Camelids Flashcards
which species
llama
which species
alpaca
which breed
Suri alpaca
which breed
Himalayan alpaca
which species (small, fleece is thinnest diameter)
vicuna
which species (second largest after the llama)
guanaco
what are some peculiarities of SAC (South American camelid) skin and blood collection
thick skin and big transverse processes, so to take jugular blood need to go either really close to head or far down between C5 and C6
what are some peculiarities of the SAC digestive system
- lip is split and highly muscular to manipulate grass
fighting teeth (sharp canines) - 3 compartment stomach (pseudo ruminants): more frequent mixing activity, greater buffering capacity from saccules, VFA absorption efficiency, and longer retention time compared to ruminants
- C1 is fermentation vat, C3 is (orad) fermentation vat and (aborad) glandular stomach
- form pellets
what are some peculiarities of SAC foot
nail, not hoof
walk ono P2 and P3
foot pad
what are some particularities of camelid blood
elliptical RBCs - some machines may not recognize as RBCs
high MCHC (mean corpuscular Hgb concentration)
what are some particularities of camelid reproduction
induced ovulators
copulate in prone position
prolonged ejaculation
diffuse placenta
gestation in left horn, 11 months
parturition during the day
what is aberrant male or berserk male syndrome
psychological condition experienced by human-raised camelids, particularly llamas and alpacas, that can cause them to exhibit dangerously aggressive behavior toward humans.
what are a few common diseases of SAC? what are a few less common diseases?
common: internal parasites, clostridial infections, recumbency, breeding problems, heat stress
less frequent: pneumonia, enteritis, nutrition, external parasites
what are some common dental issues in camelids
needing to saw fighting teeth off
malocclusion, most commonly of incisors: normal incisors contact the dental pad; can correct with files, hand saw, or Dremel
maloccusion of molars can occur too, but some degree of irregularity is normal, so establish if animal is clinically healthy (weight loss, dysphagia)
what are some common causes of jaw masses in camelids
tooth root abscess is most common: treat medically with enrofloxacin, or ideally surgically by removing tooth
osteomyelitis (lumpy jaw)
rarely: fracture, cysts, tumors
food in the mouth
these C/S are consistent with what Gi condition
vom, regurg, dysphagia, hypersalivation, fetid bath, chronic weight loss
megaesophagus
how to diagnose megaesophagus
radiology, barium
how to treat megaesophagus
often no cause is identified
feed complete feed
euthanasia
how do first compartment flora problems occur? how to treat?
following primary disease and 3 days off feed compartment bacteria die, get
anorexia, depressed contractions, changes in fluid characteristics
transfaunation with llama, sheep, cow, or goat strained fluid, 2-4 times
an aggressive eater in a group of llamas exhibits acute depression, gastric atony, fluid distension, stumbling gait, metabolic acidosis, and C1 fluid pH is between 4.0 and 5.0. what is diagnosis?
grain overloadh
how to treat grain overload in camelids
correct dehydration, correct systemic acidosis, add AMD, thiamine, restore mcrobiome
what are some C/S of third compartment ulcers?
often secondary to another problem
colic, depression, anorexia, bruxism, decreased fecal output
how to treat third compartment ulcers
omeprazole 2-4 mg/kg IV (NOT orally)
pantoprazole 1 mg/kg SQ or IV (both PPI)
H2 receptor antagonists are ineffective
what % of colic cases are surgical in SAC
50%
what are some C/S of colic in SAC
depression, grinding teeth, lateral recumbency, abnormal posture (stretching), straining to defecate
CBC and chem are often normal
how to prefigures thorough a colic workup in SAC
describe signs, take history, good PE
CBC and chem often normal
abdominocentesis
abdominal rads
then, ex lap
what are some possible causes of peritonitis
pleuropneumonia
pericarditis
abdominal abscesses
septicemia
C3 ulcers
pancreatitis
what are some C/S of peritonitis
depression, anorexia most common
isles, diarrhea, dehydration, tachycardia, weight loss
how to diagnose peritonitis? how to treat?
abdominocentesis for dx
tx: remove source of infection, AMD (penicillin and gentamicin combination common), NSAID, nutritional support
what is typical presentation of upper resp disease (“alpaca snots”)
animals returning from shows then get outbreaks, often older females
nasal discharge, fever, cough, most recover, but some get penumonia and die
necropsy, pleural effusion, lung consolidation
what are some viruses suspected to cause upper resp disease in camelids
adenovirus, coronavirus, PI3 (parainfluenza type 3)
how is Strep zooepidemicus penumonia diagnosed in SAC? how is it treated?
radiographs. also often no coughing, clue.
ampicillin, procaine penicillin G, ceftiofur
what condition is often a complication of megaesophagus, can show as a down or paralyzed animal, regurg when tubing (cries), and has a poor prognosis
aspiration pneumonia
what are 5 GI parasites SAC can get
coccidia
Trichostrongyles
Ostertagia
Haemonchus
Nematodirus
camelid who recently was transported has a subclinical infection or fever, anemia, icterus, depression, fertility. blood smear looks like this. what is diagnosis?
cyclic bacteremia on blood smear = Mycoplasma haemolamae (note you can’t cultivate in vitro, so can’t dx that way)
how is Mycoplasma haemolamae treated
healthy llamas can clear infection on own
others need tetracycline (20 mg/kg SQ q3 days for 5 treatments)
what is parelaphostrongylosis? what is the definitive host, intermediate host, aberrant host?
parasite of white tail deer
intermediate host îs gastropod
llama (also alpaca, sheep, goat, moose) are aberrant hosts
briefly discuss life cycle of paralaphostrongylosis
adult worm in meninges, L1 eggs reach lungs, coughed and swelled then excreted in poop, gastropods eat L2 and L3, when deer eats snail L3 freed in abomasum (C3 in camelid), then migrate to CNS
note prepotent period is 82-92 days, very long
llama is hypermetric, ataxic, stiff, paretic, head tilt, circling, blind (basically progressive neuro signs).
you know the llama has been outdoors and you have seen some white tail deer around.
you see malaria, meningitis, and hemorrhage upon histology. what are you suspicious of? how will you diagnose?
parelaphostrongylosis
based on signs and presence of WTD, ruling out other diseases, and seeing eosinophils in CSF.
note you only see intestinal nematodes in 26% of cases at necropsy, so can’t rely on this histo finding
you have diagnosed parelaphostrongylosis (the WTD parasite) in a camelid. how will you treat
fenbrendazole and ivermectin
plus AIDS: phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, DMSO, dexamethasone.
and physical therapy: Sling or Aquacow
what are 3 ways to prevent parelaphostrongylosis (WTD parasite)
control deer with deer-proof fences
control snail by vegetation-free boundaries or barriers around pastures
use *ivermectin q4-6 weeks or moxidectin q6-9 weeks
camelid shows lip twitch, facial tremor, head shake, ataxia, paresis, fever, colic-like signs.
clin path: LEUKOCYTOSIS, CSF increase in nucleated cells (macrophages) and proteins
what are you suspicious of? how to conform?
WNV infection
RT-PCR or immunohistochemistry
how common is WNV infection in camelids
camelids are exposed, but are low risk
however if they do get infection px is poor
how can WNV be prevented in camelids
eliminate vector
equine vaccine, but 3 doses
what are some predisposing factors for heat stress/stroke
hot weather
long distance transport
at shows
exercising
breeding or working during hot hours
obesity
poorly groomed coat
what are key signs of heat stress in SAC
elevated temp, RR, HR
drooping of lower lip and scrotal/perineal swelling or edema
give several ways to treat heat stress/stroke
cool with water, pool, in front of farm (if mild case), alcohol ru, in shade, ice water enema
give access to water, orogastric or IV fluids
how to prevent heat stress/stroke? give a few ways
adequate shade
fresh water
clip or shear hair to 1 to 2 inches
well ventilated barn
misters, sprinklers, wading pools
avoid breeding or moving animals during hot part of day
keep animals fit
feed better quality roughage
young alpaca or llama has crusts mostly on hairless areas of body, eg. axilla, medial thighs, perineum, bridge of nose, muzzle
they are NOT PRURITIC
what condition is likely? how do you treat?
idiopathic keratosis
often respond to zinc injections, even if the zinc levels are normal
