Camelid Population Health Flashcards
- Alpacas have ____ ears; Llamas have ____ ears.
- Alpacas have a ____ topline; Llamas have a ____ topline.
- Alpacas have a ____ fleece; Llamas have a ____ fleece and ____ undercoat.
- Alpacas have a ____ tail; Llamas have a ____ tail.
- Alpacas are much ____ than llamas (size).
- Alpacas have __shorter, pointy__ ears; Llamas have __longer, curved/cresent-shaped__ ears.
- Alpacas have a __convex__ topline; Llamas have a __straight__ topline.
- Alpacas have a __soft, uniform__ fleece; Llamas have a __course outer__ fleece and __soft__ undercoat.
- Alpacas have a __low-set__ tail; Llamas have a __high-set__ tail.
- Alpacas are much __smaller__ than llamas.
Alpacas = 100-175lbs. Llamas = 200-350lbs.
- Female llama / alpaca
- Male llama / alpaca
- Baby llama / alpaca
- Hembra (F)
- Macho, gelding (M)
- Cria (baby)
Terminology for camels (male, female, baby) are the same as what animal?
Cattle
How to differentiate a Dromedary camel from a Bactrian camel.
Dromedary = 1 hump
Bactrian = 2 humps
What are common uses of camelids? (6)
- Show
- Fiber
- Breeding
- Guard animals (for livestock like sheep)
- Packing (carry luggage on trails)
- Meat
What happens if a camelid has no companion?
It becomes very stressed; they are herd animals
Nutritional requirements of camelids
- can ONLY survive on pasture
- high-quality grass hay is usually sufficient with mineral supplementation
Behavioral traits of camelids (3)
- rarely bite or kick (unless provoked)
- very social & desire companionship of other camelids or livestock
- do not like their head or legs to be touched
Cush
Sternal recumbency- will often resort to this position when stressed (e.g., during physical exam).
When is shearing performed, and why?
In spring to prevent heat stress; fleece kept for fiber production
Descibe how to BCS camelids
Palpate over mid-back and assess fat and muscle coverage b/w the DSPs and TPs. Palpate ribs.
- BCS is out of 5 (1 = emaciated, 5 = obese)
- Ideal BCS for adult = 3/5; higher for adolescents
Which teeth are camelids’ fighting teeth?
for fighting other males / animals
- Upper: canine + incisor
- Lower: cannine
What happened to this alpaca’s teeth?
Malocclusion allowed for its lower incisors to continue to erupt
Which phalanges do camelids walk on?
P2 and P3
Purpose of the compartments (C1, C2, C3) in the camelid stomach
increase surface area, aiding in more efficient digestion
How to assess camelid mucous membranes
FAMACHA - oral often pigmented
True or False: camelids are normally expressive in behavior.
False - camelids are notoriosuly STOIC.
- Can make assessing any pain or illness difficult
Important anatomical features of camelid jugular vein for venipuncture
- TPs of cervical vertebrae curve ventrally around the jugular & carotid vessels
- The esophagus lies in close position to jugular on left side
- skin can be up to 1cm thick in upper cervical region
Describe normal clinpath of camelids
- Erythrocytes are elliptical, flat and small (adaptation for high altitude: incr. SA for O2 binding)
- Lower PCV, higher RBC than other species
Common parasite found on blood smear and effect on camelid
Mycoplasma haemolamae
- most cases = subclinical, and healthy animals mount immune response
- can cause mild/moderate/severe anemia
Detaches from RBCs if slides not made quickly enough
Common chemistry panel abnormality found in camelids?
Hyperglycemia - camelids have weaker insulin responses than other species.
What type of worm is ubiquitous in camelids?
Nematodes (roundworms)
Phylum Nematoda
Parelaphostrongylus tenius
- intermediate hosts
- definitive host
- what role do camelids play
- clinical dz + prevention in camelids
Parelaphostrongylus tenius
- IH = snails & slugs
- DH = white-tail deer
- Camelids = accidental hosts
- Causes spinal cord dz
- Prevented with frequent ivermectin deworming
Parelaphostrongylus tenius
Haemonchus contortus
- how do they cause clinical disease
- common hx
- control / preventive measures
- dx
- larvae in C3 of stomach causes blood loss / anemia
- present for off-feed
- PCV < 8%
- Anthelmintic resistance = MAJOR PROBLEM!!
- Dx with FAMACHA scoring; fecal float
Eimeria macusaniensis infection (coccidiosis)
- clinical signs/findings
- dx
- tx options
- weight loss, anemia, hypoalbuminemia
- dx = HIGH specific gravity fecal float
- tx = Ponazuril (anti-protozoal)
Defecation pattern of camelids
All defecate in a communal dung pile - makes parasite control easier on pasture
Core vaccines in camelids
CD/T
- Clostridium perfringens type C & D
- Clostridium tetani
When to administer 7- and 8-way Clostridial vaccines to camelids
if living in areas of incread risks
- snake bite areas
- liver flukes present
When do most camelids get castrated
at ≥ 18 months (testosterone influences physeal closure and early castration can lead to prolonged bone growth -> joint hyperextension; OA)
long bone growth plateaus @ 18-24months
“BKX” injectable anesthetic technique in camelids
“BKX” = combination of Butorphanol, Ketamine and Xylazine. Often given to provide restraint / sedation.
Why is it so difficuly to AI female camelids?
Because they are induced ovulators
- have 10-12 follicular waves; natural breeding takes 5-50 minutes
Unpacking or Criation:
- Stage 1 duration
- Stage 2 duration
- Stage 3 duration
- Common issue
- Stage 1 = 1-2 to 6 hours
- Stage 2 = 60-90 minutes
- Stage 3 = within 6 hours
- Dystocia is common b/c of length of neck & limbs
Describe the maternal behavior of camelids
- females tend to be very interested in their offspring; human should avoid having much contact with the cria/calf
