L2: Camelid Medicine Pt.1 (Mallicote) Flashcards
Adult male camelid
Macho
2 types of alpaca
Huacaya
Suri (more valuable)
3 compartments of camelids (pseudo-ruminants)
C1: 83% by volume of stomach contents
C2: 6% volume; intermixes with C1
C3: true stomach, has tubular structure. First 3/4 is glandular, last 1/4 is acid secreting
- C1 and C2 secrete bicarbonate to buffer pH in C1
- C1 should have 3-4 contractions per minute**
Anatomical anomalies of camelids compared to other ruminants
- small elliptical RBCs
- foot has toenails and soft pad
- liver is in R abdomen
- NO GALL BLADDER*
- spiral colon
- elongated soft palate; primarily nasal breathers*
- induced ovulators, no estrus cycle
- diffuse placenta
Normal cria vitals
T: 99-102
HR: 60-100
RR: 10-40
Normal adult camelid vitals
T: 99-102.5
HR: 60-80
RR: 20-30
Swellings under jaw most likely due to
Tooth abscesses
History of choke most likely due to
Megaesophagus
Normal WBC count for camelids
5,000 to 25,000 cells/ul (high)
Na, Cl, and bicarb compared to other ruminants
Na and Cl often higher
Bicarb can be lower
Adult fluid maintenance requirement
30-40 ml/kg/day
Vaccinations for camelids
- NONE approved
- Clostridium C/D and tetanus are recommended
- Rabies recommended regionally
- others: EEE, WNV, 7 way Clostridial
General deworming guidelines
- fecal float with Stoll’s technique rec.
- resistant parasites emerging in SE
- use FAMACHA
- use Ponazuril for Eimeria macusamiensis
- use Ivermectin, Fenbendazole, Levamisole, or Moxidectin PO for haemonchus and other GI parasites
Normal camelid gestation
330-360 days
*very susceptible to stress-related abortions
How long do stages of labor last?
1: 2-6 hrs
2:
Epidermal membrane
Opaque membrane covering the surface of the fetal body, head, neck, and limbs in the near full term fetus (unique to camelids)
When should you intervene with retained placenta?
If still retained at 6 hrs after birth
First events for a cria (timeline)
Sternal: 5-15 mins Standing: 1-2 hrs Nursing: 2-4 hrs Urinate: 6-18 hrs Meconium: 12-24 hrs
Umbilical care
Treat with dilute chlorhexidine q6-8 hrs for first day of life
Adult female camelid
Hembra
GI closure occurs how long after birth?
6-8 hrs
*early recognition of failure of passive transfer is crucial
How much colostrum should crias consume?
5% of body weight in first 6 hours
10% of BW in first 10-20 hours
Goat or cow colostrum may be used if llama or alpaca unavailable
Gold standard for IgG measurement**
RID
-adequate IgG is at least 1,000 mg/dl
Other measures of passive transfer besides IgG
Serum TP
>5.5 g/dl is probably adequate
If inadequate, can give IV or IP plasma at 15-25 ml/kg
Complications of giving IV plasma to crias
- rapid breathing
- anaphylaxis
- difficult catheterization
- rapid breathing
- death
Complications of giving IP plasma to crias
- abd cramping
- colic
- adhesions
- punctured bladder or intestine
- went SC instead of IP
Signs of prematurity in crias
- low birth weight
- weak, weak suckle
- abnormal mentation
- floppy ears
- incisors not erupted
- silky fine coat
- poor thermoreg.
When to intervene with premature crias
- weak, unable to stand
- hasn’t nursed in 3-4 hrs
- no colostrum, no meconium passed
- hypothermia or fever
- diarrhea >12-24 hrs
What percent of crias suffer from some disease condition between birth and weaning?
36%
Choanal atresia in crias
Congenital defect that results in blockage of airflow through nasal passages
CS: open mouth breathing, not nursing well, puffy cheeks
Dx: pass a soft catheter up each nostril: will stop at level of medial canthus of eye; confirm with contrast rads
Tx: sx (not usually recommended)
Dx of sepsis in crias
CS: fever or hypothermia, hypoglycemia, signs of localizing infection
Confirm dx with blood culture
Crias do NOT always have changes in bloodwork or on PE
Tx of sepsis
- treat failure of passive transfer with plasma, colostrum
- broad spectrum abx (Naxcel, Penicillin, Amikacin)
- IV fluids, oxygen, supportive care
- correct dehydration, address hypoglycemia
IV fluid rate in (septic) qcrias
80-100 ml/kg/day (much higher than adults)
Complications of sepsis
- pneumonia
- diarrhea
- umbilical infection
- joint sepsis
- liver abscesses or kidney failure
Bacterial organisms in sepsis
- E. Coli most common
- Enterococcus, Listeria, and Citrobacter
- other: staph aureus, strep, actinobacillus, klebsiella
- salmonella less common than in foals
Prognosis of septic crias
- guarded (improves early intervention)
- tx for 2 wks indicated if blood culture positive
