Changes in the serum biochemistry in baby alpacas with diarrhea

The aim of this study was to determine alterations in blood biochemistry parameters in baby alpacas with infectious diarrhea. Eighty alpacas from Junin and Pasco regions (Peru) were used in the study. The animals were grouped by age in: less than 1 month old (10 control and 40 with diarrhea) and 1-2 months old (10 control and 20 with diarrhea). Clinical diarrhea had 2-3 days of presentation at the time of sampling. Determinations of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, calcium, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were made. Biochemical parameters, except glucose, significantly changed in diarrheic animals with respect to controls. In the animals with diarrhea the total protein, albumin and calcium levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05), while the alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased (p<0.05).