AASRP Research Summary
Clinical description, diagnosis and treatment of hyperkeratotic hoof pads in a dromedary camel
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2025
17:15
|
| Author: |
Rhyannon Moore-Foster |
| Clinic: |
Colorado State University |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Fort Collins, CO 80524 |
Rhyannon Moore-Foster, DVM, PhD
1
;
Dean Hendrickson, DVM, DAVS
1
;
Samantha Haw, DVM, MS, DACVIM
1
;
1Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Introduction:
Abnormalities in the feet of Old-World Camelids (OWC) have remained largely undocumented. Current literature has described hyperkeratosis occurring due to idiopathic superficial necrolytic dermatitis and zinc responsive dermatosis in New-World Camelids (NWC), and psoroptic or chorioptic mange in OWC and NWC. However, the anatomical locations these diseases affect do not include the footpads. This report describes the proliferation or hyperkeratosis of the hoof tissue in an OWC. Clinical presentation, diagnostic work up, and treatment and disease management protocols are discussed.
Materials and methods:
An approximately 14-year-old intact male camel presented to the Livestock Ambulatory Service, Colorado State University, for annual vaccinations and evaluation of a bilateral front limb lameness that had appeared approximately one month earlier. For the two months prior to examination his caretakers reported he had spent more time cushing than “normal” and was increasingly reluctant to rise. However, according to reports, once he was up and moving he “appeared to warm up” out of his lameness. Physical palpation of his front limbs did not reveal any areas of swelling, warmth or crepitus. His front foot pads were both irregular on the walking surface with noticeable hyperkeratosis. After administering anesthesia, radiographs were taken of both front feet, and blood was taken for a CBC, chemistry and trace mineral panel.
Results:
Radiographic Findings:
- Minimal osteophytosis of the lateral and dorsal aspect of the lateral fetlock joint.
- Marked increased keratinized proliferation of the medial aspect of the 3rd digit of the right forefoot.
- Mild metacarpophalangeal joint osteophytosis on the right forefoot.
- Overgrown right fore third digital pad
Serum biochemistry: Glucose 304 mg/dL (H), BUN 25 mg/dL (H), Iron 98 ug/dL (N), TRIG 33 mg/dL (N)
CBC: Leukocytosis 19.6x103 cells/uL, neutrophilia 18.2x103 cells/uL
Histopathology: Presumptive orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with abundant coccobacilli between the layers of keratinocytes. No inflammatory cell infiltrates, or fungal organisms found.
Fungal Culture: Paecilomyces species
Aerobic Culture: mixed heavy growth.
Trace Mineral Panel: Copper 0.89 ug/mL, Molybdenum 0.8 ng/mL, Zinc 0.47 ug/mL, Selenium 386 ng/mL.
Significance:
To our knowledge, reports of this clinical presentation have never been published for OWCs, making this a potentially undocumented process. The bloodwork results were consistent with a stress response and fasting prior to anesthesia. The mineral panel did not show diagnostic results consistent with low blood concentrations of zinc. The Paecilomyces sp. fungi have been previously described as a environmental pathogen, and while there have been documented cases of it causing respiratory illness in camels, in this case the finding is likely due to the environment contamination. Due to the results of the histopathology report it was recommended that Epsom salt foot baths and regularly scheduled foot trims occur to flatten the walking surface on both front feet pads. As increases in clinical lameness become more apparent, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory can be given to help support the patient’s comfort as needed.
