Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage in racing camels
Akbar, S.J.; Derksen, F.J.; Billah, A.M.; Werney, U.
Veterinary Record 135(26): 624-625
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7716872 Document Number: 434675
Twenty camels (8 geldings and 12 females), aged 3-10 years that had performed poorly in their previous race were examined within 3 h of galloping for 3 km or racing over 7 km. Fibreoptic examination showed that blood was present in the airway of 6 camels; in 2 camels it was only visible in the middle portion of the trachea, in 2 it was in the proximal trachea and one had blood in the pharynx. One camel had blood throughout the respiratory tract which was visible at the external nares. Abnormal secretions or lesions were not observed in any of the camels examined although bots were present in 15; 5 of which had blood in the airway. Cytological examination of tracheal wash fluid detected epithelial cells and some mononuclear cells and red blood cells and haemosiderophages were present in all the camels with exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and in one camel without EIPH. EIPH was more prevalent in the older camels, run over longer distances and in animals with nasal bot infestation.