Small Ruminants: Camelid Health and Welfare Flashcards
What should be assessed about the group?
Bright, alert and responsive
With group, same rank
Cudding, feeding, drinking
- How is BCS measured?
- What should be done if there is a reduction in BW by 1/2, 1 and 2?
- Same as sheep- ideal 2.5/3
- 1/5- observe, 1- vet, 2- urgent
Assume animal sicker then appears
What are common signs of abnormality in camelids?
Response to you/environment
Colic- less violent then horse
How is blood taken from a camelid?
- C5/C6 lateral protrusion (spinous process)
- Thumb slips medially to raise jugular for sampling
- Needle to follow cranially and parallel to the neck
How can IV be injected IV?
- If that sick that needs IV- clip
- Clipped higher up where the jugular is seen raising
- Do not enter carotid- pumps
How should camelids be treated with fluids?
Do not go above maintencance- 2ml/kg/hr
* Care with glucose- only if can monitor- can cause hypoglycaemia
* Shock rates- prone to pulmonary effusions
Youngsters and adults use alkaline fluids
What side should a jugular cathether be placed in?
Right it right
Avoids vagus and oesophagus
What is the goal of plasma treatment of albumin and TP?
FPT
Albumin >20 g/l
TP >40 g/l
What does this animal show?
Stress fold below the eye
Mouth breathing
Leave alone for 15 mins if possible
What does abdominal distention in camelids suggest more then other ruminants?
Ascites, SI obstruction, pregnancy
Vs
Bloat
What does colic suggest in camelids opposed to other ruminants?
Phytobezoar, enteritis, spiral colon torsion
Vs
Gaseous distension
How can oral medication be given to camelids?
Small size foal tube
Lamb feeding tube for young
Where can a microchip be placed in camelids?
Upper left neck- care with angle
30-45 degrees
What vaccination can be given to camelids?
Clostridial- a must
Others:
* Blue tongue
* Orf
* Leptospirosis
* Salmonellosis
* Rota
* Coronavirus
* E.coli
* Abortion agents
Immunity last unknown- reccomend 3-6 months
Orf- live- only if must
- What endoparasites can affect camelids?
- What are the clinical signs?
- Same as cattle and sheep- fluke, haemonchus
- Soft faeces, ill thrift, anaemia, malasie and death
What are the cut offs for the following endoparasites?
1. Trichostrongyle
2. Fluke, nematodirus
3. Haemonchus, lungworm
- 300-400
- 1
- Any note worthy
Dung piles and poo pciking aid in pasture contamination
What can be used to worm camelids?
Benzimidazoles- albendazole (never pregnant, never >10mg/kg)
Levamisol- only if able to weigh
MCLs- moxidectin for haemonchus
Montepantel- 3x sheep dose
- If there is a high forecast when should camelids be fluked?
- What are the typical high forecast months?
- What are the drugs used?
- Dose 6 weeks later
- Oct and Jan
- Triclabendazole, closantel, albendazole, clorsulon
What 4 coccidiosis can affect camelids?
Eimeira lamae
Eimeria Punoensis
Eimeria alpacae
Eimeria macusaniensis
Big Mac- very large, severe ilness with low counts
When can coccidia be treated and controlled?
Treat
* Early born crias- weaning
* Late born crias- 2-3mo
* Adults after stress
* Incoming animals
Control:
Move troughs
Which is chorioptic which is sarcoptic mange?
Left chorioptic
Right sarcoptic
Interdigital space best for skin scrapes
How and with what can camelids be treated for mange?
Ivermectins
* Injectable for sarcoptic mange
* Pour on for chorioptic
* 3-4 treatments
* 7-10 days apart
Treat the whole group
Keep away from water courses
What can be used for severe cases of mange?
- Shampoo- keratolytic
- Topical acaricide- fronline
- Skin conditioner
- ABs
What does this image show
Munge, hyperkeratosis
Typically weaning age and adolescent- idiopathic
What needs to be ruled out for lumps?
CLA- caseous lymphadenitis
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Especially if near lymph node
Don’t shear till last
What can be used to treat gastric ulceration?
Ranitidine, pantoprazole needs to be given systemically
Can be considered in any inappetant animal
Cause unknown
What are the three types of lesions cause in camelids by bovine tuberculosis?
Abscessation- lungs
Ulcerative lesions- trachea
Mamillary lesions- spleen/liver
What serological tests can be used for Bovine TB?
Voluntary testing scheme
Idexx
StatPak
Enferplex
- What are the main DDxs for anaemia of camelids?
- What can be checked in field for compromise?
- Cardiovascular compromise
- Pulse defecit, heart murmur, cold extremities, CRT
How can anaemia be correctly measures?
- Elliptical blood cells (calibrate machine)
- PCV manually
If thrombocytes very high machine not calibrated
What can commonly cause anaemia in camelids?
- Chronic disease
- Haemonchiosis- fluke
- Gastric ulceration
- Haemolysis
- Ivermectin toxicity
- Mycoplasma haemollame
How can a camelid be blood transfused?
Commonly companion- ask
* Can cope to 10% PCV
* Depends on how fast blood loss is
* only 1 blood group
* Monitoring difficult- PCV can take 4-6 weeks
* 1 litre increases PCV by 5%
- How old do camelids need to be for castration?
- What preparation needs to be done?
- What should be given immediately pre-op?
- > 18 mo
- Tetanus cover, withhold concentrated for 24 hours
- ABs and NSAIDs
What anaesthesia can be used for castrations?
Local infiltration
* Max 6mg/kg
* Along median raphe
* ± intra-testicular
Triple stun ± local
Caudal epidural 1ml/45kg Bw
How are camelids castrated?
- Recumbent- tie out, nose below larynx, blindfold
- Duct tape for llama fur
- Closed technique
- Haemostasis- ligature, clamp, twist and pull
What are the top 3 differentials for weight loss?
Parasites
Tooth and Jaw
Bullying
What are common tooth and jaw issues?
How are they treated?
Oversize incisors- trimming if poor BCS/quidding (care not to expose pulp cavity)
Retained incisors- deciduous- white, permanent- dirty
Maxillary/mandibular abscess- radiography/CRT
What are the three methods of sedation of camelids?
Triple stun: IV
* Xylazine
* ketamine
* butorphanol
Abrahamson mix: IM
* Ketamine
* Xylazine
* butorphanol
Cria
* Butorphamol
* Diazepam
What is induction and analgesia similar to?
Messi
(GOATs)
What are common malpresentations of neonates in camelids?
- Foot/lower limb caught on pelvic rim
- Twins
C- Section
* Carpal flexion
* Head deviation, neck flexion
* Breech
What is important to note when delivering crias with camelid pelvis?
Small pelvis
Gain 1-2 cm by rotating foetus 30-45 degrees
Describe considerations of Ceaser in camelids?
- Local > GA
- 45 degree- lateral recumbancy
- Left flank
- Incision- angled 15cm, thin layers
- Care of spleen
- Gentle tissue handling
When should foetal membranes normally pass by?
What is the protocol of retained?
Normally passed 1-3 hours
Retained >6 hours
* Gentle pull
* Oxytocin
* Systemic check- T
What peri-parturitent complications can happen?
- Retained membranes
- Uterine torsion
- Vaginal prolapse
- Uterine prolapse
- Mastitis
- Endometritis
How should diarrhoea be treated in crias?
Fluids
Oral: care with sodum
IV if very watery diarrhoea
Milk
