Summary Report of Choanal Atresia and Wry Face in Camelids
LaRue W. Johnson DVM, PhD
Facial defects in camelids are relatively common as compared to other species. The now deceased
Professor Horst Leipold of Kansas State University was a recognized "guru" of congenital and genetic
conditions. He is quoted as saying that "If the incidence of a condition seems unusually high as compared
to other species, chances are it is genetic".
The two most commonly recognized congenital facial defects in both llamas and alpacas are Choanal
Atresia (CA) and Wry Face (WF). While possible causes of these defects would include chromosomal
aberrations, trauma, en utero positioning and Teratogenic effects, genetics appears to be involved.
CA is defined as a failure of the internal nares (choanae) to develop the normal opening. It may be
complete or partial, unilateral or bilateral as well as variable in structure ranging from membranous to
boney. Consequently, affected individuals will likely have variable manifestations with the most severe
being total inability to breathe through the nose at birth making it impossible to nurse without aspirating
milk. The gold standard for making a diagnosis employs contrast media placed in the nose and diagnostic
imaging to demonstrate blockage.
While heroic but ill advised surgical efforts can be employed to correct the problem, generally affected
individuals are euthanatized soon after birth. Researchers at Oregon State University (Smith, Timm et al.)
conducted extensive necropsy and breeding studies with goals to establish mode of heritability and
identification of carrier llamas. Many affected individuals were found to also have facial distortions like
WF, cardiac and limb alterations as well as Arhinencephalia. Breeding trial results were erratic and
planned DNA studies were not completed. They concluded that their research supports the presumption
that the problem is passed by both the male and female and is not a sex linked problem.
WF (Campylognathia) is by definition a maxillary jaw distortion that can occur in varying degrees and
progress throughout life resulting in dental malocclusion. Most cases are present at birth and may have
concomitant CA as well as cardiac abnormalities. Breeding trial research I performed at Colorado State
University using "proven" carriers, presumed carriers as well as affected male and female llamas
produced a 10% occurrence which is much greater than the natural occurrence of <1%. My conclusions
from the study include that WF is a genetic problem, selective breeding will increase WF occurrence, the
inheritance is to date not understood but likely involves multiple recessive genes with both parents
contributing and that CA and WF have a genetic association.
From a survey I conducted of 34 respected camelid veterinary colleagues, I received 18 responses to
questions related to CA and WF. These individuals had and average of 17.6 years working with llamas
and or alpacas upon which to base their opinions and recollections. Their averaged response to %
prevalence of congenital defects in llamas was 3.4% with alpacas 4.0%. A total of 174 llama and 153
alpaca cases of CA were recorded along with 46 llama and 69 alpaca WF cases. 18 examples of CA and
WF occurring together were reported. Of all congenital defects, respondents expressed that CA
represented approximately 15% and WF 5% in both llamas and alpacas. The prevalence of CA from all
births was estimated to be .75% for llamas and .48% for alpacas while for WF, .48% for llamas and .35%
for alpacas. When asked if camelid genetics are involved in the occurrence of CA, 16 responded yes and 2
probably. For WF, 13 responded yes, 2 probably, 2 not clear and 1 no.
There is no question that CA and WF need further research. With the reported progress of the alpaca
genome research, it seems logical to utilize this tool to focus on these conditions. The camelid community
will need to provide credibility, capital and cooperation to accomplish progress in the goal to further
understand and hopefully eliminate these conditions.
