Camelids Flashcards
Ideal BCS of camelids?
Over lumbar area: Dorsal-transverse processes straighter than sheep/slightly curved
What is the maximum volume of fluids to give to a camelid? Why? type of fluid to use?
No more than 5% of BW/24 hours
Pulmonary oedema
Use alkaline
Which side of the neck would you place a jugular catheter for camelids?
Right (vagus nerve closer to jugular on left)
Face down due to valves
When are camelids hypoproteinaemic (blood levels) and what could you give?
Albumin >20g/l
TP > 40g/l
Plasma
Prone ro hypoproteinaemia
What to do if a camelid starts mouth breathing during an examination etc?
Passed stress threshold
(obligate nasal breathers)
Back off if can and give 10 min break
Common causes of abdominal distension in camelids?
Ascites
SI obstruction
Pregnancy
Common causes of colic in camelids?
Phytobezoar
enteritis
Spiral colon torsion
What to vaccinate camelids for?
Clostridial disease - Heptavac Others as required: - Bluetongue - Orf, leptospirosis, salmonella - rotavirus, coronavirus, e.coli - Abortion agents
Control of endoparasites in camelids?
Regular FECs Pasture management (tend to graze all year round)
Clinical signs of endoparasite problems in camelids?
Soft faeces (diarrhoea)
Ill thrift
Anaemia (Famancha test)
Malaise and death
When are FEC results significant in camelids?
Trichostrongyle-type: 300-400
Fluke, nematodirus, haemonchus, lungworm: 1
Why is overstocking of camelids a problem for grazing management for endoparasites?
Camelids use dung piles
But if over-stocked, forced to graze near dung
Which wormers can be used in camelids?
Albendazole (BZ) - never in pregnant, never >10mg/kg
Levamisol - must weigh as very narrow safety margin
MCLs - 1-1.5x sheep/cattle dose, Moxidectin for Haemonchus
Monepantel - 3x sheep dose
Don’t use Ivermectin pour ons for endoparasites as diff absorption to sheep (can use for mange mites)
Which anti-fluke drugs are best for camelids (kill immature)? When to dose?
Triclabendazole - poss resistance Closantel Albendazole - not if pregnant High forecast: dose 6 weeks later Typical (sheep): Oct and Jan
Which coccidia species affects camelids? What affects immunity?
Eimeria lamae Eimeria alpacae Eimeria punoensis Eimeria macusaniensis = species specific Reduced immunity with age and stress
When to treat camelids for coccidia?
Early born cries at weaning
Late born cries at 2-3mo (face higher challenge earlier on)
Adults after stress
Incoming animals
Treatment of Chorioptic and sacroptic mange for camelids? Who to treat? What to bear in mind?
Ivermectins - injectable for sarcoptic, pour-on for chorioptic Typically 3-4 treatments 7-10d apart Treat whole group (1 in 2 will carry) Keep away from watercourses as highly toxic to aquatic life In severe cases also: - shampoo (keratolytic) - topical ascaricide (frontline) - skin conditioner (e.g. oil) - systemic antibiotics
Ddx for crusting over nose of camelids?
Nuisance flies
Photosensitisation - check liver status
What to check for if discolouration of camelid fleece?
Blowfly strike
What is munge in camelids? When seen? Clinical signs? Treatment?
Hyperkeratosis, severe crusting around muzzle
Unknown cause
Typically weaning and adolescent
Treat symptomatically - soak in warm water, antibiotics for secondary infections, NSAIDs)
What causes caseous lymphadenitis in camelids?
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Don’t open abscesses if near superficial Ons as will contaminate environment
Gastric ulceration in camelids - prevalence? Who affected? Clinical signs? Treatment? Cause?
5% of deaths, 20% contributory/incidental
All age groups
Non specific clinical signs
Cause uncertain - poss inappetance –> reflux of bile, stasis of acidic material
Can use ultrasound to look for thickened walls etc
Systemic treatment - antacids if not eating well
Bovine TB clinical signs of camelids? Transmission?
Weight loss, reps disease, subdued
Tracheal lesions, military lesions, abscesses
Voluntary testing scheme - serological tests
Llama-llama, from cattle (unknown if pass back to cattle/badgers)
What is the main differential of pale mms in camelids? Other clinical signs?
Cardio-vascular compromise
Pulse deficit, heart murmur, cold extremities, CRT
Causes of anaemia in camelids?
Chronic disease Haemonchus, fluke Gastric ulceration Haemolysis Ivermectin toxicity Mycoplasma haemollamae
When to do a blood transfusion in camelids? Who can blood be taken from?
If PCV <8%
Only one blood group so reactions are rare (can take 1-2 bags from alpaca, 3 from llama)
How to differentiate between ataxia and weakness?
Ataxia - unpredictable/irregular movements, exaggerated by circles/backwards, one leg worse
Weakness - muscle tremors on c/l leg when lift leg, swing phase shortened/delayed, tail pull test
Differentials for ataxia/weakness in camelids?
Acute/chronic blood loss Haemolysis Acute/chronic infection Copper deficiency Ivermectin toxicity
When to castrate camelids? How to prepare? Pre-op drugs?
> 18mo - want some testosterone for skeletal development (more patella lunation if castrate too early)
Prep: tetanus cover, withheld concentrates for 24 hours
Drugs: penicillin and NSAIDs
Check 2 testicles
Anaesthesia options for camelid castration?
Local infiltration - max 6mg/kg, along median raphe +/- intra-testicular
Triple stun (ketamine, xylazine, butorphanol) +/- local - deep sedation
Caudal epidural
Don’t stand behind as still get deep pain without GA so may kick, put bale of straw underneath if standing as will sit down as defence
If recumbent - tie out like horse, nose below larynx, blindfold
What type of castration is best for camelids? Haemostasis options?
Ideally closed - prevents prolapse of tunica as testicles close to body and v short
If accidentally open, just trim tunica back
Haemostasis options: ligature, clamp, twist and pull
Top 3 causes of weight loss in camelids?
Parasites
Tooth and jaw
Bullying
When to trim camelid incisors?
Only if BCS poor, quidding etc
Care not to expose pulp cavity - shine torch to see
How to differentiate between camelid deciduous and permanent teeth? What to do if retained incisors?
Deciduous = whiter
Permanent = dirtier, parallel sides
Leave if coping - maintaining BCS etc
Methods of sedation for camelids? Crias?
Triple stun - xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol IV
Abrahamson mix - 1000mg ketamine, 100mg xylazine, 10mg butorphanol, 1ml/18kg alpaca, 1ml/22.5kg llama, IM
Cria: butorphanol and diazepam
What size ET tubes for camelids? Flowrate?
Adults: 9-12
Weanlings: 5.5-7
Cuffed
2-3L flow rate on closed circuit
Induction of camelids for GA?
Xylazine - IV or IM Detomidine - IV \+/- Butorphanol IV plus ketamine Maintain on gas or double drip
Analgesia for camelids?
Fentanyl patch - 12h to peak, lasts 72h
Butorphanol - only 60 mins effect?
Buprenorphine - lasts 6-8h
Meloxicam - 22h to peak, lasts 48-72h
Common malpresentations causing dystocia in camelids?
Foot/lower limb caught on pelvic brim Carpal flexion Head deviation, neck flexion Breech (posterior presentation with hip/hock flexion) Twins Small pelvis so may need C section!
C section of camelids? prep? Method?
Clean - tail wrap etc Gentle Good restraint - +/- epidural/sedation Lots of lube Clenbuterol? 15 min rule? Usually local not GA 45 degrees - lateral recumbency Left flank Incision - angled, 15cm, thin layers, layer ID less obvious, spleen obvious Gentle tissue handling - generous incision, lavage don't swab
When are foetal membranes usually passed by camelids? What to do if retained?
Normally in 1-3 hours
Retained when > 6h
Gentle pull, oxytocin, systemic check (temp)
What is weird about camelid glucose levels?
Can have high insulin resistance so can quickly change from hypoglycaemia to hyerglycaemia so need to be careful (good if have glucose monitor)
What are the sub-types of llama?
Huacaya (commonest)
Suri (dreadlock fleece)
What is a intact male, castrated male, young/unweaned, weaned camelid called?
Intact male: stud
Castrated male: gelding
Young/unweaned: cria
Weaned: adolescent
What does ‘kush’ mean?
Position of sternal recumbency - submission posture
What are the 3 camelid stomach compartments?
C1 - largest (15-25L), similar to rumen but more secretory
C2 - 1-2L
C1 and C2 - saccule on ventral aspects secrete bicarbonate, both involved in mixing
C3 - tubular stomach, proximal 75% epithelium similar to saccule, distal 25% acid secretion
Intestine and abdo organ anatomy of camelids?
Similar to ruminants
Double helix spiral colon
Smooth spleen like sheep
No gall bladder
What glands do camelids have on their legs?
Metatarsal glands on inside of hind legs
Interdigital glands on all 4 feet
Camelid udder anatomy
4 quarters with 4 teats
Each quarter has 2 glands and 2 openings in teat
