Camelids

Question 1

The proper way to catch a camelid

Answer 1

Do not catch them by the neck!
o Use the MIDLINE CATCH – hand on the back of the neck close to the head; come to midline and then move up to head – Animal freezes and you can restrain it
o Catch rope over the top of the head - can use lead rope up around ears to make a halter.

Question 2

How many should be together when doing procedures and why?

Answer 2

2 or 3 should be kept together at one time. This minimizes stress as they don’t like the be alone.

Question 3

T/F: maximum force should be used when restraining camelids

Answer 3

False: They respond to the least amount of restraint possible

Question 4

How do you correctly give oral medications?

Answer 4

Ease fingers along lip , use dosing syringe with metal extension and slide right behind finger and as far back into mouth as possible, Use a dosing gun in the cheek
to admin oral meds; release finger but maintain hold on head to make sure animal swallows

Question 5

Where should fecal samples be collected from?

Answer 5

The individual animal – not the dung pile

Question 6

For a SQ injection, what is the max we can give, and how should it be given?

Answer 6

Do not give more than 10cc, stand on one side, lean over the chest and give it on the other side bottom of chest. You want to animal to push into the needle if they try to get away.

Question 7

What is the point of reference (landmark) for giving an IM injection?

Answer 7

Draw a line from the point of the shoulder to the hip & stay BELOW it to give an IM injection
– back of the leg and below the line on the neck work well.

Question 8

Needle placement (in the skin) in an IM vs SQ. What is the needle placement technique that works best in Llammas?

Answer 8

IM injection should be perpendicular to the skin. SQ should be kept at an angle and relying on the pressure release from the needle as their skin is think enough to feel this. The “set and push” technique.

Question 9

How to restrain for venipuncture with 2 people

Answer 9

Minimal restraint – have handler embrace the head, hand wrapped around the back of the neck, wrap finger around boney process at bottom of neck – holds off vein and helps it fill

Question 10

Shallow or deep stick for venipuncture on a camelid?

Answer 10

Do not stay shallow as their skin is very thick

Question 11

What angle should the syringe be at to the skin for venipuncture?

Answer 11

Should be about 60 degrees

Question 12

Buck eye bleeding technique – what is it and how do you do it?

Answer 12

A technique to get blood by yourself
Bend over them with neck resting on your thighs, can still feel transverse process = puts neck down and jug fills/distends by gravity

Question 13

Landmarks for the jugular venipuncture in a camelid

Answer 13

Jug vein between trachea and transverse process

Question 14

What is the other technique for getting blood by yourself? (not buck eye)

Answer 14

• Use a halter, put them on a short lead with a quick release
   Stand at shoulder with the fence on the other side = cannot go anywhere
   Wrap arm around neck to other side, bleed at side you are standing
   Push needle thru then let them relax, then draw the blood

Question 15

5 big points about restraining camelids in a shoot

Answer 15

1. Use a butt board, do not restrain the head – use cross ties
2. Do not pull the lead when bringing them into the shoot
3. Put the quick release on the equipment, not on the halter
4. Side door should be able to swing open or be removable
5. Need good footing in the chute, rubberize flooring bolted in

Question 16

Where on the leg do you pick it up for a nail trim and why?

Answer 16

Pick the legs up high up on the body to keep them in balance, want them to take their weight, not balance on you

Question 17

What is an alternative to picking up the foot for a nail trim?

Answer 17

Can trim the toe nails while the foot is on the ground, stay at an angle

Question 18

A technique to lead camelids on a halter and lead that are resistant to being led.

Answer 18

Put the lead rope at the side, not under the neck; use side of halter instead of ring under the chin
o Give signals until you get action from the feet

Question 19

Where is a body wrap placed?

Answer 19

Goes around the back end – under the tail, below hip

Question 20

Why is a body wrap successful?

Answer 20

Give heightened awareness of their body - helps with making an animal stand still w/o using a lot of restraint

Question 21

For best control with a lead and halter on which ring should the lead be placed?

Answer 21

At the ring on the side, not the bottom.

Question 22

The bracelet catch uses how many hands? And what does it do?

Answer 22

Uses both hands – stabilizes head, makes them stand still, place hand under neck

Question 23

One definitive characteristic between Llama and Alpaca

Answer 23

The alpaca have fleece on top of their head/face, Llamas don’t