Peritonitis associated with passage of the placenta into the abdominal cavity in a llama

Following parturition, a female llama was admitted to our hospital with a tear in the dorsal area of the vagina and peritonitis. The llama was clinically normal for 7 days after which its condition started to deteriorate, and the llama died 11 days after admission. On necropsy examination, the intact placenta was found in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, we suggest that in llamas with vaginal tears after parturition, it may be useful to immediately secure the fetal membranes with umbilical tape to the outside of the llama to ensure that the placenta will pass through the vulva. Additionally, in llamas with uterine or vaginal tears in which a retained placenta is suspected but cannot be identified in the uterus, exploratory laparotomy should be performed immediately, even if the llama appears clinically normal.