CAL: Camelid Anaemia

Question 1

> cause of the murmur here?
3 sick alpacas out of 60 herd
- poor BCS
- lethargy, dperession, anorexia, cold, pale mm, poor gut sounds, ^HH ^ RR
- 2 have murmurs grade II/VI, systolic PMI left
- 1 alpaca 5 mo pregnant, has just weaned 1 cria, 1 aplaca 3mo preg is 20 months old

Answer 1

Haemic murmur d/t changes in viscosity of blood

Question 2

Stocking density recommendation for alpacas?

Answer 2

5-7 adult alpacas per acre

Question 3

Vaccinations needed by alpacas?

Answer 3

• vax against clsotridial dz annually and against BTV8 in UK
• worming (with more than just ivermectin!)

Question 4

What feacal sample test is more sensitvie for camelids?

Answer 4

Stoll’s test

Question 5

See CAL for good overview of ruminant eggs

Answer 5

-

Question 6

What wormer is nematodirus not sensitive to?

Answer 6

Avermectins

Question 7

How can parasites and aanaemia be linked?

Answer 7

Overwhelming GI parasitism can cause anaemia and hypoproteinaemia
- invovlvement of haemonchus suspected if severe anaemia

Question 8

How is haemochus dx?

Answer 8

• feacal culture (takes 7-10d)

- PM

Question 9

Tx/management of severely anaemic alpacas d/t overwhelming nematodirus and strongyle burden?

Answer 9

> anthelmintics
- 5d course fenbendazole (20mg/kg dose PO)
- levamisole (6mg/kg SQ / 8mg/kg PO) beware OD -> Neuro signs
nutrition
- supplementary hay, sugar beet, chopped alfalfa
whole blood transfusions
- find donor from herd, ideally male
- check donor is healthy (parasites likely herd wide probelm)
- 1 unit (450ml bag) of normal PCV should be sufficient to bring recipient into normal range (14-18%)
- transfuse through in-line filter (blood administration set)
- recover well,k may start eating mid-transfusion!
oxygen if moribund
* NOT Fluids (dilute blood)