Llamas, Alpacas & Camelidae Flashcards
Your neighbor and friend recently acquired several llamas for his farm. He, of course, would like for you to provide veterinary care and advice. He would like to breed one of the females but knows nothing about breeding llamas. However, he has bred his mare before and does have some knowledge of equine reproduction. Which of the following do you tell him?
- Llamas are induced ovulators and do not have regular estrous cycles
- Llamas cycle every 6 months; monitor for behavioral signs of estrous and separate the breeding female into a pen with the male for 7 to 10 days
- Llamas are seasonally polyestrous in captivity and cycle when day length is long
- Llamas cycle every 21 days like goats during months March to July and are spontaneous ovulators
Answer: Llamas are induced ovulators and do not have regular estrous cycles
Explanation
Llamas are unique and don’t have a normal heat cycle. The female llama is an induced ovulator. An egg is released around 24 to 42 hours after mating and often fertilized on the first attempt. They may be bred at any time of year.
Also, note that llamas are also unique in that they mate in a kush (lying down) position, and mating lasts for 20-45 minutes.
**PowerPage: Top 10 Things to Know for Camelids
**PowerLecture: Camelid Reproduction
You are called to examine a herd of camels which are having diarrhea and exhibiting signs of weight loss and poor body condition. They are on appropriate feed and supplements and their environment appears suitable. The owner says she deworms them once monthy with Ivermectin. You explain that despite her de-worming efforts, there is a good chance they may have an infection of which intestinal parasite?
- Hookworm
- Tapeworm
- Whipworm
- Giardia
Answer: Whipworm
Explanation
Camels are highly susceptible to whipworm infection. Whipworm is suspected to be the most common cause of diarrhea in adult camels in the US. Ivermectin, which is so commonly used, is not typically effective against whipworms which have developed a resistance over time. Panacur is the most effective and safe dewormer for whipworms in camels.
A 3-year old llama presents to you with ataxia and hindlimb paresis that began in the hind limbs and progressed to the front limbs over the course of 2 months. Bloodwork is unremarkable, and vertebral radiography is within normal limits. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis shows eosinophilia. *What is the most likely diagnosis?**
- Cervical spondylopathy
- Bacterial meningitis
- Taenia saginata
- Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
- Tick paralysis
- Listeriosis
Answer: Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
Explanation
The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), also known as the deer worm or meningeal deer worm, frequently infects llamas and alpacas. The definitive host is the white-tailed deer, but llamas and alpacas are aberrant hosts and typically display neurologic signs that may include hypermetria, ataxia, stiffness, muscle weakness, posterior paresis, paralysis, arching neck, and circling. Clinical signs generally begin in the hind limbs and progress to the front limbs. The course of disease is variable.
The key to answering this question is recognizing the eosinophilia in the CS fluid which suggests a parasitic infection. Taenia saginata is a beef tapeworm which can infect humans. The other choices are less likely in this case due to the CSF findings.
There may be a few questions on camelids on your board exam. There are a few diseases that are specific to them that are worth knowing a little bit about for your exam including choanal atresia and meningeal worm infections.
***PowerPage: Top 10 Things to Know for Camelids
It is winter, and you are called to examine a herd of camels that have developed a severe skin condition over the last 2 weeks. The farmer noticed that the camels were losing hair around their head and neck and has now spread down the entire body. On exam, some areas appear swollen and there is hairloss and wrinkling of the skin. The camels are rubbing up against each other and against fences and trees due to intense pruritus. You tell the farmer that the camels most likely have which condition?
- Selenium deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Dermatophytosis
- Sarcoptic mange
- Warbles
Answer: Sarcoptic mange
Explanation
Infection with Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli is most likely and is the only type of mange to infect camels. It is most common in the winter when the camels huddle together for warmth, thus increasing direct contact with each other. The mange typically starts around the head and neck and then spreads to the rest of the body.
You are called out to examine a 4-year old dromedary who was castrated 10-days ago and is now not eating. The groin and prepucial area are extremely swollen. The camel is unable to stand and is drooling. His neck is extended and he appears to be unable to swallow. Which of the following is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
- Clostridium tetani
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Trypanosoma evansi
- Rabies virus
Answer: Clostridium tetani
Explanation
This camel is showing signs of tetanus. The organism was likely introduced into the body through the castration wound. It is recommended that camels are vaccinated against tetanus prior to castration. Reference: Trop Anim Health Prod. 2004 Apr; 36(3):217-24.
While rabies may cause paralysis of the tongue and difficulty swallowing, the recent history of castration in this camel makes tetanus most likely.
Trypanosoma evansi is transmitted via biting flies and causes a slow wasting disease in camels.
A 1-month old female alpaca presents to you for difficulty breathing and difficulty nursing. On your physical exam, you note that the cria is open mouth breathing. You also note that it has extra digits. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Congenital hepatic lipidosis
- Guttural pouch empyema
- Choanal atresia
- Nasopharyngeal polyp
- Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (meningeal worm)
- Guttural pouch emphysema
Answer: Choanal atresia
Explanation
There may be a few questions on camelids on your board exam. There are a few diseases that are specific to them that are worth knowing a little bit about for your exam including choanal atresia and meningeal worm infections.
Choanal atresia is one of the most common congenital defects in alpacas. It occurs when the normal opening between the nasal and pharyngeal areas is blocked by membranous tissue and/or bone. Signs of this condition are labored breathing, prolonged and difficult expiration, open-mouthed breathing, choking and gagging while nursing, cyanosis, weakness, lack of weight gain, and aerophagia.
Euthanasia is typically recommended, as the prognosis is poor even with surgical correction. These animals frequently have additional congenital abnormalities such as polydactyly, cardiac, renal or reproductive organ defects.
***PowerPage: Top 10 Things to Know for Camelids
