L2: Camelid Medicine Pt.1 (Mallicote)

Question 1

Adult male camelid

Answer 1

Macho

Question 2

2 types of alpaca

Answer 2

Huacaya

Suri (more valuable)

Question 3

3 compartments of camelids (pseudo-ruminants)

Answer 3

C1: 83% by volume of stomach contents
C2: 6% volume; intermixes with C1
C3: true stomach, has tubular structure. First 3/4 is glandular, last 1/4 is acid secreting

• C1 and C2 secrete bicarbonate to buffer pH in C1
• C1 should have 3-4 contractions per minute**

Question 4

Anatomical anomalies of camelids compared to other ruminants

Answer 4

• small elliptical RBCs
• foot has toenails and soft pad
• liver is in R abdomen
• NO GALL BLADDER*
• spiral colon
• elongated soft palate; primarily nasal breathers*
• induced ovulators, no estrus cycle
• diffuse placenta

Question 5

Normal cria vitals

Answer 5

T: 99-102
HR: 60-100
RR: 10-40

Question 6

Normal adult camelid vitals

Answer 6

T: 99-102.5
HR: 60-80
RR: 20-30

Question 7

Swellings under jaw most likely due to

Answer 7

Tooth abscesses

Question 8

History of choke most likely due to

Answer 8

Megaesophagus

Question 9

Normal WBC count for camelids

Answer 9

5,000 to 25,000 cells/ul (high)

Question 10

Na, Cl, and bicarb compared to other ruminants

Answer 10

Na and Cl often higher

Bicarb can be lower

Question 11

Adult fluid maintenance requirement

Answer 11

30-40 ml/kg/day

Question 12

Vaccinations for camelids

Answer 12

• NONE approved
• Clostridium C/D and tetanus are recommended
• Rabies recommended regionally
• others: EEE, WNV, 7 way Clostridial

Question 13

General deworming guidelines

Answer 13

• fecal float with Stoll’s technique rec.
• resistant parasites emerging in SE
• use FAMACHA
• use Ponazuril for Eimeria macusamiensis
• use Ivermectin, Fenbendazole, Levamisole, or Moxidectin PO for haemonchus and other GI parasites

Question 14

Normal camelid gestation

Answer 14

330-360 days

*very susceptible to stress-related abortions

Question 15

How long do stages of labor last?

Answer 15

1: 2-6 hrs
2:

Question 16

Epidermal membrane

Answer 16

Opaque membrane covering the surface of the fetal body, head, neck, and limbs in the near full term fetus (unique to camelids)

Question 17

When should you intervene with retained placenta?

Answer 17

If still retained at 6 hrs after birth

Question 18

First events for a cria (timeline)

Answer 18

Sternal: 5-15 mins
Standing: 1-2 hrs
Nursing: 2-4 hrs
Urinate: 6-18 hrs
Meconium: 12-24 hrs

Question 19

Umbilical care

Answer 19

Treat with dilute chlorhexidine q6-8 hrs for first day of life

Question 20

Adult female camelid

Answer 20

Hembra

Question 21

GI closure occurs how long after birth?

Answer 21

6-8 hrs

*early recognition of failure of passive transfer is crucial

Question 22

How much colostrum should crias consume?

Answer 22

5% of body weight in first 6 hours

10% of BW in first 10-20 hours

Goat or cow colostrum may be used if llama or alpaca unavailable

Question 23

Gold standard for IgG measurement**

Answer 23

RID

-adequate IgG is at least 1,000 mg/dl

Question 24

Other measures of passive transfer besides IgG

Answer 24

Serum TP
>5.5 g/dl is probably adequate

If inadequate, can give IV or IP plasma at 15-25 ml/kg

Question 25

Complications of giving IV plasma to crias

Answer 25

- rapid breathing - anaphylaxis - difficult catheterization - rapid breathing - death

Question 26

Complications of giving IP plasma to crias

Answer 26

- abd cramping - colic - adhesions - punctured bladder or intestine - went SC instead of IP

Question 27

Signs of prematurity in crias

Answer 27

- low birth weight - weak, weak suckle - abnormal mentation - floppy ears - incisors not erupted - silky fine coat - poor thermoreg.

Question 28

When to intervene with premature crias

Answer 28

- weak, unable to stand - hasn't nursed in 3-4 hrs - no colostrum, no meconium passed - hypothermia or fever - diarrhea >12-24 hrs

Question 29

What percent of crias suffer from some disease condition between birth and weaning?

Answer 29

36%

Question 30

Choanal atresia in crias

Answer 30

Congenital defect that results in blockage of airflow through nasal passages CS: open mouth breathing, not nursing well, puffy cheeks Dx: pass a soft catheter up each nostril: will stop at level of medial canthus of eye; confirm with contrast rads Tx: sx (not usually recommended)

Question 31

Dx of sepsis in crias

Answer 31

CS: fever or hypothermia, hypoglycemia, signs of localizing infection Confirm dx with blood culture Crias do NOT always have changes in bloodwork or on PE

Question 32

Tx of sepsis

Answer 32

- treat failure of passive transfer with plasma, colostrum - broad spectrum abx (Naxcel, Penicillin, Amikacin) - IV fluids, oxygen, supportive care - correct dehydration, address hypoglycemia

Question 33

IV fluid rate in (septic) qcrias

Answer 33

80-100 ml/kg/day (much higher than adults)

Question 34

Complications of sepsis

Answer 34

- pneumonia - diarrhea - umbilical infection - joint sepsis - liver abscesses or kidney failure

Question 35

Bacterial organisms in sepsis

Answer 35

- E. Coli most common - Enterococcus, Listeria, and Citrobacter - other: staph aureus, strep, actinobacillus, klebsiella - salmonella less common than in foals

Question 36

Prognosis of septic crias

Answer 36

- guarded (improves early intervention) | - tx for 2 wks indicated if blood culture positive