Atrial Fibrillation in a Racing Camel: Welfare Significance and Prospects for Genetic Selection

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a clinically relevant arrhythmia reported in several athletic mammals but rarely documented in racing camels. Here, we describe a 4-year-old male dromedary presenting with reduced performance and transient collapse during galloping. Resting heart rate ranged from 22 to 24 bpm, increasing to 40–45 bpm during exercise. Telemetric electrocardiography (ECG) (KRUTECH Televet. 100, KRUUSE, Denmark) revealed absent P waves, irregular atrial activity, and variable R–R intervals, confirming AF. Behavioural manifestations – reluctance to continue exercise and syncope – were indicative of impaired cardiovascular output and highlight the direct welfare implications of AF. The use of a telemetric ECG allowed dynamic, real-time assessment under field conditions and prevented artefacts associated with stationary monitoring systems. From a wider perspective, systematic cardiovascular surveillance in camel populations may enable earlier diagnosis, identification of environmental and physiological risk factors, and creation of large-scale datasets suitable for estimating heritability and exploring molecular markers. These tools could ultimately inform selective breeding strategies aimed at reducing AF prevalence and improving welfare in racing camels. Such an approach aligns with current trends in human and veterinary cardiology that emphasise exercise-based arrhythmia phenotyping and non-invasive, remote ECG monitoring for early detection and risk stratification. Information © The Authors 2026