Conjoined twins in one-humped camel (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>)

Abstract

This report describes a case of thoraco-omphalopygopagus type of conjoined twins in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The conjoined camel fetuses were observed during postmortem at the Maiduguri Metropolitan Abattoir. Necropsy and radiography were carried out. There was thoracolumbar scoliosis in both fetuses, common thoracic and abdominal cavities separated by a diaphragm, fully developed but separate body features such as head, neck, limbs and tail. The heart, respiratory system and spleen were also separate but the fetuses shared a single large liver. Each fetus had separate gastrointestinal tract from mouth to cranial two third of jejunum that fused to form single caudal one third of jejunum and extended to the rectum. There were four ureters connected to a single bladder. There were bilateral kidneys and testicles located in the abdomen of each fetus. The findings of this report may assist to surgically resolve such cases when delivered alive for the survival of the twins or one of them. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of thoraco-omphalopygopagus twin in one-humped camel.

Key words: Conjoined; thoraco-omphalopygopagus; twins; One-humped Camel.