Gastric squamous cell carcinoma and fascioliasis in a llama

A 5-year-old intact male llama (Llama glama) with gastric squamous cell carcinoma and generalized metastasis is presented. Weight loss, anorexia and cachexia were the presenting clinical signs. Abnormal laboratory findings included neutrophilia, lymphopenia, increased serum activity of hepatic enzymes, mildly increased serum urea nitrogen concentration and elevated protein concentration and nucleated cell count in the peritoneal fluid. Fasciola hepatica ova were identified by fecal sedimentation examination. The presence of flukes, as well as carcinoma metastasis, probably contributed to the increased serum hepatic enzyme activity. Similarities to gastric squamous cell carcinoma in the equine and bovine species are discussed. This case suggests that neoplasia, although rarely reported in the llama, must be considered in the differential diagnostic list for anorexia and weight loss in the llama.