Small Ruminants: Camelid Health and Welfare

Question 1

What should be assessed about the group?

Answer 1

Bright, alert and responsive
With group, same rank
Cudding, feeding, drinking

Question 2

1. How is BCS measured?
2. What should be done if there is a reduction in BW by 1/2, 1 and 2?

Answer 2

1. Same as sheep- ideal 2.5/3
2. 1/5- observe, 1- vet, 2- urgent

Assume animal sicker then appears

Question 3

What are common signs of abnormality in camelids?

Answer 3

Response to you/environment
Colic- less violent then horse

Question 4

How is blood taken from a camelid?

Answer 4

1. C5/C6 lateral protrusion (spinous process)
2. Thumb slips medially to raise jugular for sampling
3. Needle to follow cranially and parallel to the neck

Question 4

How can IV be injected IV?

Answer 4

• If that sick that needs IV- clip
• Clipped higher up where the jugular is seen raising
• Do not enter carotid- pumps

Question 5

How should camelids be treated with fluids?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What side should a jugular cathether be placed in?

Answer 6

Right it right
Avoids vagus and oesophagus

Question 7

What is the goal of plasma treatment of albumin and TP?

FPT

Answer 7

Albumin >20 g/l
TP >40 g/l

Question 8

What does this animal show?

Answer 8

Stress fold below the eye
Mouth breathing

Leave alone for 15 mins if possible

Question 9

What does abdominal distention in camelids suggest more then other ruminants?

Answer 9

Ascites, SI obstruction, pregnancy
Vs
Bloat

Question 10

What does colic suggest in camelids opposed to other ruminants?

Answer 10

Phytobezoar, enteritis, spiral colon torsion
Vs
Gaseous distension

Question 11

How can oral medication be given to camelids?

Answer 11

Small size foal tube
Lamb feeding tube for young

Question 12

Where can a microchip be placed in camelids?

Answer 12

Upper left neck- care with angle
30-45 degrees

Question 13

What vaccination can be given to camelids?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

1. What endoparasites can affect camelids?
2. What are the clinical signs?

Answer 14

1. Same as cattle and sheep- fluke, haemonchus
2. Soft faeces, ill thrift, anaemia, malasie and death

Question 15

What are the cut offs for the following endoparasites?
1. Trichostrongyle
2. Fluke, nematodirus
3. Haemonchus, lungworm

Answer 15

1. 300-400
2. 1
3. Any note worthy

Dung piles and poo pciking aid in pasture contamination

Question 16

What can be used to worm camelids?

Answer 16

Benzimidazoles- albendazole (never pregnant, never >10mg/kg)
Levamisol- only if able to weigh
MCLs- moxidectin for haemonchus
Montepantel- 3x sheep dose

Question 17

1. If there is a high forecast when should camelids be fluked?
2. What are the typical high forecast months?
3. What are the drugs used?

Answer 17

1. Dose 6 weeks later
2. Oct and Jan
3. Triclabendazole, closantel, albendazole, clorsulon

Question 18

What 4 coccidiosis can affect camelids?

Answer 18

Eimeira lamae
Eimeria Punoensis
Eimeria alpacae
Eimeria macusaniensis

Big Mac- very large, severe ilness with low counts

Question 19

When can coccidia be treated and controlled?

Answer 19

Treat
* Early born crias- weaning
* Late born crias- 2-3mo
* Adults after stress
* Incoming animals

Control:
Move troughs

Question 20

Which is chorioptic which is sarcoptic mange?

Answer 20

Left chorioptic
Right sarcoptic

Interdigital space best for skin scrapes

Question 21

How and with what can camelids be treated for mange?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What can be used for severe cases of mange?

Answer 22

• Shampoo- keratolytic
• Topical acaricide- fronline
• Skin conditioner
• ABs

Question 23

What does this image show

Answer 23

Munge, hyperkeratosis
Typically weaning age and adolescent- idiopathic

Question 24

What needs to be ruled out for lumps?

Answer 24

CLA- caseous lymphadenitis Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis | Especially if near lymph node Don't shear till last

Question 25

What can be used to treat gastric ulceration?

Answer 25

Ranitidine, pantoprazole needs to be given systemically Can be considered in any inappetant animal Cause unknown

Question 26

What are the three types of lesions cause in camelids by bovine tuberculosis?

Answer 26

Abscessation- lungs Ulcerative lesions- trachea Mamillary lesions- spleen/liver

Question 27

What serological tests can be used for Bovine TB?

Answer 27

Voluntary testing scheme Idexx StatPak Enferplex

Question 28

1. What are the main DDxs for anaemia of camelids? 2. What can be checked in field for compromise?

Answer 28

1. Cardiovascular compromise 2. Pulse defecit, heart murmur, cold extremities, CRT

Question 29

How can anaemia be correctly measures?

Answer 29

* Elliptical blood cells (calibrate machine) * PCV manually | If thrombocytes very high machine not calibrated

Question 30

What can commonly cause anaemia in camelids?

Answer 30

* Chronic disease * Haemonchiosis- fluke * Gastric ulceration * Haemolysis * Ivermectin toxicity * Mycoplasma haemollame

Question 31

How can a camelid be blood transfused?

Answer 31

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%

Question 32

1. How old do camelids need to be for castration? 2. What preparation needs to be done? 3. What should be given immediately pre-op?

Answer 32

1. >18 mo 2. Tetanus cover, withhold concentrated for 24 hours 3. ABs and NSAIDs

Question 33

What anaesthesia can be used for castrations?

Answer 33

Local infiltration * Max 6mg/kg * Along median raphe * ± intra-testicular Triple stun ± local Caudal epidural 1ml/45kg Bw

Question 34

How are camelids castrated?

Answer 34

* Recumbent- tie out, nose below larynx, blindfold * Duct tape for llama fur * Closed technique * Haemostasis- ligature, clamp, twist and pull

Question 35

What are the top 3 differentials for weight loss?

Answer 35

Parasites Tooth and Jaw Bullying

Question 36

What are common tooth and jaw issues? How are they treated?

Answer 36

Oversize incisors- trimming if poor BCS/quidding (care not to expose pulp cavity) Retained incisors- deciduous- white, permanent- dirty Maxillary/mandibular abscess- radiography/CRT

Question 37

What are the three methods of sedation of camelids?

Answer 37

Triple stun: IV * Xylazine * ketamine * butorphanol Abrahamson mix: IM * Ketamine * Xylazine * butorphanol Cria * Butorphamol * Diazepam

Question 38

What is induction and analgesia similar to?

Answer 38

Messi | (GOATs)

Question 39

What are common malpresentations of neonates in camelids?

Answer 39

* Foot/lower limb caught on pelvic rim * Twins C- Section * Carpal flexion * Head deviation, neck flexion * Breech

Question 40

What is important to note when delivering crias with camelid pelvis?

Answer 40

Small pelvis Gain 1-2 cm by rotating foetus 30-45 degrees

Question 41

Describe considerations of Ceaser in camelids?

Answer 41

* Local > GA * 45 degree- lateral recumbancy * Left flank * Incision- angled 15cm, thin layers * Care of spleen * Gentle tissue handling

Question 42

When should foetal membranes normally pass by? What is the protocol of retained?

Answer 42

Normally passed 1-3 hours Retained >6 hours * Gentle pull * Oxytocin * Systemic check- T

Question 43

What peri-parturitent complications can happen?

Answer 43

* Retained membranes * Uterine torsion * Vaginal prolapse * Uterine prolapse * Mastitis * Endometritis

Question 44

How should diarrhoea be treated in crias?

Answer 44

Fluids Oral: care with sodum IV if very watery diarrhoea Milk