Camelids Flashcards by Beth Hunt

Ideal BCS of camelids?

Over lumbar area: Dorsal-transverse processes straighter than sheep/slightly curved

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What is the maximum volume of fluids to give to a camelid? Why? type of fluid to use?

No more than 5% of BW/24 hours
Pulmonary oedema
Use alkaline

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Which side of the neck would you place a jugular catheter for camelids?

Right (vagus nerve closer to jugular on left)

Face down due to valves

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When are camelids hypoproteinaemic (blood levels) and what could you give?

Albumin >20g/l
TP > 40g/l
Plasma
Prone ro hypoproteinaemia

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What to do if a camelid starts mouth breathing during an examination etc?

Passed stress threshold
(obligate nasal breathers)
Back off if can and give 10 min break

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Common causes of abdominal distension in camelids?

Ascites
SI obstruction
Pregnancy

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Common causes of colic in camelids?

Phytobezoar
enteritis
Spiral colon torsion

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What to vaccinate camelids for?

Clostridial disease - Heptavac
Others as required:
- Bluetongue
- Orf, leptospirosis, salmonella
- rotavirus, coronavirus, e.coli
- Abortion agents

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Control of endoparasites in camelids?

Regular FECs
Pasture management (tend to graze all year round)

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Clinical signs of endoparasite problems in camelids?

Soft faeces (diarrhoea)
Ill thrift
Anaemia (Famancha test)
Malaise and death

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When are FEC results significant in camelids?

Trichostrongyle-type: 300-400

Fluke, nematodirus, haemonchus, lungworm: 1

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Why is overstocking of camelids a problem for grazing management for endoparasites?

Camelids use dung piles

But if over-stocked, forced to graze near dung

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Which wormers can be used in camelids?

Albendazole (BZ) - never in pregnant, never >10mg/kg
Levamisol - must weigh as very narrow safety margin
MCLs - 1-1.5x sheep/cattle dose, Moxidectin for Haemonchus
Monepantel - 3x sheep dose
Don’t use Ivermectin pour ons for endoparasites as diff absorption to sheep (can use for mange mites)

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Which anti-fluke drugs are best for camelids (kill immature)? When to dose?

Triclabendazole - poss resistance
Closantel 
Albendazole - not if pregnant
High forecast: dose 6 weeks later
Typical (sheep): Oct and Jan

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Which coccidia species affects camelids? What affects immunity?

Eimeria lamae
Eimeria alpacae
Eimeria punoensis
Eimeria macusaniensis
= species specific
Reduced immunity with age and stress

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When to treat camelids for coccidia?

Early born cries at weaning
Late born cries at 2-3mo (face higher challenge earlier on)
Adults after stress
Incoming animals

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Treatment of Chorioptic and sacroptic mange for camelids? Who to treat? What to bear in mind?

Ivermectins - injectable for sarcoptic, pour-on for chorioptic
Typically 3-4 treatments 7-10d apart
Treat whole group (1 in 2 will carry)
Keep away from watercourses as highly toxic to aquatic life
In severe cases also:
- shampoo (keratolytic)
- topical ascaricide (frontline)
- skin conditioner (e.g. oil)
- systemic antibiotics

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Ddx for crusting over nose of camelids?

Nuisance flies

Photosensitisation - check liver status

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What to check for if discolouration of camelid fleece?

Blowfly strike

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What is munge in camelids? When seen? Clinical signs? Treatment?

Hyperkeratosis, severe crusting around muzzle
Unknown cause
Typically weaning and adolescent
Treat symptomatically - soak in warm water, antibiotics for secondary infections, NSAIDs)

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What causes caseous lymphadenitis in camelids?

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Don’t open abscesses if near superficial Ons as will contaminate environment

Gastric ulceration in camelids - prevalence? Who affected? Clinical signs? Treatment? Cause?

5% of deaths, 20% contributory/incidental
All age groups
Non specific clinical signs
Cause uncertain - poss inappetance –> reflux of bile, stasis of acidic material
Can use ultrasound to look for thickened walls etc
Systemic treatment - antacids if not eating well

Bovine TB clinical signs of camelids? Transmission?

Weight loss, reps disease, subdued
Tracheal lesions, military lesions, abscesses
Voluntary testing scheme - serological tests
Llama-llama, from cattle (unknown if pass back to cattle/badgers)

What is the main differential of pale mms in camelids? Other clinical signs?

Cardio-vascular compromise

Pulse deficit, heart murmur, cold extremities, CRT

Causes of anaemia in camelids?

``` Chronic disease Haemonchus, fluke Gastric ulceration Haemolysis Ivermectin toxicity Mycoplasma haemollamae ```

When to do a blood transfusion in camelids? Who can blood be taken from?

If PCV <8% | Only one blood group so reactions are rare (can take 1-2 bags from alpaca, 3 from llama)

How to differentiate between ataxia and weakness?

Ataxia - unpredictable/irregular movements, exaggerated by circles/backwards, one leg worse Weakness - muscle tremors on c/l leg when lift leg, swing phase shortened/delayed, tail pull test

Differentials for ataxia/weakness in camelids?

``` Acute/chronic blood loss Haemolysis Acute/chronic infection Copper deficiency Ivermectin toxicity ```

When to castrate camelids? How to prepare? Pre-op drugs?

>18mo - want some testosterone for skeletal development (more patella lunation if castrate too early) Prep: tetanus cover, withheld concentrates for 24 hours Drugs: penicillin and NSAIDs Check 2 testicles

Anaesthesia options for camelid castration?

Local infiltration - max 6mg/kg, along median raphe +/- intra-testicular Triple stun (ketamine, xylazine, butorphanol) +/- local - deep sedation Caudal epidural Don't stand behind as still get deep pain without GA so may kick, put bale of straw underneath if standing as will sit down as defence If recumbent - tie out like horse, nose below larynx, blindfold

What type of castration is best for camelids? Haemostasis options?

Ideally closed - prevents prolapse of tunica as testicles close to body and v short If accidentally open, just trim tunica back Haemostasis options: ligature, clamp, twist and pull

Top 3 causes of weight loss in camelids?

Parasites Tooth and jaw Bullying

When to trim camelid incisors?

Only if BCS poor, quidding etc | Care not to expose pulp cavity - shine torch to see

How to differentiate between camelid deciduous and permanent teeth? What to do if retained incisors?

Deciduous = whiter Permanent = dirtier, parallel sides Leave if coping - maintaining BCS etc

Methods of sedation for camelids? Crias?

Triple stun - xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol IV Abrahamson mix - 1000mg ketamine, 100mg xylazine, 10mg butorphanol, 1ml/18kg alpaca, 1ml/22.5kg llama, IM Cria: butorphanol and diazepam

What size ET tubes for camelids? Flowrate?

Adults: 9-12 Weanlings: 5.5-7 Cuffed 2-3L flow rate on closed circuit

Induction of camelids for GA?

``` Xylazine - IV or IM Detomidine - IV +/- Butorphanol IV plus ketamine Maintain on gas or double drip ```

Analgesia for camelids?

Fentanyl patch - 12h to peak, lasts 72h Butorphanol - only 60 mins effect? Buprenorphine - lasts 6-8h Meloxicam - 22h to peak, lasts 48-72h

Common malpresentations causing dystocia in camelids?

``` Foot/lower limb caught on pelvic brim Carpal flexion Head deviation, neck flexion Breech (posterior presentation with hip/hock flexion) Twins Small pelvis so may need C section! ```

C section of camelids? prep? Method?

``` Clean - tail wrap etc Gentle Good restraint - +/- epidural/sedation Lots of lube Clenbuterol? 15 min rule? Usually local not GA 45 degrees - lateral recumbency Left flank Incision - angled, 15cm, thin layers, layer ID less obvious, spleen obvious Gentle tissue handling - generous incision, lavage don't swab ```

When are foetal membranes usually passed by camelids? What to do if retained?

Normally in 1-3 hours Retained when > 6h Gentle pull, oxytocin, systemic check (temp)

What is weird about camelid glucose levels?

Can have high insulin resistance so can quickly change from hypoglycaemia to hyerglycaemia so need to be careful (good if have glucose monitor)

What are the sub-types of llama?

Huacaya (commonest) | Suri (dreadlock fleece)

What is a intact male, castrated male, young/unweaned, weaned camelid called?

Intact male: stud Castrated male: gelding Young/unweaned: cria Weaned: adolescent

What does 'kush' mean?

Position of sternal recumbency - submission posture

What are the 3 camelid stomach compartments?

C1 - largest (15-25L), similar to rumen but more secretory C2 - 1-2L C1 and C2 - saccule on ventral aspects secrete bicarbonate, both involved in mixing C3 - tubular stomach, proximal 75% epithelium similar to saccule, distal 25% acid secretion

Intestine and abdo organ anatomy of camelids?

Similar to ruminants Double helix spiral colon Smooth spleen like sheep No gall bladder

What glands do camelids have on their legs?

Metatarsal glands on inside of hind legs | Interdigital glands on all 4 feet

Camelid udder anatomy

4 quarters with 4 teats | Each quarter has 2 glands and 2 openings in teat

Diagnosis of: - 4yo male llama - chronic weight loss and lethargy over past 6 months - used for trekking for tourists - over past 12 weeks has developed progressive moist cough and dyspnoea with reduced exercise tolerance - repeated courses of fluoroquinolone have had no effect - thin with moist cough on presentation - US: pulmonary lesions and excessive pleural fluid

Mycobacterium bovis