Camelids Flashcards
Give some signs of discomfort in a camelid
Ear position
Teeth grinding/groaning
Body position eg restless
How would you take a jugular blood sample from a camelid?
Find C5 and C6 (bony processes)
Allow finger to slip medially into jugular groove to raise vein
Why should you take care when giving glucose to camelids?
They are quite insulin-resistant
What kind of fluids should you give to camelids?
Alkaline
Where can you take a blood sample from in camelids?
Cephalic, jugular, saphenous veins
Which jugular vein should you use in camelids and why?
Right
Oesophagus is on the left, plus the vagal nerve runs close to the left jugular
How much would a camelid’s BCS decrease by before you called a vet?
1 point
2 point -> urgent
Give the ideal values of albumin and TP
Albumin: >20g/L
TP: >40g/L
Give some common causes of abdominal distension
Ascites, SI obstruction, pregnancy
Give some common causes of colic
Phytobezoar, enteritis, spiral colon torsion
How can you asses rumen function?
Listen on both sides for 2 mins, 6-8 rumbles = good rumen function
Where can you give IM injections?
Quadriceps (semintendinous), gluteals
Where can you give SC injections?
In front of shoulder, behind elbow (less fleece)
Where should you microchip a camelid?
Upper left neck (30-45o angle)
What are camelids vaccinated against?
Clostridial diseases
As required: BTV, lepto, rotavirus etc
Give some clinical signs of worms in camelids
Soft faeces, ill thrift, anaemia, malaise, death
Give the cut-off values for FEC eggs per gram of:
Trichostrongyles
Fluke, nemoatodirus
Haemonchus, lungworm
Trichostrongyles: 300-400
Fluke, nemoatodirus: 1 (use NADIS to know when to treat)
Haemonchus, lungworm: any are noteworthy
How can you identify Haemonchus?
Fluorescent staining in lab
When is albendazole CI?
When pregnant
Why should you be careful when treating parasites with levamisole?
Toxic
Use only if you can accurately weigh animal
Why are IV anthelmintics used instead of pour ons?
Poor absorption with pour ons
Name 4 eimeria species specific to camelids
E. lamae
E. alpacae
E. punoensis
E. macusaniensis
When should you treat against coccidiosis?
Early-born crias at weaning
Late-born crias at 2-3 months
Adults after stress
Incoming adults
Where would you usually see chorioptic and sarcoptic mites?
Chorioptic: abdomen
Sarcoptic: head
How do you treat mange?
Ivermectin
Injectable for sarcoptic mite as it is a burrowing mite
Pour-on for chorioptic as it is a surface mite
Typically 3-4 treatments, 7-10 days apart
Treat the whole group
Severe cases: shampoo, topical acaricide, antibiotics, skin conditioner
When is hyperkeratosis usually seen?
Weaning age, adolescent
What causes caseous lymphadenitis?
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Give some clinical indicators of anaemia
Pale mm, pulse deficit, heart murmur, cold extremities, increased CRT
Give some possible causes of anaemia
Haemolysis, chronic disease, haemonchosis, fluke, gastric ulceration, ivermectin toxicity, mycoplasma haemollamae (blood parasite specific to camelids)
Why are cross reactions rare in blood transfusions in camelids?
Only 1 blood group
How much blood can you take from an alpaca and llama?
Alpaca: 1L
Llama: 1.5L
What does hypophosphataemia indicate?
Muscle weakness
When is castration carried out?
Over 18 months
What are the anaesthesia options for castration?
Local infiltration (max. 6mg/kg BW) along median raphe +/- intra-testicular Triple stun (+/- local) Caudal epidural (1ml/45kg BW)
Why is closed castration preferred over open?
Tunica vaginalis can prolapse as scrotum is not very pendulous
What are the 3 most common causes of weight loss?
Parasites
Tooth problems
Bullying over food
Which sedation compromises a triple stun?
Xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol
Which sedation would you give a cria?
Butorphanol and diazepam
Give some maternal and foetal causes of dystocia
Maternal: insufficient dilation, failure to expulse
Foetal: malposture, posterior presentationl, monstrosity
During labour, when are foetal membranes usually passed?
In 1-3 hours
Classed as ‘retained’ if over 6 hours
