Surgical and pathological interventions of oropharyngeal and laryngeal disorders in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Aim: This study aimed to characterize the clinical, hematobiochemical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, laryngoscopic, gross, and histopathological features of oropharyngeal and laryngeal disorders, epulis (osteolipoma and osseous metaplasia), dulla entrapment (tonsillitis and sialadenitis), and obstructive laryngeal mass (mycotic pyogranulomatous laryngitis) and to describe the surgical procedures used for their management in dromedary camels. Methods: Oropharyngeal and laryngeal lesions in four camels were evaluated through comprehensive clinical, imaging, hematobiochemical, and pathological assessments. Results: One camel with epulis is presented with a large mandibular mass causing partial oral obstruction, impaired mastication, and swallowing. Radiographs showed a soft tissue density mass on the right cranial mandible. Two camels are presented with dulla entrapment, dysphagia, neck stiffness, and mild respiratory distress. The camel with tonsillitis exhibited dark pinpoint mucosal lesions on the surface of the soft palate with spiny feed impaction; however, the camel with sialadenitis had multiple purulent abscesses in the dulla and submandibular swelling. The fourth camel with obstructive laryngeal mass had a marked respiratory difficulty, and the radiographs revealed a large, irregular soft-tissue mass within the laryngeal lumen. Ultrasonography showed an echogenic, variably anechoic mass, and laryngoscopy confirmed luminal mass obstruction. After surgical removal of these affections in the four camels, histopathology revealed osteolipoma and osseous metaplasia, velar suppurative tonsillitis, suppurative sialadenitis of the minor palatine salivary glands, and mycotic pyogranulomatous laryngitis, respectively. Conclusion: This study reports four oropharyngeal and laryngeal disorders in camels with obstructive clinical signs. Imaging, laryngoscopy, and histopathology enabled accurate diagnosis, and timely-applied surgery is effective for managing these conditions and rescuing the lives of affected camels.