Actinomycotic splenitis and intestinal volvulus in an alpaca (Lama pacos)

Morphologic, microbiologic, and polymerase chain reaction amplification techniques were used to evaluate an alpaca (Lama pacos) with splenitis and intestinal volvulus. The intestinal volvulus produced a severe necrosuppurative typhlocolitis associated with vascular thrombosis and was most likely the cause of death of this animal. In addition, this animal had multiple coalescing abscesses affecting most of the splenic tissue. The isolation of Actinomyces spp. from the spleen and the morphology of the colonies when stained with Gram and Steiner stains support a diagnosis of splenic actinomycosis. Copyright 1993 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.