Camel Diseases in Jordan

Data relating to camel diseases in Jordan is scarce, from both a clinical and pathological point of view. Thus, an epidemiological study was designed to study camel diseases based on systematic methods. A total of 369 living and 156 slaughtered camels of different sex, age and breeds in four different areas of Jordan were used. These areas include Al-Badia, Amman, Al-Ramtha and Jordan Valley. After a general clinical examination, blood, fecal and skin samples were taken. Also, samples were taken from slaughtered camels with lesions for bacteriological and histopathological examinations. According to the result of the study, the incidence of the diseases and/or conditions was classified into 3 different categories: common, less common and rare. Among the common diseases and/or conditions were: 98% gastrointestinal parasites, 100% tick infestation, 83% mange, 44.2% hydated cyst, 33% trypanosomiasis, 33% nasal myiasis, and 21.79% plastic foreign bodies. Less commonly occurring diseases were mastitis, 3.5% pneumonia, 2.1% ringworm, 1.2% liver abscess, 1.92% onchocerciasis and 1.9% infertility. Very rare conditions were rabies, tetanus, tumors and congenital defects. Among the most common respiratory infections were nasal myiasis, pneumonia, pulmonary congestion, emphysema, and pneumoconiosis. Common digestive disorders were impaction, foreign bodies and enteritis. Infertility is the major cause of early culling of female camels. Dystocia, retained placenta and vaginal prolapsed, although rarely occurring conditions, were sometimes seen in camels in Al-Badia region.