8/21 - Intro to Camelids

Llama

What animal is this? It can live up to 20 years, can be up to 1.8 meters tall, and can weigh up to 200 kg. It is the largest camelid and is pregnant for around 11 months.

Vicuna

What animal is this? It is a wild SA camelid, can be up to 60 kg in weight, and has withers around 3 feet, and it contributed to alpaca parentage. It has the finest hair of any camelid.

Guanaco

What animal is this? It is larger than a vicuna and smaller than a llama, and is around 90 kg. It is wild in SA and is multi-colored.

Alpaca

What animal is this? It is pregnant for 11-12 months. They can come in 16 different colors.

Suri

Which breed of alpaca is this?

Huacaya

Which breed of alpaca is this?

Fiber

Rather than wool or fleece, what is a camelid’s coat called? It is measured in microns, and should not be brushed. They should not be bedded on shavings.

Micron

What is a camelid’s fur measured in? This refers to the average diameter of 66% of a sample, with 2000 measured fibers. In adult alpacas it should be less than 25. Crimp refers to an organization or uniform waviness in an individual lock of fiber.

Chukkering

What technique refers to a management technique when dealing with alpacas, in which the animal is restrained in a sternal position, with a rope snugly tied over the back and securing each hind fetlock?

Yes

Are camelids obligate nasal breathers?

BMLS

What behavioral condition in llamas (abbreviated) is an exception to the normally docile behavior of camelids in which a hand-raised male cria becomes aggressive? Because of this, they should be castrated by the age of 2 months or at least before weaning, although this leads to urolithiasis risk and growth plate abnormalities.

4

C1 contractions in camelids occur about how many times each minute?

C1, C2

Which two sections of the llama stomach are anaerobic fermentation chambers, with microbial flora and fauna? They re-utilize urea and digest bacterial protein.

Feces

Observation of consistency and output of what is the best indicator of GIT disorders in camelids?

5-7

About how many camelids can safely be placed per acre of forage, as they naturally graze poor quality grass and herbage?

A, D, E

Pelleted diets for camelids must contain which three vitamins in order to be complete?

D

Camelids, particularly young alpacas, are susceptible to deficiency in which vitamin? It is worse in low winter sunlight areas and in dark fibered animals. It presents as ill thrift, lameness, depression, hypophosphatemia, and marked anemia. Recovery is uncommon. It is also called rickets.

1-5

BCS in camelids is measured on what scale?

2.5-3.5

Alpacas, other than growing or pregnant ones, should be in what BCS range?

6

Foot trimming in camelids may be required every how many months?

1

How many upper incisors, canines both upper and lower, and lower premolars do camelids have on each side? There will be three lower incisors and two upper premolars.

3

How many molars do camelids have upper and lower on each side?

Camelids

What group of species has the normal parameters: HR of 60-90, C1 turnover of 3-4/min, and respiratory rate of 10-30?

Right

On which side of the neck is jugular venipuncture done in camelids? It can be done near the thoracic inlet or near the ramus of the mandible and the carotid should be avoided.

Low

For which neck sample method in a camelid is the skin thinner, restraint easier, heavy fleece more difficult, and there is a greater chance of cannulation? You aim the needle medial towards the center of the neck and palpate the projection of the 6th cervical vertebra, wrapping fingers to occlude the vessel.

High

For which neck sample method in a camelid is the jugular more superficial and separate from the carotid, but the skin is thicker? It is hard to visualize, ballottement is needed, and a line is drawn along the ventral mandible with the head slightly flexed, then the vein is occluded.

6

When testing blood in camelids, you should always spin how many minutes? Normal USG is 1.010 to 1.048. Total protein is 51-78 g/l.

20

PCV in camelids should always be at or above what percentage? There are small, ellipsoidal RBCs and if it is lower than this it should be submitted for a smear.

Modified Stolls

What type of FEC is recommended for camelids as it is more sensitive than other types?

90

For camelids, what percentage of worms will be found in 10% of the animals in a herd, different from the 80-20 rule in other species?

Ivermectin

What drug (injectable) given weekly is the best treatment for ectoparasites in camelids, though fipronil spray and topical eprinomectin can also be used?

Yes

Should alpacas be vaccinated against the 6 main clostridial species? EHV-1, WNV, Rabies, Lepto, and EEV are also recommended.

Induced

Are camelids induced or spontaneous ovulators?

Kush

What is the term for what a female camelid does when waiting for the male to mount? To avoid trauma to the penis, you should tie the female when she is doing this.

Spitting Off

What is the term for the test done in pregnant camelids to determine if a CL is present at day 16 and day 32? If it is present, then she will spit at an approaching male, but if it is not present she will be receptive to breeding.

60

In camelids, an ultrasound of the abdomen can detect pregnancy from how many days out?

11

For most camelids, gestation is roughly how many months?

No

Does udder development in camelids correlate to parturition date?

Yes

Is this a normal parturition for camelids?

IgG

A test of what Ig is done to help determine whether PFT has occurred in camelids? The presence or lack of meconium is also used to help determine this. If there is no colostrum, then this is an emergency.

Goat

If a camelid has colostrum but there is FPT, you can supplement with the milk of which small ruminant?

Oxytocin

Massage of udder and administration of what drug can be given to help aid milk let down in camelids?

No

Should an adult camelid with a heart murmur be bred?