Exotics Top Topics - Camelids Overview

Question 1

why do south american camelids spit? how far can they spit?

Answer 1

spit to assert dominance - can spit up to 10 feet away

Question 2

what is a quick & dirty pregnancy test for south american camelids?

Answer 2

pregnant females will spit on intact males

Question 3

what usually precedes spitting in south american camelids?

Answer 3

animal laying its ears back

Question 4

what do red blood cells look like in south american camelids?

Answer 4

elliptical elliptocytes that lack central pallor - automated cell counters may not produce reliable results

Question 5

what is normal PCV & erythrocyte count in a south american camelid?

Answer 5

PCV: 27-45% & erythrocyte counts: 10.1-17.3 X 10^6

Question 6

what is orgling? what is the purpose of it? what are some other sounds made south american camelids?

Answer 6

characteristic guttural vocalization of male camelids during mating that helps to induce ovulation - other sounds include humming, clucking, & alarm calls

Question 7

what is so special about south american camelid poop

Answer 7

the poop in a designated pile & will wait in line - will also pee on the same spot - dung pile is nearly odorless

Question 8

what are the three compartments of the south american camelid stomach?

Answer 8

C1: 85% of stomach, similar to rumen, ventricular groove in neonates directs milk past C1 & C2 delivering it to C3, C2: 6% of the stomach similarto reticulum , & C3: 9% of stomach similar to the abomasum with 5 anatomic divisions

Question 9

what are the 5 anatomic divisions of south american camelids’ C3?

Answer 9

first 4/5 have mucosal glands & distal 1/5 has true gastric & pyloric glands (majority of gastric ulcers occur)

Question 10

what is berserk male syndrome?

Answer 10

occurs in males that were bottle fed as crias or isolated from the herd & have imprinted on the human caregiver - characterized by aggressive behavior towards humans

Question 11

what is kushing? what can you do to make a south american camelid kush?

Answer 11

sternal recumbency with legs under the body - common way for them to rest/females assume this position for breeding - if you grab their tail, most will kush

Question 12

what are 4 diseases that south american llamas get that are also seen in other animals?

Answer 12

foot & mouth, rabies, paralestrongylus tenuis, & bovine viral diarrhea

Question 13

T/F: south american camelids can be infected by foot & mouth virus but are not very susceptible but they do not become carriers and can’t transmit it to other animals

Answer 13

TRUE

Question 14

T/F: clinical signs from foot & mouth disease in south american camelids are usually mild

Answer 14

TRUE

Question 15

why is rabies a huge concern in south american camelids?

Answer 15

they spit a lot

Question 16

how is rabies prevented in south american camelids?

Answer 16

vaccination recommended even though there is no vaccine licensed for use

Question 17

what clinical signs are seen with paralephostrongylus tenuis in south american camelids?

Answer 17

lumbar weakness, ataxia, paralysis, scoliosis

Question 18

how is paralestrongylus tenuis prevented in south american camelids?

Answer 18

deer-proof fencing, anthelmintics every 30-45 days from spring to fall, & a clean/dry environment to prevent snails/slugs

Question 19

what clinical signs are seen with bovine viral diarrhea in south american camelids?

Answer 19

fever, oral ulceration, diarrhea, & abortion

Question 20

why not vaccinate camelids for bovine viral diarrhea?

Answer 20

vaccination can interfere with testing for it

Question 21

what is the test of choice for diagnosing bovine viral diarrhea in camelids?

Answer 21

PCR