Skin Diseases in the Alpaca (Vicugna Pacos): A Literature Review and Retrospective Analysis of 68 Cases (Cornell University 1997–2006)

This retrospective study reviewed 68 alpacas with skin diseases at Cornell University from 1997 to 2006. It found that 5.6% of alpacas presented to the university hospital had dermatological issues, and skin-biopsy specimens made up 24.4% of alpaca biopsy submissions. The most common diseases were bacterial infections (22%), neoplasms, cysts, and hamartomas (19%), presumed immunological disorders (12%), and ectoparasitisms (10%). New conditions identified included intertrigo, various hamartomas, lymphoma, hybrid follicular cysts, melanocytoma, anagen and telogen defluxion, presumed insect-bite hypersensitivity, ichthyosis, and possible hereditary bilateral aural haematomas and chondritis. The study's findings were compared with existing literature.