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Chapter 30

Acreage Pets: Alpacas, Llamas,

Miniature Horses, Miniature Goats,

and Pot-Bellied Pigs

Beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an in- sheep of the Andes. Llamas are the more aggressive of
creasing number of families moved from our city out the two animals. Both species are quite inquisitive
into the “country.” In fact, these urban pioneers moved (Figure 30-1) and seem to enjoy the company of humans
into transition lands midway between the city and sur- (Figure 30-2).
rounding farmlands, which provided the relative soli- Not unexpectedly, both animals seem to suffer from
tude of country living, albeit on a much smaller scale, the same diseases: crooked legs (angular limb deformi-

with the amenities of the nearby city. ties), dietary deficiencies (metabolic bone disease),
At about the same time, the profi tability of nontra- gastrointestinal impactions and foreign bodies, and a
ditional livestock, such as pot-bellied pigs, miniature varied assortment of injuries, including fractures and
horses, ostriches, llamas, alpacas, and elk, was coming infections.
under increasing economic scrutiny. As ranchers began
to divest themselves of these exotic species, often at Radiography
bargain-basement prices, acreage dwellers were quick
to react. As a result, many of these animals found Alpacas are rather timid animals that often become
themselves living the good life, although not always apprehensive when brought to the Radiology Depart-
in the care of people who understood their unique ment (Figure 30-3). A cria (baby alpaca) is best brought
needs. to medical imaging accompanied by the mother alpaca
Inevitably, these animals required veterinary care, (Figure 30-4). A sizable juvenile or adult is best imaged
including medical imaging. Initially, our imaging in a large animal x-ray facility (Figure 30-5), whereas
efforts were almost entirely devoted to sonographic a cria may be x-rayed in either a large or small animal
conformation or denial of pregnancy, especially in pot- suite (Figure 30-6).
bellied pigs and miniature horses, but soon expanded
into a full-fledged medical imaging service. A selective Diseases

sampling of the various disorders affl icting these
animals follows, with examples of how we go about Limb Curvature and Deformity. The legs of most
getting the desired images. newborn alpacas and llamas are to some degree
crooked when born. However, these natural angula-
tions soon disappear as the cria grows and gains
III ALPACAS AND LLAMAS strength. It is only when such deformities persist that
veterinary advice is usually sought. True angular
Alpacas and llamas are a kind of camel, or Camelids. deformities may involve one or both legs and nearly
They are distinguished from one another by two things: always the forelimbs. Their precise cause is often
their size and hair coat. The llama is two to three times unknown. In some instances, curvature in the distal
as large as an alpaca and has a coarse hair coat, as radius is evident, incriminating asymmetrical devel-

opposed to the alpaca’s fi ne fleece. These animals also opment of the distal radial physis (Figure 30-7).
differ in purpose: the alpaca is prized for its fi ne coat, Less frequently, one or more carpal bones exhibit
and the llama is valued for its strength and endurance. abnormal morphology: increased porosity, diminished
In other words, the llama might be termed the ship of size, and abnormally round shape, touching off a diag-
the Andes, and the alpaca could be considered the nostic debate as to whether the animal’s carpi are
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