Physiopathology of diarrhea in the camel calf in Morocco. Clinical signs and metabolic distrubances

Abstract

Diarrhea in camel calf is Morocco main camel disease. In a field study, 58 diarrheic camel calves and 20 healthy ones from 30 South of Morocco herds were clinically examined. Blood and feces samples were also performed. On average the general condition of the camel calves appeared relatively little affected. Marked metabolic disturbances in sick camel calves were: hematocrit increase (39 vs. 29%), natremia decrease (152 vs. 155 mmol/l), bicarbonatemia decrease (22 vs. 25 mmol/l), creatinin increase (97 vs. 86 µmol/l) and hypoglycemia (6.5 vs. 7.7 mmol/l). They indicated a hypotonic dehydration with compensated acidosis. Colibacillosis was observed in a third of the cases and salmonellosis (Salmonella enteritidis) in 8.5% of them. No cryptosporidiosis was observed.