Australian veterinary journal
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Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare, familial disease of unknown aetiology characterised by intra-alveolar formation and accumulation of microliths. Multiple formalin-fixed tissues were submitted from a 5-month-old female alpaca that died suddenly without significant clinical signs. ⋯ Although the hepatic lesion was the likely cause of death, PAM was an incidental finding that has not been reported previously in alpacas. An overview of PAM, including pathogenesis and histopathological characteristics, are discussed in relation to the concurrent hepatic disease in the present case.