Histopathological Observations of Haemorrhagic Enteritis in Camel (Camelus dromedaries) – A Case Report

The camel (Camelus dromedarius) is an important working productive animal in the arid and semiarid areas. Camel is used in agriculture and in addition, is employed for many other allied works. In earlier days, camel was used as baggage animals by pilgrims, for ancillary military purposes also its use was recommended. Water carrying is another important function, carried out by the camel both for nomads and static settlements when these are not close to water supply. Intestine has major importance in gastrointestinal tract with respect to clinical and pathological aspect. Intestinal tract serves useful function in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Any change in the nature of intestinal wall will obviously affects these functions, well being of the animal and its productivity. The intestine is very sensitive to toxins, infections and vascular damage. Enteritis is one of the major diseases that affect the intestine. In this study, carcass of camel was submitted for post- mortem examination. The small intestine was examined and noticed that the haemorrhages varied in different cases from punctiform to ecchymotic types. The haemorrhagic lesions were visible even through serosal surface of the intestine. These were deep–red to deep-brown in colour and in almost all cases, they were patchy not generalized. Microscopically, the wall of the intestine showed focal extravasation of blood. This was most prominent in the lamina propria of the villi, erosion of the epithelium with accompanying cellular infiltration comprising of red blood cells and mononuclear cells was also seen. Most of the villi were found to be congested and extremely denuded.