Camelids Flashcards
camelids family
camlidae
why are camelids split from ruminants?
they have differences related to their evolution to specific ecosystems
which camelids are old world?
camels
which camelids are new world?
llama, alpaca, vicuna, guanaco
particularly from Andes mountains
what is the main way you can tell the difference between llamas and alpacas?
llamas have a straight nose instead of concave
cria
baby camelid
gelding
castrated male camelid
what type of foot do camelids have?
artiodactyls
2 toed
what is the sub-order that camelids are apart of under artiodactyla?
tylopoda = calloused foot
guanaco scientific name
lama guanicoe
vicuna scientific name
lama vicugna
who are llamas and alpacas relatives of?
they are domesticated relatives of Guanacos
guanacos classification
critically endangered in Peru and vulnerable in Chile
why are the guanacos’ range been severely decreasing?
foraging competition, over-hunting for pelts, habitat degradation from humans
vicunas
closely related to alpacas and are the smallest of the camelids family
small slender deer-like creature
what are vicunas known for?
their super soft fleece and they are hunted for their wool
vicunas classification
endangered
only a certain number can be sheared each year
llama scientific name
lama glama
alpaca scientific name
lama pacos
where are most camelids from?
South America
who are llamas domesticated from?
guanacos
who are alpacas domesticated from?
they are a type of domesticated guanaco raised for its soft wool
llama physical characteristics
longer, curved, banana-like ears
2x size of alpaca
can get up to 400 lbs
longer, straighter face
coarse outer coat with fine undercoat
alpaca physical characteristics
shorter, straighter, more pointy ears
squashed face with dished nose
have more hair on face and head so they look cute and fluffy
finer hair that is dense and fast growing
llama function
used as pack-carrying animals and for meat
alpaca function
used for wool since they have fine fur
alpaca temperament
nervous disposition
llama temperament
more prone to spitting when they feel threatened
what is created through inbreeding of llamas and alpacas?
huarizos
digestive system
ability to thrive in harsh, dry, nutrient-poor environments where ruminants can’t
esophagus length and where does it connect?
can be up to 4 ft long and connects to the 1st stomach compartment
process of eating
- initial mastication: consists of only enough chewing to mix food with saliva to form a bolus for swallowing
- cud propelled from 1st gastric compartment back up esophagus into mouth to decrease particle size and increase surface area for microbial digestion
- rechewed and mixed with saliva
what are their 3 stomach compartments?
C1: similar to rumen
C2: similar to reticulum
C3: similar to abomasum
dental characteristics
have grooved upper lip
cleft upper lip for foraging grasses and bark (each half moves independently)
have upper dental pad
have fighting tooth
which animal do camelids share similarities with in their dental structure?
rabbits
fighting tooth
upper incisor migrated caudally in the jaw
looks like upper canines
usually removed in males with gigli wire
what are the 2 domesticated old world camelus species?
dromedary and Bactrian
dromedary: 1-humped camel, Camelus dromedarius
Bactrian: 2-humped camel, Camelus bactrianus
dromedary
most important livestock in North Africa and middle East
called “Arabian camel”
used for milk, meat, hides, and transport
Bactrian
seen in cold deserts of Asia
stockier and have thicker wool
camels and dehydration
well adapted to dehydration in harsh desert conditions
can store heat in humps due to the humps being made up of stored fat; heat stored in humps during day dissipate into the rest of the body during cold nights
normal feces/urine appearance
feces are very dry
kidneys can rid the body of extremely concentrated urine
humps storing fat
the stored fat in humps can be metabolized when food/water is scarce
hump diminishes as they use up the fat but will refill once they eat and drink again
camels’ protection from sand
clear nictition membranes and 2 rows of long eyelashes protect eyes
can shut nostrils during sandstorms
camel physical characteristics
~ 6ft tall
Bactrian can weigh over 2,000lbs, dromedary can weight ~ 1,000lbs
camel gestation
12-14 months
camel maturation age and lifespan
fully mature at 7 years and live ~ 17 years
RBCs
oval shaped which helps keep blood flowing even when dehydrated; long axis of cells is oriented with blood flow
can expand up to 240% without rupturing which makes it possible for camel to drink large amounts of water to recover from dehydration
camel spitting
they are throwing up some of their stomach contents when they spit
are camelids classified as predators or prey?
prey animals
show minimal signs of pain signs so less is more restraint
camelid herds
led by dominant male and many of the other males form bachelor herds
camelid sociability
very social and like to greet each other by blowing in each other’s faces
kushing
tucking rear legs under body
parasitism
some degree of GI parasites always present; goal is to keep the numbers low
which parasites are common in camelids?
Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Trichuirs, Nematodirus, Coccidia
common parasite CS
pale mm, weight loss, exercise intolerance, peripheral edema (bottle jaw, swollen vulva or scrotum), loose stool, weakness, down animals
which test is often used to monitor the herd for parasites?
FAMACH
what is deworming based on?
burden due to avoiding resistance to dewormer
what are a couple ways to prevent parasite outbreaks?
manage dung piles and rotate pastures if possible
meningeal worm
“brain worm”
neurologic disease carried by white-tailed deer
intermediate host: snail
larvae migrate from stomach to spinal column causing inflammation
meningeal worm CS
hindlimb weakness, ataxia that progresses to inability to walk and ultimately a down animal
meningeal worm preventative
Ivermectin monthly during July-November in high risk areas may be needed but could cause resistance
coccidia
healthy camelids will naturally keep in check but young camelids, camelids with poor nutrition, stressed, and camelids with other disease may be more susceptible
an increased amount of coccidia causes cells lining intestine to rupture which leads to diarrhea, dehydration, appetite loss, bloody diarrhea
coccidia treatment
Corid (Amprolium)
can also use as prevention
inhibits coccidia reproduction which allows the camelid’s immune system to take care of the infection
can also use Albon (Sulfadimethoxine) instead
which coccidia is a specific large coccidian that impacts S. American camelids?
E. mac or big mac
heat stress in alpacas
must have access to shade, water, fans, and water spraying devices
heat exchange in camelids occurs from its underside so avoid dousing top of fleece as it tends to form an insulating layer that traps humidity
when should alpacas be sheared?
early spring to prevent heat stress
what does stress predispose alpacas to?
stomach ulcers
signs of stress in alpacas
teeth grinding, excessive salivation, anorexia, regurgitation, laying down a lot due to stomach pain, very black stools
Mycoplasma haemolamae
globally endemic in camelids
most healthy animals mount an immune response and clear it
associated with mild to marked anemia and rarely death in stressed, immune-suppressed, and debilitated camelids
disease precipitated by shipping or movement to enclosure
Mycoplasma haemolamae transmission
biting insects, needles, equipment, and possibly in utero
what sample should be submitted when investigating a Mycoplasma haemolamae infection?
fresh blood smears since organisms only lightly attach to RBCs
Mycoplasma haemolamae treatment
long-acting tetracyclines
doesn’t fully clear the infection but improves anemia
choanal atresia
congenital abnormality
caused by failure of inner nares (choanae) to open during embryologic development
respiratory distress is visible during nursing
most widespread defect
wry face
congenital abnormality
lateral deviation of the maxilla, mandible may or may not have a similar deviation
when there is severe occlusion of nares and lack of apposition of incisors and dental pad, euthanasia is usually necessary
polydactyl
congenital abnormality
more than 2 toes
what is the most lethal Clostridium in camelids?
Clostridium perfringens type A
clinical signs of peritonitis and plueritis in alpacas may indicate _____
alpaca fever (Streptococcus zooepidemicus)
