From Deception to Detection: Multimodal Diagnostic Imaging and Electromyographic Assessment of Cosmetic Tampering in Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Cosmetic tampering in dromedary camels at beauty competitions remains inadequately documented. This comprehensive study evaluated 5,365 camels using integrated diagnostic imaging and electromyography to assess tampering prevalence and detection methods. One thousand and ninety-five camels (20.4%) showed cosmetic tampering, predominantly lip stretching, followed by subcutaneous air injection, nasal fillers, elevated testosterone, and lip binding, with less frequent cases of lip filler injection, nostril abscessation, ear cropping, nerve anaesthesia, and hump filler injection. Ultrasonography was the most sensitive diagnostic tool, discriminating normal from manipulated tissues by identifying hypoechoic or anechoic foci. Radiography revealed radiolucent areas in acute cases and soft tissue opacities with calcifications chronically, while CT imaging delineated tissue tearing, oedema, and hyperdense deposits. Infrared thermography showed thermal asymmetry in manipulated regions, and EMG demonstrated progressive muscle activity decline, with near-complete suppression in locally anaesthetised animals. Multimodal imaging combined with electrodiagnostic techniques reliably detected cosmetic tampering, with ultrasonography as the primary diagnostic tool while radiography, CT, infrared thermography, and EMG provided complementary assessment enabling differentiation between recent and chronic manipulations. This multimodal protocol constitutes a comprehensive diagnostic framework, in which each technique targets specific forms of cosmetic tampering, ensuring that the combined application minimises the likelihood of any manipulation or fraudulent practice remaining undetected. These findings highlight significant health and welfare risks, supporting the need for routine screening and regulatory enforcement at camel competitions to detect and regulate such unethical practices.