Alpacas

Question 1

Body scoring alpacas

Answer 1

Muscles over the thoracic spine at the level of the last ribs– not the pelvic area

This is a good way to find a sick alpaca

Question 2

Spotting the sick one

Answer 2

Question 3

How much feed?

Answer 3

Question 4

Pasture and water supply?

Answer 4

Question 5

Roughage with alpacas?

Answer 5

Question 6

Answer 6

Question 7

WHy is vit D a common def. in alpacas?

Answer 7

Question 8

Feed supplements

Answer 8

Do not feed pellets= lactic acidosis

Question 9

Feed considerations in alpacas with their hierarchy

Answer 9

Question 10

Feed wastage

Answer 10

Question 11

Keep it simple nutrition alpacas

Answer 11

Question 12

Clinical examination of alpacas

Answer 12

Question 13

Opthalmoscopic examination

Answer 13

•

Find a dark area

•

Use magnification

•

Tropicamide (Mydriacyl) may take 20-45

minutes to effect dilation, so plan for that

Question 14

Congenital ocular conditions

Answer 14

Question 15

Aural examination alpacas

Answer 15

Question 16

Diagnostic procedures, alpacas

Answer 16

Question 17

Diagnostic pitfalls in alpacas

Answer 17

Question 18

Landmarks for venepuncture

Answer 18

Question 19

Llamas v. alpacas venepuncture

Answer 19

Question 20

Caring for the sick alpaca

Answer 20

Question 21

Energy metabolism of sick camelids

Answer 21

Question 22

Fluid movement associated with persistent hyperglycemia

Answer 22

•

Lipid metabolism disoders may occur –

especially in lactating and pregnant females

•

Most sick alpacas become

hypoalbuminaemic

•

Hepatic lipidosis – end point of blood

glucose not meeting demand : similar to

ketosis in conventional ruminants

Question 23

Responding to the sick camelid

Answer 23

Question 24

Injection technique and sites in an alpaca

Answer 24

Injection technique

•

Sterile technique

•

Most injections given subcutaneously

•

The skin of alpacas is quite tightly attached

compared to other species

•

Use the skin in front of and behind the

“shoulder blade” – there is very little

“loose” skin on the camelid

Question 25

Unlikely disorders in alpacas

Answer 25

Question 26

Likely disorders in alpacas

Answer 26

Likely disorders • Alpacas are very hardy • We see • - some skin problems, often allergic • - occasional gastro enteric disorders • - occasional neurological upsets • - occasional parasitic problems • - cancer likely in older animals • Ear infection, foreign bodies - ear carriage will be down, may shake head. Alpacas have narrow ears and may need sedation for adequate examination • Weepy eyes, suspect grass seeds. May be hidden by third eyelid

Question 27

Neurological disorders in alpacas

Answer 27

• Congenital abnormalities • Pasture toxicities - perennial rye & phalaris • Snakebite • Ixodes holocyclis • Heat stress - high temp & humidity in combination • Polioencephalomalacia • Hepatic encephalopathy • Meningitis, otitis media • Hypocalcemia • Aspergillosis • Cryptococcosis • Angiostrogylus cantonensis

Question 28

Sporidesmin

Answer 28

Question 29

Perennial ryegrass staggers

Answer 29

Question 30

Skin disorders in alpacas

Answer 30

Question 31

Biting lice in alpacas

Answer 31

Biting lice • Presence of Bovicola breviceps documented in Australian alpaca herds • Affects all camelids in South America • Most common base of tail, thorax, abdomen & upper limbs • Feed on scurf (“chewing lice”) • Life cycle 2-5 weeks – adults live 30-50 days • Host specific for camelids • Transmission – close contact (e.g. mating) or grooming instruments • Diagnosis – 1.0 – 1.5 mm long, photophobic so often hard to find, examine hairs for eggs attached at the base of the shaft • Control – no products registered – must be safe and avoid fleece residues & staining • Advisable to add wetting agents • Spinosad (Extinosad® - Elanco) – a jetting fluid + surfactant at 17 day intervals was effective in our herd • Note – Off label use • The active ingredient kills adults and nymphs but not eggs

Question 32

Neonatal assessment of crias

Answer 32

Question 33

Congenital problems

Answer 33

Congenital cardiac disease • VSD - 60% • PDA - 20% • Other - 20% • (Data from CSU - 4% of animals examined sonographically)

Question 34

Neonate... suspect?

Answer 34

Question 35

Choanal atresia

Answer 35

Question 36

Geriatric camelids

Answer 36

Question 37

Following up a sick alpaca

Answer 37

Question 38

At risk group vit D def

Answer 38

Question 39

Vit D levels in Southern Victoria

Answer 39

Question 40

Clinical signs of vitamin D deficiency

Answer 40

Question 41

Diagnostic approach to limb disorders

Answer 41

Question 42

Diagnosis of vit D deficiency

Answer 42

Question 43

Exceptions to the rule in vit D deficiency

Answer 43

Question 44

Alpaca anaesthesia

Answer 44

Question 45

Special considerations in alpaca anaesthesia

Answer 45

Question 46

Avoiding aspiration in alpacas

Answer 46

Question 47

Intubation techniques in alpacas

Answer 47

Question 48

Endoscope guided intubation advantages and disadvantages

Answer 48

Question 49

Ideal anaesthesia

Answer 49

Question 50

Monitoring anaesthesia

Answer 50

Question 51

Recovery from anaesthesia

Answer 51

Question 52

Analgesia

Answer 52

Question 53

Keeping to fibres away from clipped area

Answer 53

Question 54

Answer 54

Tooth root abscess

Question 55

Tooth removal

Answer 55

Question 56

Laparoscopy

Answer 56

Question 57

Lapartomy

Answer 57

Question 58

C-section alpacas

Answer 58

Question 59

Answer 59

Phytobezoar- A phytobezoar is a type of bezoar, or trapped mass in the gastrointestinal system, that consists of components of indigestible plant material

Question 60

Celiotomy

Answer 60

vaginal celiotomy incision into the abdominal cavity through the vagina.

Question 61

Orthopaedic disease in alpacas

Answer 61

Question 62

Diagnosis?

Answer 62

Question 63

Answer 63

Practice Tip • Always consider the possibility of the presence of a sequestrum in a young animal with a single limb lameness • The index of suspicion rises if there is a discharging sinus • Take a radiograph and if confirmed perform surgery – this is a surgical disease!

Question 64

FECs in crias and weaners? What is a nematode of concern?

Answer 64

Question 65

Adults and tuis (yearlings) FECs? Nematode of concern?

Answer 65