Is a massive hump ever a bad sign?

[ozcamelgirl]

Hi all
This might be no problem or one problem or several different ones - but any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated...

Coco the dromadery has always had a really big hump and even when feed was lower she didn't seem to lose it at all. It's so big and round that it wouldn't be possible for it to be any bigger - it's like she has a huge ball in there! I've always put it down to her being in really good shape and finding enough food to stay that way. In the past she has mostly not seemed ill at all and was always relaxed and looked content. Seemed a little awkward in the back legs once a couple of months ago, for a couple of days, but it didn't seem to be worrying her too much.
Lately she hasn't looked as relaxed and today she looked really strained, and is walking stiffly on her back legs. There's nothing obviously wrong with her legs, but her left one kept slipping sideways while walking and when I felt down her legs she kicked out at me when I got the lower part of that leg.
I got her sitting which she protested about more than usual.
I felt her hump properly while she was down and it was hard as rock. It doesn't fluctuate with the amount of feed available like Tessa's does.

I think she's maybe around 14 years old, but not sure. She's not a spring chicken, anyway.

I have a vet that has treated Tessa a couple of times but he doesn't know much about camels. If anyone can contribute anything as to what might be happening...

[3droms]

I also have a big humped female. She has always had a big hump regardless of what food she is given. The others camels weight has fluctuated more. Someone told me that females with super sized humps are often sterile so I have wondered if the hump size is somewhat affected by hormones?

My camel is younger and has never had leg problems. She might have just pulled a muscle?

[may]

Hi ozcamelgirl!

My experience reagarding humps with "balls" in it:

I worked with a male gelded camel once. He got bitten on the head by another camel, that's why he was rested until it was healed. In this time he managed to eat so much that he had the biggest, most round hump anyone had ever seen before. That was not nice somehow...
Then there is "Mishi"-one of my favorite female camels in a working camel string. She is nearly 20 yrs now and your description of Coco matches her quite well. Her hump is always round and big, even when her mates loose weight. So it's okay I think.

About the stiff legs: I would observe it. Look out if her usual behavior has changed (e.g. does she avoid to sit down and have a roll in the sand? if she sits down on her own decision, is she doing it slower as ususal/obvious in pain?) If she had pulled a muscle it might be an idea to walk/lead her for some time for a week or so, to let the muscle get warm- if that's the problem the stiffiness will get away after 20 to 30 minutes of walking.
If the problems persists - I would try to find out what it is.

All the best!
may

[Donna]

I too have one of my (now) 4 adult females with a big round hump. It stays big even (like is said before) when she looses weight in her lower body. That's when it looks so awkward. She's definitely not sterile, as she is about to have her 10th baby for me pretty soon. As far as her stiffness, maybe she just pulled something or has a rock between her toe. If you can, tie her down to the ground and then you can check out her foot without getting it in your face. She might have a painful crack in her foot, if you see something, you could rub on some sort of ointment on it after you clean it out. Hope she get's better.

[camel drover]

big humps are usually from over feeding !! cut down the food and they will shrink! camel (S) may not be happy but they will get smaller the book "Camels of the out back" author h.m. Baker.. "Geldings on good feed and no work, there humps would get so large if they ever laid over they could not get up and would die right there where they lay"!! most cows that do not raise there babies (nurse) for 6 to 9 months retain to much body fat ! let them keep ther baby and dont over feed problem will solve its self most of the time.. (not all most)