Black oil sunflower seed ingestion and suspected acute lipid toxicity in 4 alpacas

Four adult female alpacas from the same property in Loomis, CA developed clinical signs of recumbency, lethargy, anorexia, and had abdominal pain at least 48 h after incidental ingestion of a large volume of black oil sunflower seeds. One alpaca died, one was euthanized and necropsied, and two alpacas were treated by Loomis Equine Medical Center. The necropsied alpaca was found to have ingested numerous black oil sunflower seeds along with erosion and ulceration of the distal esophagus, C1, and C2 chambers. Ancillary tests performed were without significant findings. Treatment for the suspected acute toxicity in two alpacas included IV fluids, injectable antibiotics, and activated charcoal by orogastric tube. Sunflower seeds and lipid containing fluid were recovered from one of the alpacas that was euthanized due to poor prognosis. Overall, three of the four alpacas died or were euthanized, and one survived with outpatient treatment.

Our current case series shows significant morbidity and high mortality from the ingestion of highly available lipid, in the form of easily shelled black oil sunflower seeds. The large amount of lipid inhibits the activity of the forestomach bacteria and coats the fibrous feed, overwhelming the body's ability to metabolize unsaturated lipids. We also surmise that the seed hulls are traumatic to the camelid's esophagus and forestomach mucosa causing mucosal ulceration and eventual sepsis. We conclude that excessive levels of lipid may be fatal in alpacas, and that diets with high lipid content such as black oil sunflower seeds should not be fed to camelids.