Navel Ill (Umbilical Infection) in Alpacas: Signs & Treatment

Urgent — contact your vet today

Early treatment makes a big difference. Don't wait more than a day.

Infection entering through the newborn's umbilical cord, which can spread to joints (joint ill) and the bloodstream.

Category: Cria (newborn) problems
Urgency: Urgent
Also called: Omphalitis, Joint ill

Signs & symptoms

Hot, swollen or draining navel
Fever, depression
Swollen, painful joints and lameness

Related symptom guides: Limping (Lameness), Swollen Leg or Joint, Fever (High Temperature).

What causes it?

Bacteria from dirty bedding entering the wet umbilical stump.

Risk factors

Dirty birthing areas
Failure of passive transfer

How vets diagnose it

Physical exam and ultrasound of the umbilical structures.

Treatment

Antibiotics, sometimes surgery, prescribed by your vet.

Do not wait to see if it improves. Camelids hide illness, and by the time signs are obvious the problem is often advanced. Call your veterinarian.

Prevention

Dip the navel in dilute chlorhexidine or iodine solution soon after birth
Clean, dry bedding

Background

Omphalitis of newborn is the medical term for inflammation of the umbilical cord stump in the neonatal newborn period, most commonly attributed to a bacterial infection. Typically immediately after an infant is born, the umbilical cord is cut with a small remnant left behind. Normally the stump separates from the skin within 3–45 days after birth. A small amount of pus-like material is commonly seen at the base of the stump and can be controlled by keeping the stump open to air to dry. Certain bacteria can grow and infect the stump during this process and as a result significant redness and swelling may develop, and in some cases the infection can then spread through the umbilical vessels to the rest of the body. While currently an uncommon anatomical location for infection in the newborn in the United States, it has caused significant morbidity and mortality both historically and in areas where health care is less readily available. In general, when this type of infection is suspected or diagnosed, antibiotic treatment is given, and in cases of serious complications surgical management may be appropriate.From Wikipedia — “Omphalitis of newborn”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Research & references

PubMed lists 1 peer-reviewed papers on this topic in camelids. The most relevant include:

[Omphalourachitis with abscess of the urachus and rectal prolapse in a llama cria (Lama glama)]. Schwantag S, Zanolari P Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G, Grosstiere/Nutztiere, 2013. PubMed 23608893 · cited 1×

Frequently asked questions

What is navel Ill (Umbilical Infection) in alpacas?

Infection entering through the newborn's umbilical cord, which can spread to joints (joint ill) and the bloodstream.

What are the signs of navel Ill (Umbilical Infection)?

Hot, swollen or draining navel, fever, depression and swollen, painful joints and lameness.

How do you prevent navel Ill (Umbilical Infection)?

Dip the navel in dilute chlorhexidine or iodine solution soon after birth. Clean, dry bedding.

Is navel Ill (Umbilical Infection) an emergency?

Urgent — contact your vet today. Early treatment makes a big difference. Don't wait more than a day.

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.