Camelids Flashcards
what is the BW of alpacas
48-84kg
what are alpacas bred for
fibre production
what is the BW of llama
130-200kg
what are the differences between Llamas and Alpacas
Llamas are taller and heavier
used for protection
Llamas have banana shaped ears
alpacas have smushed faces
what are vicunas
wild ancestor of alpacas
what is the BW of vicuna BW
35-65kG
what is the gestation period of camelids
~11.5 months +/- 1 month
what is the normal rectal temperature
37.2-38.6ºC (37.7ºC)
99-101.5ºF (100.0ºF)
Younger slightly higher (~0.5ºC)
what is the normal heart rate
80 bpm (50-110) for all ages but young often higher end of range
what is the normal resp rate
10-30 bpm in alpacas
40-60 bpm in llamas
how are camelids weaned
Like other animals
When the young are big enough and taking enough hard feed/fibre to sustain themselves (~6-9 months)
what age do camelids reach sexual maturity
Around 2 years old but like other domesticated mammals this varies, so separate from 1 year old (most do at weaning — just like other farm species)
what type of ovulators are camelids
reflex ovulators/non-seasonal mostly singles
are lymph nodes normally palpable
no
how many gut contractions should there be and where can you auscultate
C1
3-5 mins
what are routine husbandry practices
Must be kept in groups (5-7/acre)
Shelter should be available
Feed:
- Forage — hay (haylage on dry side), short grass
- Feed — with added vitamin D (rickets)
- Water
Can give supplementary vitamin ADE (oral paste or injectable solution)
2200 IU/kg
what are routine management practices
Can be done by owners/shearers but veterinarian may be asked to do/give guidance
Shearing
Foot trimming
Trim the ‘nails’ at bottom of foot
Can bleed if trim too short
Vaccination
Worm/fluke treatments
what are routine vaccines
Routinely against clostridial diseases
Use Bravoxin 10 or Covexin 10 (because these cover all the things camelids have died from in the UK)
Give Covexin 10 every 6 months
Sheep dose
Give one 4-6 weeks before birth
how do you assess worm and fluke treatments
Monitor with regular body condition scoring and routine FWEC’s (use modified Stoll’s) (can have a high burden without diarrhea)
Don’t usually get diarrhea when they have a high parasite burden
Susceptible to most sheep and cattle parasites
Defecate in ‘toilet’ areas of pasture
Also can get coccidiosis and external parasites (mites only)
what type of ruminant are camelids
pseudoruminants
describe the features of the GI tract
Foregut fermentation
C1 largest and similar to rumen
C2 involved in mixing with C1 (think reticulum)
C3 absorbing nutrients in one part and secretes acid in another (think abomasum)
No gall bladder
Small omentum
Large spiral colon (absorbs water — think omasum)
what is the neck anatomy
7 cervical vertebrae
where would you take jugular sample
High on RHS
Low near thoracic inlet
what is the PCV range
>20%
what is the shape of RBCs
oval and small
high altitude adaptation
what is the TP range
51-78g/L
what is the glucose range
5.5-7.3 mmol/L
what is the normal USG
1.010-1.048
when can you US scan for pregnancy
days 35-40
what is the avg BW of cria
5-10kg
how much colostrum do cria are needed
8-10% BW in colostrum within 6 hours
what is the aim of serum TP for cria
>6g/dL
how do you perform c section
left flank
90% in left horn
sterility important
when would you castrate
18 months - 2+ years old
what are important history questions when approaching a sick alpaca
homebred
vaccination
worm/fluke tx
breeding/pet
rest of group/size
how do sick alpacas present
dead
moribund
recumbent
what are common dz of alpacas
Parasites
Dietary insufficiency
C3 ulcers
Hepatic lipidosis
Infections
- Pneumonia
- Enteritis
- Johne’s
- TB
- BVD
what are causes of anemia
Chronic disease
Trace element/dietary etiology
Mycoplasma haemolamae
Haemonchus contortus
what are causes of hypoproteinemia
Endoparasites
Enteritis
Johne’s
Kidney disease
Liver disease
where is scabby skin seen
Lower limbs/face & eats
Ectoparasites
- Mange mites
how does colic present
similar to horses
same approach
what ocular problems are common
Conjunctivitis (like sheep)
Naso-lacrimal duct blockage (like horses and dogs)
what are common neuro issues
CCN
Listeriosis
Meningitis
Injury/abscess
what are other less common diseases seen
- TB
- BVD
what are common sick presentations in alpacas
- anemic
- hypoproteinemia
- scabby skin
what medications should you not use in alpacas
macrolids (micotil)
metronidazole (kills gut flora)
