Dermatologic and Faecal Helminthic Egg Investigation in Dromedary Camels at a Livestock Market in Doha, Qatar

This study was aimed to assess cutaneous conditions and gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism of camels kept in a livestock market in Doha, Qatar. Fifteen animals showing skin lesions were examined through macroscopic inspection, adhesive tape impression cytology (ATIC) and superficial skin scraping cytology (SSSC). Fresh faeces from nine camels were tested using Mini-FLOTAC. Alopecia with or without hyperpigmentation and crusting was recorded in 13 animals, nodules/macules in one and mixed lesions in one. The skin lesions were mainly found on the neck, shoulders, abdomen and hump. On ATIC, larval (seed) ticks were detected in two animals; hyperkeratosis in eight; and exudative dermatitis with inflammatory cells in three. On SSSC, hair shaft arthroconidia consistent with dermatophytosis were observed in five camels, accompanied by hair shaft thickening, cuticular lifting or loss, trichoptilosis and altered melanin granules; yeast-like bodies were found in four cases. Background scale/scab material was common; lesion severity was mild in four cases and severe in 11. No inflammatory cells were detected on SSSC. Mini-FLOTAC identified non-sporulated oocysts of Eimeria cameli and dromedari in three faecal samples; no nematode or cestode eggs were detected. These findings highlight heterogeneous but predominantly superficial dermatologic processes and protozoal GI parasitism in market camels. These preliminary data prove that skin disorders are a welfare concern and are useful to suggest recommendations to improve the health and welfare of camels kept on markets. Further and larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.