A Comprehensive Review of Diseases in Camels (Camelus spp.): Infectious, Parasitic, and Non-Infectious Disorders

Camels (Camelus spp.) are vital livestock in arid regions, providing milk, meat, fiber, leather, fuel, and transportation. As pseudo ruminants with three stomach compartments, they are uniquely adapted to desert environments through features such as humps for fat storage, long legs, and specialized ocular and nasal structures. Despite their resilience, camels are susceptible to a wide range of diseases affecting multiple organ systems, including digestive, respiratory, urinary, cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal, dermatological, ophthalmic, and reproductive systems. Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites, as well as non-infectious conditions like nutritional deficiencies, trauma, and plant poisoning, are commonly reported. Bacterial pneumonia, rabies, dermatophytosis, and ectoparasitic infestations such as scabies are particularly prevalent. Clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment often parallel those in other large ruminants, though some conditions are camel-specific. Research on camel diseases, particularly in India, is limited, emphasizing the need for systematic studies to establish baseline data, guide therapeutic strategies, and improve health management for sustainable camel productivity.