Book a vet visit soon
Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.
A rare inherited immune disorder of young camelids (mostly llamas) causing repeated infections from about 6-24 months of age.
- Category
- Other conditions
- Urgency
- Book a vet visit soon
- Also called
- Juvenile llama immunodeficiency syndrome
Signs & symptoms
- Recurrent infections that don't respond well to treatment
- Poor growth
- Death before 3 years
What causes it?
Likely inherited defect in antibody production.
Risk factors
- Specific bloodlines
How vets diagnose it
Blood IgG levels and exclusion of other causes.
Treatment
Supportive only.
Prevention
- Avoid repeating matings that produced affected animals
Research & references
PubMed lists 6 peer-reviewed papers on this topic in camelids. The most relevant include:
- Ill thrift and juvenile llama immunodeficiency syndrome. Hutchison JM, Garry F The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 1994. PubMed 7953965 · DOI · cited 2×
- Flow cytometric analysis of an immunodeficiency disorder affecting juvenile llamas. Davis WC, Heirman LR, Hamilton MJ et al. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 2000. PubMed 10760393 · DOI · cited 25×
- Immunodeficiency syndrome associated with wasting and opportunistic infection in juvenile llamas: 12 cases (1988-1990). Hutchison JM, Garry FB, Johnson LW et al. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1992. PubMed 1429138 · cited 5×
- Bovine leukemia virus infection in a juvenile alpaca with multicentric lymphoma. Lee LC, Scarratt WK, Buehring GC et al. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2012. PubMed 22942445 · cited 26×
- Immunodeficiency syndrome in a 3-year-old llama. Sivasankar M The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 1999. PubMed 10200887
- Prospective characterization of the clinicopathologic and immunologic features of an immunodeficiency syndrome affecting juvenile llamas. Hutchison JM, Garry FB, Belknap EB et al. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 1995. PubMed 8746696 · DOI · cited 12×
Frequently asked questions
What is juvenile Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS) in alpacas?
A rare inherited immune disorder of young camelids (mostly llamas) causing repeated infections from about 6-24 months of age.
What are the signs of juvenile Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS)?
Recurrent infections that don't respond well to treatment, poor growth and death before 3 years.
How do you prevent juvenile Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS)?
Avoid repeating matings that produced affected animals.
Is juvenile Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS) an emergency?
Book a vet visit soon. Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.