Camelid Medicine and Camelid Medicine and NursingNursing

ByBy

Dr. Bret MeckelDr. Bret Meckel

Old World CamelidsOld World Camelids

• Africa/Asia

• One hump or two?

• Dromedary vs. Bactrian

New World CamelidsNew World Camelids

• All from South America

• Llamas– Guarding herds– Packing– Fiber

• Alpaca– Huacaya (shorter fiber w/ crimp)– Suri (long, straight fiber, no crimp)

• Vicuna

• Guanaco– Both undomesticated

NutritionNutrition

• Extremely efficient digesters

• Digestion:– Three compartments (like ruminants)– But regurgitates and rechews more effectively

• Fecal– Pellets like deer– Communal dung pile users

Body ConditionBody Condition

• Page 38

Body LanguageBody Language

• Ear Posture

• Humming

• Spitting

http://personal.smartt.com/~brianp/allsounds.html

RestraintRestraint

• Attack– Bite/charge/rear kick

• Stand near shoulder• Halters

– Don’t like head contact

• Chutes/ Stanchions

• p. 24-31

BehaviorBehavior

• Docile– Except males

• Berserk Male Syndrome– Bottle fed– Attaches to humans instead– Neuter bottle fed males

FightingFighting

• Fighting teeth (p. 53)

• Removal (p.55)

EyesEyes

• Corpus Nigrum (p. 57)

Toe Nail TrimsToe Nail Trims

• Normal vs Overgrown

• Trimming Technique (p 80)

VenipunctureVenipuncture

• “High Neck”

• Jugular

VaccinationsVaccinations

• Rabies

• Clostridium– Enterotoxemia– Tetanus– Malignant Edema– Blackleg

Camelid Sex Life!Camelid Sex Life!

• Gestation – Llama = 340-345d– Alpaca = 335-360d

• Birth – Dystocia = rare– Primarily “Vet Friendly”

Medical TreatmentMedical Treatment

• NSAIDS– Phenylbutazone– Banamine

• Anesthesia– Ketamine– Xylazine– Diazepam

• Injection Map (p.130)