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
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
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
