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Cervical ectopia cordis in a neonatal camel (Camelus dromedarius): A rare case report from North Kordofan, Sudan
Jadkrem Jahlla Mohamed Ahmed1, Ahmed Mustafa Ahmed Hussein2, Abdelmalik Ibrahim Khalafalla3,4
1Jahlla Vet Clinic and Pharmacy, Um Rawaba, Kordofan, Sudan.
Insights
Ectopia cordis (EC), a rare congenital heart defect, was documented for the first time in a camel calf in Sudan. The calf, born with its heart outside the thoracic cavity, unfortunately died two days after birth.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Congenital Anomalies
- Cardiovascular Development
Background:
- Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital condition where the heart is outside the thoracic cavity.
- While documented in various mammals, EC has not been previously reported in camelids.
- This highlights a gap in the veterinary literature regarding congenital anomalies in camels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first documented case of Ectopia cordis in a camel.
- To describe the clinical presentation and outcome of this rare congenital defect in a neonatal camel calf.
- To contribute to the understanding of congenital anomalies in camelids.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a neonatal camel calf presenting with Ectopia cordis.
- Clinical examination and observation of the calf's condition.
- Documentation of the heart's position and morphology.
Main Results:
- A neonatal camel calf presented with its heart located outside the thoracic cavity, in the ventral cervical region.
- The heart exhibited normal morphology and heartbeat.
- Despite the absence of other malformations, the calf did not survive beyond two days post-delivery.
Conclusions:
- This case represents the first documented instance of Ectopia cordis in camels in Sudan.
- The findings provide valuable data for veterinary literature on congenital anomalies in camelids.
- Further research may be needed to understand the prevalence and potential causes of EC in this species.
Background:
Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital condition in which the heart is partially or completely displaced outside the thoracic cavity. This abnormality is most commonly recognized in humans but has also been observed in dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, and goats. However, it has not been documented in camelids.
Case Description:
This case report describes the case of a neonatal camel calf born in rural Wad Ashana, North Kordofan, Sudan, who presented with EC. The heart was located in its pericardium outside the thoracic cavity, at the most ventral aspect of the cervical region. The heart exhibited a normal morphology and a normal heartbeat. Despite the absence of any additional malformations, the calf died 2 days after delivery.
Conclusion:
This case is the first documented instance of EC in camels from Sudan and offers important information for veterinary literature on congenital anomalies.
