Goats, Deer, Donkey and Camelid Medicine Flashcards
1
Q
What is compulsory standstill for goat keeping legislation?
A
If any small ruminants move on to the property than standstill for 6 days
2
Q
What is the dairy goat year/life?
A
Weaned = 8-10w weeks
Go to billy = 7-9 months
Gestation = 150days/4.5months
Enter milking herd = 12-14months
Length 1st lactation = 3-400days
Dry period = 1-2 months
Length of 2nd lactation = 3-900d
Cull = 4-8 years
3
Q
How does goat dairy industry compare to cow dairy industry?
A
Less yield but higher price
4
Q
Describe commercial goat housing.
A
- Dry to help reduce foot disease and mastitis, and the build up of parasites – so often housed all year as they do not do well with wet underfoot conditions in this country
- Space to keep disease down with reduced stocking density and to ensure don’t damage each other if horned
- Draught free but with good ventilation – goats very prone to changes in the temperature and this affects food intake and increases disease. Poor ventilation results in pneumonia
- Ensure don’t keep escaping and stay within groups to stop disease spread
5
Q
What is the nutrition for browser goats?
A
- Eat 80% up, off ground and 20% on floor
- Like to sort food
- Need a variety of food types and lengths? TMR
- Avoid SARA/acidosis
6
Q
What is the nutrition used for milking goats?
A
- Highly digestible diet with high fibre and protein
- Balances microminerals
7
Q
Why is it difficult to BCS goats?
A
Very prone due to getting too fat during the dry period – goats carry a lot of internal fat so can be tricky to BCS by look alone
8
Q
How is goat nutrition altered around kidding?
A
Due to multiple pregnancies restricting food intake so much in the final month of pregnancy
9
Q
How does hypocalcaemia in goats differ to hypocalcaemia in cows?
A
All energy put into kids (sheep with lambs the same) so get hypocalcaemia during pregnancy unlike cows who put all their energy into milk so get hypocalcaemia post lactation
10
Q
How are metabolic diseases in goats prevented?
A
Regular BCS pre-kidding, palatable food
11
Q
How is hypocalcaemia treated in goats?
A
IV/ SQ/Oral calcium supplementation
12
Q
How is twin lamb disease/hepatic lipidosis in goats treated?
A
- Oral propylene glycol or glycerol – not glucose due to rumen bacteria
- IV glucose
13
Q
How is lameness prevented in goats?
A
- Regular foot trimming essential to prevent overgrown
- Recommend footbathing – copper sulphate (5%) or formalin (3%)
14
Q
How is lameness treated in goats?
A
Check for infectious causes
1st line - Amoxicillin/oxytetracyclines and NSAIDs
15
Q
Why is there high SCC in goat dairy herds?
A
- No pre-stripping or individual cell counts
- Long lactations means that the SCC build up over time
- No milk recording
16
Q
Describe the outcomes of staph aureus/blackleg in goats.
A
Need to PTS due to poor prognosis, whole quarter turns back, dies off and may slough off
17
Q
Describe the reproductive life of goats.
A
Puberty = 5 months
Type of breeder = short day polyoestrous
Cycle length = 18-21days
Ovulation = 24-36hours post oestrous
Source of progesterone = CL only
Gestation length = 150 days
18
Q
What are the possible post parturient problems in goats?
A
- Uterine rupture after assisted birth or breach kid/lamb – euthanise
- Uterine prolapse, rare but good prognosis if soon treated in both species
- RFM (>12 hrs), does become ill quickly – need antibiotics if doesn’t cleanse with 24 hours. Sheep will be fine. Amoxicillin/Oxytetracyclines
- If kid left in goat then will soon become toxic and die
19
Q
What in cloudburst in goats?
A
Pseudopregnancy of goats – may have been no contact with male
20
Q
What are the clinical signs of cloudburst in goats?
A
Goat present with distended abdomen and fill up with fluid and may also enter lactation
21
Q
How is cloudburst in goats treated?
A
Ultrasound scan to check isn’t really pregnant
PGF2α to regress CL – may give secondary antibiotics if signs of infection due to the cervix being open
22
Q
What is pseudolactation in goats?
A
- Often no history of parturition or contact with male
- Can often have mastitis as a consequence
23
Q
What are the treatment options for pseudolactation in goats?
A
- Reduce feed intake
- Do not remove udder – too big a surgery for them
- Treat mastitis if it occurs
24
Q
What are the common tumours of goats and their clinical signs?
A
- Lymphoma
- SCC
- Thymoma - dysphagia, respiratory distress/marked dyspnoea
- Cervical leiomyomas - massive haemorrhage, ddx for distended abdomen
- Uterine adenocarcinoma
25
What is the colostrum management for goats?
- 10% bwt
- ½ volume in 2 hrs, rest by 6 hrs
- Passing of meconium – sign had a feed of colostrum
26
What is meningitis in goats a consequence of and what are the clinical signs?
Consequence of FPT and present as extended neck, full, recumbency, fitting
27
At what ages can goats develop different neonatal enteric diseases?
ETEC = 0-5days
Salmonella = 2 days plus
Rotavirus = 7+ days
Cryptosporidium = 1-3 weeks
Coccidiosis = 3 weeks
28
When are coccidia found in goats?
High stocking density
Youngstock
Kept indoors/deep litter
29
What does coccidia present as in goats?
Diarrhoea with/without mucus
Ill thrift
Rectal prolapse from straining
30
How is coccidia treated in goats?
Toltrazuril at 20mg/kg PO
31
How does clostridium perfringes type B present in goats?
- Entertoxaemia also the main effect, the same way as lamB dysentery
- May be precipitated by tubing kid with too much milk meaning undigested milk enters the small intestine
- Present as bloating, colic and the kid soon dies
32
How does clostridium perfringes type D present in goats?
- Pulpy KiDney at death caused by enterotoxaemia
- Precipitated by high carbohydrate diet causing proliferation of the bacteria
- Severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus, chronic form of intermittent diarrhoea
- Sudden death
33
How is clostridium perfringes B and D treated in goats?
Submit faeces and ask for toxin testing
Vaccination for Heptavac P
34
How is disbudding done in kids?
- Do <10 days old once able to be away from dam
- Must be anaesthetised
- Place iron for 5 seconds max
- Don’t press hard as they have thin skulls. Melt brain – necrosis/abscessation of underlying of brain tissue
35
How are kids anaesthetised for disbudding?
- Be wary that very sensitive to alpha 2 agonists and local anaesthetic (procaine). Always dilute your local with sterile water
- 0.1 (0.2-0.5mg/kg) xylazine IM
- Cattle dose 0.5mg/kg meloxicam
- Atipamazole reversal agent
- Cornual branches of lacrimal and infratrochlear (ophthalmic)
36
Why should we never de-horn goats?
Haemorrhage, sinusitis, pain
If growing into the skull, remove tips or radiograph to see extent of sinus within the horn
37
How are younger goats castrated?
- Can ring in first week of life
- Must use local anaesthetic once > 3 months
- Be wary of tetanus
- Can burdizzo
38
How are older goats castrated?
- Must use sedation /GA
- Emasculators?
- Triple clamp?
- Ensure tetanus protection
39
What are the anaesthetic agents that can be used in goats?
- Xylazine IM at 0.05 are quite sensitive to xylazine - atipamezole but can never go into food chain
- Anaesthetise with ketamine – smoother induction if pre-med
- Diazepam IV - good for muscle relaxant – not licenced in food producing animals
- Include butorphanol to further decrease muscle tone and give analgesia and is licensed
40
What are the vital parameters in goats?
- Temperature = 39-40˚C
- Heart rate = 70-110bpm
- Respiratory rate = 10-20bpm
- Rumen turnover = 1-2 per min, 5s duration
41
What is the IM injection site in goats?
Quadriceps to avoid hitting the sciatic nerve
42
What are the 9 licensed products for goats in veterinary medicine?
- Baytril/enrofloxacin
- Oxytocin
- Coxevac - for coxiella brunetti (abortion)
- Sterilised water for injection
- Versiguard rabies - rabies immunisation
- GUIDAIR emulsion for injection - Johne’s vaccine)
- Eprinex pour on - eprinomectin
- VIMCO emulsion for injection for females - Staph. aureus sub-clinical mastitis control
- TAF cutaneous spray - thiamphenicol for foot infections
43
Which antibiotics are used and not used in goats?
Micotil will kill goats so don’t use
Penicillin/amoxicillin, oxytetracycline and TMPS (EMA category D) will treat nearly all conditions
44
What are the 5 vaccines that are safe for goats, the diseases they protect against and their vaccination regimes?
Heptovac P Plus/Lambivac - clostridia and pasteurella
Scabivax - orf, vaccinate at birth
Ovivac - pasteurella, vaccinate from 3 weeks
Toxovac - toxoplasmosis, 1 month before
Enzovac - EAE, 1 month before mating
45
What is the vaccination schedule of clostridial vaccines in goats?
- Primary course, 2 injections 4-6 weeks apart
- Start kids at 10-12 weeks of age (vaccinated dam)
- Boosters given every 6 months
- Booster 2-4 weeks pre-kidding ideally
46
What does lambivac protect against in goats?
- Cl. perfringens B – lamb dysentery
- Cl. perfringens C – struck, necrotic enteritis Vs
- Cl. perfringens D – pulpy kidney and enterotoxaemia
- Cl. tetani
47
Why are goats monitored for parasites for life?
Highly susceptible and never become immune
48
What are the clinical signs of roundworms in goats?
- Weight loss, submandibular oedema and pale mucous membranes common clinical signs
- Diarrhoea (only v.severe cases)
- Sudden death?
- Haemonchus = blood sucking worm, get anaemic
49
What should the general dose of anthelmintics in goats be?
1.5x the sheep dose (not LV)
50
What is the anthelmintic of choice for nematodirus battus in goats?
Benzimidazoles
51
How is parasitism controlled in goats?
Don’t co-graze with sheep or cows, especially goats which do not have the ability to cope with a high parasite level
52
How are flukes treated in goats?
Triclabendazole (Fasinex) for acute (immature) stages
Closantel/Albendazole/Nitroxynil for when only adult fluke
53
Which mites are present in goats?
Chorioptes – legs
Psoroptes – body, ears, scrotum. Non-burrowing
54
How are mites treated in goats?
- Keratinolytic shampoo to remove scabs
- Ivermectin at 0.6mg/kg weekly at least 4 weeks
- Spray frontline or topical eprinomectin on affected areas for 6-8 weeks of chorioptic
55
What can be done to reduce lice problems in goats?
- Keep indoors
- Quarantine on arrival to farm
- Frequent FEC
- Don’t co-graze
- Don’t over worm
- Low stocking densities
- Graze with others of same age
- Dose correctly
56
What is CAE?
Caprine atrhitis encephalitis virus - lentivirus primarily spread via colostrum and respiratory secretions
57
What are the clinical signs that kids develop with CAE?
Neurological signs – weakness, ataxia, and hindlimb placing deficits. Over time, signs progress to paraparesis or tetraparesis and paralysis
58
What are the clinical signs that adult goats develop with CAE?
- Joints appear swollen (most often carpal joints)
- Goats will eat kneeling down and sit on their haunches
- Differential diagnoses – mycoplasma and traumatic arthritis
59
How is CAE diagnosed in goats?
- Antibody ELISA
- Sensitivity increases with age – if <90 days will be MDA
- Accreditation scheme available
60
How is CAE treated in goats?
Test and cull
61
How does Johne's disease present in goats?
- Infected at birth/neonates
- Present as wasting, not diarrhoea
62
How is Johne's diseases diagnosed in sheep?
- High shedders so a faecal smear often diagnostic (ZN stain)
- Ab ELISA is not validated for goats
- Faecal PCR
- Faecal culture gold standard
63
What is the Johne's vaccine?
Gudair vaccine
64
What is the consequence of caseous lymphadenitis in goats?
Carcass condemnation
65
How is caseous lymphadenitis controlled in goats?
- Quarantine affected animals – pus is infectious to others
- Test and cull infected animals
66
How is the spread of Johne's disease in goats prevented?
Snatch kidding, artificial colostrum, test and cull, don’t keep replacements from MAP does, tag and separate herd, vaccinate
67
How is the spread of CAE in goats prevented?
Snatch kidding, artificial colostrum, test and cull, accreditation schemes, cull all progeny of infected, buy from accredited herds
68
How is the spread of CLA in goats prevented?
Don’t lance abscess, cull those with clinical signs, blood test and cull, buy from negative herds, isolate suspected cases
69
What are the clinical signs of CCN in goats?
Star gazing’
Animal can appear blind
70
How is CCN in goats treated?
Essential to get vitamin B1 treatment
71
What are the clinical signs of listeriosis in goats?
- Depressed animal, often not moving with head tilt and drooling
- Food packing into one cheek
- Facial asymmetry
72
How is listeriosis treated in goats?
- High dose penicillin
- NSAID/steroid and Vit B1
73
What are the types of urolithiasis stones that goats develop?
- Struvite – magnesium ammonium phosphate eg grain based diets, alkali pH
- Calcium carbonate – high calcium diet eg alfalfa. Goats >1yr more likely to have calcium based stones
- Calcium phosphate – amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate most common stone seen
- Calcium oxalate – plants including rhubarb, spinach
74
Why/where do uroliths become trapped in goats?
Sigmoid flexure in castrated animals
75
What are the clinical signs of urolithiasis?
- Failure to urinate/straining, dry prepuce
- ‘Out-stretched’ posturing
- Constant straining may result in a rectal prolapse
- Bloating
- Anorexia
- Vocalising
- Restlessness
76
What blood work is done in goats for urolithiasis?
- Increased BUN, creatinine and potassium
- K > 8mmol/L indicates a very poor prognosis and euthanasia should be recommended
- Decreased sodium, chloride and phosphorus
- Increased PCV/ TP
77
What imaging is done in goats for urolithiasis?
Ultrasound – visualise bladder, check for free abdominal fluid
Radiographs - able to visualise calcium based uroliths, location and if multiple stones
78
What are the treatment options for urolithiasis in goats?
- Cannot use conservative
- Removal of vermiform appendage - recurrence in most within hours/days, challenge to extrude penis
- Tube cystotomy - surgical/percutaneous placement
- Surgery - referral
79
What are the referral surgical options for urolithiasis in goats?
Perineal Urethrostomy
Marsupialisation
Both can have complications with wound breakdown/urine scalding and heal over in time
80
What is the temperament of red deer?
More docile and easier to handle
81
What is the temperament of fallow deer?
Fractious, nervous, herd species – don’t do much with
82
What can no longer be done with Muntjac deer?
Illegal to release – no natural England licenses issued. Cannot re-release back into the wild
83
What is characteristic about Chinese water deer?
No antlers, have fangs only
84
What is characteristic about reindeer?
Males commonly castrated – behavioural reasons
Both females and males grow antlers – only deer species routinely grown antlers in females
Hard to get them to breed
85
Describe deer behaviour.
- Prey species with weapons to fight back if they want to but more prey species in behaviour
- Very new to domestication
- Heavily seasonal aggression in ruts
- Bullying – herding species and prey species, can be merciless
- Stag putting tongue out and clicking = warning and threat of aggression
- Can fluff up white fur on bums to make themselves look bigger in case they need to run away
86
Describe the antler cycle of deer.
- Testosterone/androgen dependent for growth cycle of antlers
- Annual growth – inch of antler a day at peak season
- Velvet and pedicle growth planes is soft, has nervous tissue and highly vascular (living tissue)
- Rising testosterone to shed the velvet as it dies off, rising testosterone starts the rut, drop off of testosterone means antlers die off and the cycle starts all over again
- Damage and injuries – ability to deal with fractures is very high due to cycle
87
What are some characteristics of deer farms?
- Must go through abattoir
- Light and dark areas used to encourage deer through the system, not pushed or beaten
88
What are some common practices for preventative medicine in deer?
- De-antlering of stags – cut above attachment to the skull, antlers have died off so can’t feel
- Weighing – used to assess if worming or not
89
Name 7 common conditions of deer seen in deer farms.
PGE
Lungworm
Copper deficiency
Bovine tuberculosis
Pasteurella
Yersiniosis
Cryptosporidium
90
What condition do red deer get particularly?
Copper deficiency
Present in different ways – poor condition, growth rates, conception, coat quality, youngsters may have neuro signs but mostly ill thrift
91
What condition do deer calves get in particular?
Cryptosporidium
They do not scour, they just die. If overstocked paddocks, 7-10 day old calves dying off. PM findings as do not scour
92
What are deer parks?
- Enclosure containing managed deer that are not routinely handled
- Deer within bounds are “wild” and managed as so, no agriculture purpose
- Narrow gene pools and inbreeding problems
- Cull plans so to avoid overstocking consequences
93
What are the common conditions of deer seen in deer parks?
- Often related to stocking density
- Lungworm
- Cryptosporidium
- Clostridial disease
- Toxicities
- Dystocia – dart and remove calf or euthanise, try to leave them to it
- Tangling/snaring injuries – during cleaning phase they try to fond something to scratch on to remove velvet and end up wrapping around fences. Dart and remove
94
What is the consideration of euthanasia with wild deer?
If prognosis is poor, is it worth keeping wild prey species in a very stressful environment when it will die in a few days
95
What must be considered with orphaned deer?
- Most times mot actually abandoned
- Species specific temperaments
- Releasing criteria – must have a plan when rearing
- Consider colostrum status – assume failure of passive transfer and co-morbidities of this
96
When is castration or euthanasia of male orphaned deer considered?
Behaviour during the rut. If bottle fed and not castrated, they are not afraid of you – castrate too late will affect huge problems for antler cycle as it is testosterone dependent. Huge safety risk
97
What are the management considerations for reindeer?
- Vaccinations
- Castration
- Foot trimming as they are not walking on snow in this country
- De-antlering
- Careful with feeding and husbandry – do not feed lush pasture
98
What are some common antler conditions in reindeer?
- Perruques
- Antler warts (antleroma) – papillomas on antler surface, only in castrated males
- Broken antlers
- Pedicle infections where cut off
- Hormone therapy
99
What condition do reindeer get particularly?
MCF/malignant catarrhal fever (ovine/caprine herpesvirus). Hyperaemia, hypersalivation, neuro signs and death. Diagnostic testing difficult – do not seroconvert and PCR takes weeks
100
What is some basic legislation in the UK around deer?
- Only vets can do shit with antlers
- IM injections are an act of veterinary surgeon in wild or park deer, not farmed deer
- Can’t transport a deer in velvet
101
What is the role of deer in bovine tuberculosis spread?
- Deer can contract bTB
- Spillover host – can contract but don’t seem to spread to each other and other things except in certain mechanisms of infection and overstocking
- Raw pet food industry – cats and zoos can get TB from deer offal
102
What are the possible notifiable diseases in deer?
- Bovine tuberculosis (bTB)
- Foot and Mouth Disease
- Bluetongue – can seroconvert but unlikely to see in deer
- Epizootic haemorrhagic virus
- (Chronic Wasting Disease)
103
How are donkeys different to horses?
- Need shelter – don’t have as much as a waterproof coat as horses
- Fewer RBCs, increased volume MCV – always ensure comparing bloods to donkey blood parameters, may look anaemic next to a horse’s
- Ears– thermoregulation, increased hearing, good for arterial lines
- Cutaneous coli muscle – obscures middle 1/3 jugular vein
- Pectoral muscles – underdeveloped, never inject donkeys here
- Tear duct location different – very dorsal in nasal fold instead
104
What are the vital parameters in donkeys?
Heart rate = 36-52bpm
Respiratory rate = 12-28bpm
Temperature = 36.5-37.8˚C
105
Why is BCS harder to assess in donkeys?
Carry fat differently, around necks. Once fat, hard to lose it and can even mineralise it so can make BCS difficult
106
Describe the foot anatomy of donkeys.
- Extensor process of P3 is 1-1.3cm distal to the coronary band
- Thick sole – 1cm+, less sensitive to hoof testers
- Frog does not extend as far forward. Frog support and heart bar shoes exacerbate rotational forces – not advisable. Pads with/without glue shoes better
- Higher moisture content – sponge
107
Describe donkey behaviour.
- Small closely bonded groups
- Fight vs flight response
- Very stoic – hide pain
- Sham eating – pretending they are well when they are not to people, means they are in a lot of pain
- A dull donkey is a clinical emergency
108
How are donkeys sedated?
Detomidine and butorphanol
Onset much quicker in donkeys than horses ~ 15 minutes
109
What is the pathogenesis of hyperlipaemia in donkeys?
- If energy intake reduces or stops, the brain needs to mobilise energy that is stored
- The energy from fat storage is taken for processing to the liver
- Eventually this overwhelms the liver and all other organs fail
- Equine liver efficient at producing VLDL and triglycerides vs cats and ruminants that produce ketones
110
What are the risk factors of hyperlipaemia in donkeys?
- Donkeys and small pony breeds
- Obesity
- Weight loss
- Pregnancy/lactation or just being female
- Increasing age
- Underlying primary disease
- Stress
111
What are the clinical signs of hyperlipaemia in donkeys?
- Dullness, lethargy, inappetence
- Tachycardia/Tachypnoea/Pyrexia
- Ileus/abdominal discomfort
- Congested membrane mucous, delayed CRT
- Dry mucous covered faeces/dry faecal balls
- Cloudy to milky serum/plasma
- Halitosis
- Muzzle and head oedema – from head being held low
- Ataxia or neuro signs – hepatic encephalopathy
- Recumbency
- Death due to multiorgan failure
112
What is the treatment and prognosis of a donkey with a serum triglyceride of 3-8mmol/L?
Encourage voluntary feeding, glucose drenches
Triglyceride level should restore quickly to normal is feeding continues
113
What is the treatment and prognosis of a donkey with a serum triglyceride of 8-10mmol/L?
Nasogastric intubation
Good
114
What is the treatment and prognosis of a donkey with a serum triglyceride of 10-15mmol/L?
Nasogastric intubation with/without IV fluids
Fair if triglyceride levels are reduced promptly. Treat aggressively
115
What is the treatment and prognosis of a donkey with a serum triglyceride of 15-20mmol/L?
Nasogastric intubation and IV fluids
Guarded
116
What is the treatment and prognosis of a donkey with a serum triglyceride of >20 mmol/L?
Intensive IV fluids
Poor
117
What are the possible stressors involved in hyperlipaemia in donkeys?
- Reduced intake due to illness or availability
- Increased metabolism due to pregnancy/lactation
- Stressful event such as companion loss, change of environment, weather, individual differences
- Hospital and transportation
118
What is the recipe for the solution into the nasogastric tube for treatment of hyperlipaemia in donkeys?
- 2-3L warm water
- Rehydration salts
- 120g glucose powder
- 250-500g Ready brek
119
How do donkeys present differently to horses for colic?
- Quiet/dull
- No interest in food
- Concern if behaving like a horse
120
What causes colic in donkeys?
- Pelvic flexure impaction most common cause of colic
- Pedunculated lipomas very rare in donkeys
- Do not starve, unless hospitalized on IVFT hyperlipaemia risk
121
How does colitis present in donkeys?
Dull
Can display colic signs
Pyrexia
Hypoproteinaemia
Rarely have diarrhoea - unlike horses
122
What causes colitis in donkeys?
Stress, diet change, gut dysbiosis, toxin ingestion, endoparasitism
123
How is colitis in donkeys treated?
Analgesia
IM omeprazole
124
Describe streptococcus zooepidemicus.
- Mucopurulent nasal discharge
- Chondroids in guttural pouch
- Often secondary to Equine Herpes Virus infection
- Usually is self limiting
125
How does laminitis present in donkeys?
Present standing still, weight shifting or lying down
126
How is laminitis diagnosed in donkeys?
- Radiographs – lateromedials with markers
- ACTH - test for PPID (wait until acute pain has reduced)
- Insulin – Asinine Metabolic Syndrome
127
How are laminitic donkeys treated?
Low sugar diet
Restrictive grazing (never starve)
Foot support pads
Deep bedding
Analgesia
Ice feet
128
Describe white line abscess in donkeys.
- Soft, permeable hooves absorb moisture
- Pus more likely to track upwards or back into pedal bone – pedal osteitis
- Predisposed by poor hoof care, poor hoof quality, malnutrition and vitamin restricted diets
- Trim regularly – spray with iodine
129
What is the pathogenesis of sarcoids in donkeys?
Risk of spread to companion
Genital region, ventral abdomen, face/lips, eyes
130
How are sarcoids treated in donkeys?
Laser surgery
BCG injections if around eyes and face
Sarcoid cream
Cryotherapy
131
How are catheters placed in donkeys?
- Thicker skin than horses – cutaneous coli muscle
- Clip and clean
- Lidocaine “bleb” or EMLA cream
- Carefully cut down skin with scalpel
- Stitch in place
132
How are castrations in donkeys done?
- Always castrate closed due to larger reproductive organs and blood vessels – inject local into the cord
- Colts <2 years old – scrotal approach
- Stallions >2 years old – inguinal approach (in theatre)
- Blood vessels must be ligated – crush for 3 minutes, 5-metric vicryl
- Aftercare - rest, exercise, bedding, feed, pain relief, cold hosing, fly prevention
133
What is the triple drip combination anaesthetic protocol in donkeys?
- 150mls 15% myolaxin (guaphenesin)
- 300mls saline
- 225mg xylazine
- 900mg ketamine
- Donkeys metabolise alpha agonist and ketamine faster, and guaphenesin slower than horse – care not to overdose
134
How are camelids handled?
- Wrap one arm around its neck and the other is placed on the shoulders
- Llamas and alpacas generally respond well to suggestion rather than force
135
What are the vital parameters for camelids?
- Temp: 37.5 – 38.9°C
- HR: 60-72 bpm
- C1 turnover – 3-4/ min
- Check faecal output – important and good indicator of healthy guts or not. If no faecal output in trouble
- Respiratory rate: 10-30/min
- Pulse: no readily accessible arteries
- Check mucous membranes for colour
136
Where are camelids microchipped?
Inject on the LHS just below the ear
137
Where can blood sampling be done in camelids?
Low on neck near thoracic inlet
Near ramus of mandible – RHS as haematoma on LHS may occlude oesophagus, be careful of hitting carotid
138
How are jugular blood samplings taken from the thoracic inlet?
- Palpate for ventral projection of 6th cervical vertebra, wrap fingers around site and occlude vessel
- Aim needle medial to projection, towards centre of neck
139
How are jugular blood samplings taken for high neck samples?
- Jugular more superficial
- Separated from carotid so less chance of puncturing
- Skin thick
- Hard to visualise so need to ballott
- Occlude vein to confirm site
140
What are the normal blood parameters of camelids?
- Urine SG 1.010-1.048
- PCV > 20% is fine (small, ellipsoid RBC’s)
- If low submit for smear
- Total protein 51-78g/l
141
What nutrition is used for camelids?
- Alpacas may not graze long grass and so can starve in a field full of the stuff
- Supplements not necessarily needed if they are feeding commercial hard feeds
142
How does rickets present in camelids?
- Ill-thrift and/or lameness, severe depression, time of year and weather
- Marked anaemia develops > recovery is uncommon
143
What is the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract in a camelid?
- 3 compartments – C1, C2, C3
- C1 and C2 are anaerobic fermentation chambers, hosting microbial flora and fauna
- C1 contractions happen ~4/ min
144
What is the best indicator for gastrointestinal disease in camelids?
Faecal output
Digital examination to establish if any faeces passing through
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What dental care is involved with camelids?
- Body condition scoring alpacas with this problem is important
- Shouldn’t do anything with teeth unless there is a problem
146
What is the presentation and treatment of tooth root abscesses in camelids?
Usually presents as a firm swelling below the check teeth of the mandible
4-6 week course of antibiotics (Amoxicillin/Co-amoxiclav or Florfenicol). If they don’t respond, extract
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What do teeth hooks cause in camelids? How are these treated?
- Ulcers on inner cheek surface
- May ball food in the side of the mouth for comfort
- Quidding
Treatment – rasping
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Which endoparasites affect camelids?
Affected by strongyles (gut worms), coccidiosis (Eimeria macusiensis - their own kind) and liver fluke
Regular FECs - individually as variable burdens
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How are endoparasites in camelids treated?
Fenbendazole PO
Ivermectin SC
Levamisole
Closantel (flukicide) - haemonchus and fluke
Zolvix
Repeat FEC in 14 days
150
How is eimeria macusaniesis treated in camelids?
- Baycox PO single dose
- Repeat FEC (< 3 weeks) to check killed
151
Which ectoparasites affect camelids?
Mites – Chorioptes, Sarcoptes, Psoroptes, and Demodex
Lice/fleas also possible
152
How are ectoparasites diagnosed in camelids?
Skin scrapes
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How is chorioptes treated in camelids?
- Bathe crusted area with keratinolytic shampoo weekly (or more) for 6-8 weeks (takes a lot of endevour from owners) – crusts needed to be lifted off
- Soothing cream
- Ivermectin injections 2 x 10 days apart
- Topical fipronil or ivermectin or deltamethrin
- Apply weekly for 6-8 weeks
154
Describe normal camelid parturition.
- 11.5 months +/- 1 month
- Udder development doesn’t correlate to parturition date
- Most give birth during daylight hours (if you get a call at like 5-6pm go asap as they have probably been trying to give birth all day), in the summer
155
What are the rare problems in camelid parturition?
- Rarely dystocia – leg/head back, torsion
- If not ‘cleansed’ try oxytocin, followed by gentle tension
- If not cleansed in 12 hours, treat as a mare: cover dam with antibiotics (Category A = Amoxicillin/Oxytetracycline/TMPS)
- Prolapse – replace as sheep
- Metritis is rare unless dystocia – antibiotics
156
Why is the placenta of camelids checked after birth?
Make sure placenta is all removed by checking if both horns are there as they can get quite toxic if any left inside
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What are the normal cria timemarkers?
Standing in 60mins
Suckling within 2 hours
Meconium passed in 24-36hrs
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How is agalactia in camelids managed?
- Colostrum can be supplemented: Goat >Sheep> cows> artificial
- Try massage of udder and oxytocin to aid milk letdown
- If no colostrum then an emergency – needs plasma transfusion
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What are dysmature cria?
- Cria could be born early or at term (11.5 months) but be ‘dysmature’
- Bent-over ears
- Hyperextension of joints
- Incisors not fully erupted
- More likely to have full plasma transfusion or at least a test of Ige and IgGs
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What are the indications of plasma transfusions?
- Known inability to suck colostrum
- Known lack of colostrum/failure of passive transfer
- Weak cria after birth
- Sick cria in first week of life
- Failure to gain weight in first 1 -3 weeks of life
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How is failure of passive transfer diagnosed?
- If TPs normal, IgGs can still be low
- Send for Camelid IgG test
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Which conditions affect cria?
Inhalational pneumonia - oxytet/florfenicol (not macrolides), poor prognosis
Congenital defects:
- Atresia coli/ani
- Heart defects
- Choanal atresia
Enteric diseases as for sheep
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What is choanal atresia in cria?
- Obligate nasal breathers, present as dyspnoeic and mouth breathing from birth
- PTS
- Rarely have just the 1 defect
164
What are the cardiac congenital defects that affect cria?
- VSD/ASD most common
- If any respiratory CS suggest scan heart
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What are the genital congenital defects that affect cria?
Intersex (vulva and testes)
Imperforate vulva – LA and cut open and with stay sutures to keep open so they can urinate
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How is hypoglycaemia in cria managed?
- Due to lack of colostrum/milk intake
- Use a glucometer - 5.5 -7.5 mmol/L normal
- Crias can easily become hyperglycaemic and blood glucose should be checked before glucose administered
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How is hyperglycaemia in cria managed?
Blood glucose 7.5 – 11 will usually correct with fluids and treatment of other problems
Blood glucose >11 mmol/L – treat with insulin
168
What may cause anaemia in camelids?
- Hameonchus contortus
- Mycoplamsa haemolamae - blood smear and PCR. Treatment – Oxytetracycline
- Trace element deficiency - often non-regenerative, bloods for iron, cobalt and copper
- Chronic disease
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How does haemonchus contortus present in camelids?
- Pale animals
- Often present as ‘sudden collapse’
- PCV may be as low as 5%
- Require blood transfusion and worming
170
What may be the cause of hypoproteinaemia in camelids?
Endoparasites
Johnes – faecal PCR
Enteritis – think of sheep/cow
Kidney disease
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How is hepatic lipidosis treated camelids?
- Glucose therapy
- Readily available food source
- No propylene glycol
- Poor prognosis and a lot of work
172
How is bovine TB in camelids managed?
Suspect in any alpacas that have a history of weight loss with/without a cough
Report to DEFRA if lesions found on PM when opened up – do not have to suspect
173
Which drugs cannot be given to camelids?
Do not use Micotil (macrolides) – they will die
174
How are drugs given to camelids?
All by SC
175
What is given to a camelid off its feed?
Consider supportive Thiamine (Vit B1)
176
When should alpacas receive fluids?
Shocky/collapsed/septic alpacas
177
How are catheters put in in alpacas?
- Mid neck region
- Local anaesthetic bleb and cut down (thick skin)
- Insert catheter at 45° to skin
- Suture in or stick in place with Elastpoplast wrap – not too tight but alpaca have muscular necks so don’t worry too much about strangulation
- Can Bolus 3-5% bodyweight
- Consider bolus 4 hourly if constant drip not feasible
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What are the clinical signs of thiamine deficiency?
- Separation from herd
- Distant mentation
- Head tremor
179
How is thiamine deficiency treated in camelids?
Supplement Vit B1 – as per bottle (every 3 – 5 hours for 24 hours) if severe
180
What doses of xylazine are given for sedation in camelids?
0.3mg/kg IV
0.6mg/kg IM
181
What are the doses for combined sedation in camelids?
0.1mg/kg butorphanol
0.2mg/kg midazolam/diazepam
0.3mg/kg xylazine
Given IV
182
What is BKX general anaesthetic protocol in camelids?
Ketamine 5 mg/kg
Xylazine 0.5 mg/kg
Butorphanol 0.05 mg/kg
Given IM
183
What is intravenous general anaesthetic protocol in camelids?
- Sedation first
- 0.2mg/kg xylazine IV
- Add IV ketamine
- Suggest start with 2mg/kg
- Can top up to 5mg/kg
- Propofol 5mg/kg good but no analgesia
