Camelids

Question 1

Give some signs of discomfort in a camelid

Answer 1

Ear position
Teeth grinding/groaning
Body position eg restless

Question 2

How would you take a jugular blood sample from a camelid?

Answer 2

Find C5 and C6 (bony processes)

Allow finger to slip medially into jugular groove to raise vein

Question 3

Why should you take care when giving glucose to camelids?

Answer 3

They are quite insulin-resistant

Question 4

What kind of fluids should you give to camelids?

Answer 4

Alkaline

Question 5

Where can you take a blood sample from in camelids?

Answer 5

Cephalic, jugular, saphenous veins

Question 6

Which jugular vein should you use in camelids and why?

Answer 6

Right

Oesophagus is on the left, plus the vagal nerve runs close to the left jugular

Question 7

How much would a camelid’s BCS decrease by before you called a vet?

Answer 7

1 point

2 point -> urgent

Question 8

Give the ideal values of albumin and TP

Answer 8

Albumin: >20g/L
TP: >40g/L

Question 9

Give some common causes of abdominal distension

Answer 9

Ascites, SI obstruction, pregnancy

Question 10

Give some common causes of colic

Answer 10

Phytobezoar, enteritis, spiral colon torsion

Question 11

How can you asses rumen function?

Answer 11

Listen on both sides for 2 mins, 6-8 rumbles = good rumen function

Question 12

Where can you give IM injections?

Answer 12

Quadriceps (semintendinous), gluteals

Question 13

Where can you give SC injections?

Answer 13

In front of shoulder, behind elbow (less fleece)

Question 14

Where should you microchip a camelid?

Answer 14

Upper left neck (30-45o angle)

Question 15

What are camelids vaccinated against?

Answer 15

Clostridial diseases

As required: BTV, lepto, rotavirus etc

Question 16

Give some clinical signs of worms in camelids

Answer 16

Soft faeces, ill thrift, anaemia, malaise, death

Question 17

Give the cut-off values for FEC eggs per gram of:
Trichostrongyles
Fluke, nemoatodirus
Haemonchus, lungworm

Answer 17

Trichostrongyles: 300-400
Fluke, nemoatodirus: 1 (use NADIS to know when to treat)
Haemonchus, lungworm: any are noteworthy

Question 18

How can you identify Haemonchus?

Answer 18

Fluorescent staining in lab

Question 19

When is albendazole CI?

Answer 19

When pregnant

Question 20

Why should you be careful when treating parasites with levamisole?

Answer 20

Toxic

Use only if you can accurately weigh animal

Question 21

Why are IV anthelmintics used instead of pour ons?

Answer 21

Poor absorption with pour ons

Question 22

Name 4 eimeria species specific to camelids

Answer 22

E. lamae
E. alpacae
E. punoensis
E. macusaniensis

Question 23

When should you treat against coccidiosis?

Answer 23

Early-born crias at weaning
Late-born crias at 2-3 months
Adults after stress
Incoming adults

Question 24

Where would you usually see chorioptic and sarcoptic mites?

Answer 24

Chorioptic: abdomen
Sarcoptic: head

Question 25

How do you treat mange?

Answer 25

Ivermectin Injectable for sarcoptic mite as it is a burrowing mite Pour-on for chorioptic as it is a surface mite Typically 3-4 treatments, 7-10 days apart Treat the whole group Severe cases: shampoo, topical acaricide, antibiotics, skin conditioner

Question 26

When is hyperkeratosis usually seen?

Answer 26

Weaning age, adolescent

Question 27

What causes caseous lymphadenitis?

Answer 27

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Question 28

Give some clinical indicators of anaemia

Answer 28

Pale mm, pulse deficit, heart murmur, cold extremities, increased CRT

Question 29

Give some possible causes of anaemia

Answer 29

Haemolysis, chronic disease, haemonchosis, fluke, gastric ulceration, ivermectin toxicity, mycoplasma haemollamae (blood parasite specific to camelids)

Question 30

Why are cross reactions rare in blood transfusions in camelids?

Answer 30

Only 1 blood group

Question 31

How much blood can you take from an alpaca and llama?

Answer 31

Alpaca: 1L Llama: 1.5L

Question 32

What does hypophosphataemia indicate?

Answer 32

Muscle weakness

Question 33

When is castration carried out?

Answer 33

Over 18 months

Question 34

What are the anaesthesia options for castration?

Answer 34

``` Local infiltration (max. 6mg/kg BW) along median raphe +/- intra-testicular Triple stun (+/- local) Caudal epidural (1ml/45kg BW) ```

Question 35

Why is closed castration preferred over open?

Answer 35

Tunica vaginalis can prolapse as scrotum is not very pendulous

Question 36

What are the 3 most common causes of weight loss?

Answer 36

Parasites Tooth problems Bullying over food

Question 37

Which sedation compromises a triple stun?

Answer 37

Xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol

Question 38

Which sedation would you give a cria?

Answer 38

Butorphanol and diazepam

Question 39

Give some maternal and foetal causes of dystocia

Answer 39

Maternal: insufficient dilation, failure to expulse Foetal: malposture, posterior presentationl, monstrosity

Question 40

During labour, when are foetal membranes usually passed?

Answer 40

In 1-3 hours | Classed as 'retained' if over 6 hours