Hyperfructosaminemia in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) is associated with hyperglycemia, hypofructosaminemia with decreased plasma proteins, and poor nutritional status

Objective: To describe and compare clinical and laboratory findings in alpacas with hypofructosaminemia (fructosamine low [FL]), normofructosaminemia, and hyperfructosaminemia (fructosamine high [FH]) in order to identify associations of abnormal plasma fructosamine (PF) with other clinical and laboratory findings in alpacas.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with clinical and laboratory data of 125 alpacas with FL (PF < 252 µmol/L; n = 19), normofructosaminemia (PF, 252 to 425 µmol/L; n = 93), and FH (PF > 425 µmol/L; n = 13) presented to a veterinary teaching hospital from January 2022 through January 2023. Findings of the animals were compared using descriptive statistics and comparisons (Kruskal-Wallis test, 1-way ANOVA, t test, or Mann-Whitney U test). Resulting diagnoses were tested for associations with fructosamine using the 2-sided Fisher exact test.

Results: FL occurred more frequently in crias than adults and was associated with lower bodyweight, body condition score, PCV, total protein, albumin, and globulin. Hyperfructosaminemia was associated with hyperglycemia. While a large proportion of the alpacas with FL had cachexia (8 of 19) and/or anemia (6 of 19), the alpacas with FH were given many different diagnoses.

Conclusions: The available data suggest that FH in alpacas is associated with hyperglycemia, whereas FL is associated with decreased plasma proteins and poor nutritional status.

Clinical relevance: PF is rarely used in routine diagnostics in alpacas, but it can aid in the interpretation of plasma glucose, plasma proteins, and nutritional status.