AVS 471 South American Camelids

1. 1 AVS 471South American Camelids

2. 2 General Taxonomy Class - MAMMALIA Order - ARTIODACTYIA (even-toed ungulates) Suborder - SUIFORMES (hippos, swine, peccaries) Suborder - TYLOPODA (camelids) Old World genus and species Camelus dromedarius C. bactrianus New World genus and species Lama glama (Llama) L. pacos (Alpaca) L. guanicoe (Guanaco) Vicugna vicugna (Vicuna) V. vicugna mensalis (Peruvian) V. vicugna vicugna (Argentine) Suborder - RUMINATIA (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, giraffe, water buffalo, antelope, bison)

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5. 5 Introduction Lama genera = South American Camelids (SAC) Vicuna placed in separate genera because they have open-rooted incisors. All four species of SAC are indigenous to the South American high plains and Andes mountains All except Gaunaco have been domesticated and used for food, fiber, and beast of burden Recipes

6. 6 Nomenclature Adults Intact male - �Males� Intact females - �Females� Birth to weaning (4-6 months) - �Cria� Weanling to adult - Juvenile Castrated male - �Gelding� Group - Herd or Flock Old World camelids = bulls, cows, calves

7. 7 Vital Parameters

8. 8 Llamas versus Ruminants Evolution Evolutionary paths diverged 40 million years ago Blood Llamas - small elliptical erythrocytes (RBCs) Ruminants - larger round RBCs Predominant leukocyte (WBC) Llama - Neutrophil Ruminant - Lymphocyte Foot Llama - toenail and soft pad (P3 and P2 horizontal) Ruminant - horn

9. 9 Llamas versus Ruminants Digestive System Both anterior fermenters Differ greatly in evolutionary development of the fermenting compartments with regard to anatomy, motility, and dentition Llama - 3 compartments (C1, C2, C3) Ruminants - 4 compartments (Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, Abomasum)

10. 10 Llamas versus Ruminants

11. 11 Llamas versus Ruminants Respiratory System Llamas have a long soft palate ? difficulty breathing through their mouths; Not so for ruminants Urinary System Kidney is smooth and elliptical similar to sheep, not lobed like cattle.

12. 12 Llamas versus Ruminants Parasites Certain parasites are unique to llamas Lice, coccidia Share GI Nematodes with ruminants Susceptible to nasal bots from sheep and deer Infectious Diseases Hardy, infectious diseases appear to be less common than in other ruminants Some cross-species infectious conditions, e.g., Brucellosis, Bluetongue, EHV-1, Contagious ecthyma, and BVD

13. 13 Nutritional Requirements Not as well described as for other species Similar to sheep Very adaptable to many diets Consume 1.8-2.0% of BW as DMI 300 lb. Animal = 6.6 lb., 90% DM feed Must feed to meet requirements of production within these guidelines (e.g., pregnancy, lactation, growth, or maintenance) 1.5-2.5 x greater requirements during late pregnancy, lactation, and/or heavy work CP (8-16%) depending on level of production; Alpacas have higher protein requirements due to fleece production

14. 14 Nutritional Requirements Average local grass hay feed analysis CP ? 7-8% Acceptable for maintenance, but not for production Hence, we must supplement with additional protein and energy Llama/grain pellets Alfalfa hay Llamas and Alpacas fed solely alfalfa hay tend to readily become overconditioned

15. 15 Hydration Water Consumption 1 gallon per 100 lb. BW per day Clean, fresh water essential Finicky drinkers

16. 16 Vaccination Programs Based on many factors Herd (closed vs. open) Historical or current disease Endemic diseases Other species on farm No licensed products available for vaccination of Llamas or Alpacas in USA

17. 17 Vaccination Programs Basic program Clostridial disease vaccine CD/T 7-way + Tetanus (Covexin 8) Other possible vaccines (based on disease prevalence in herd/area) EHV-1 Leptospirosis BVDV IBR E. coli Not wise to use MLV vaccines designed for another species

18. 18 Reproduction Puberty Males - 12-15, but up to 36 months Females - 12-13 months Gestation = 11 months Abortion Diseases EHV-1 Causes respiratory, neurologic, and abortion in horses Transmission - initially acquired from horses Camelids fully susceptible Abortion usually mid-gestation Vaccine sometimes used

19. 19 Reproduction Abortion Diseases Leptospirosis As susceptible as ruminants Organism may be found in environment Transmission - contamination of feed and water sources with organism Abortion usually mid-gestation Cattle vaccines can be used in camelids Brucellosis Pine needle abortion

20. 20 Newborn to Weaning Dystocia Rare Causes - same as other ruminants Fetal Maternal Mechanical Passive Transfer FPT ? increased risk of neonatal disease Most common with primiparous dams (low production and poor mothering ability Most common = gram (-)ve sepsis Sepsis ? sudden death, joint ill, meningitis, anterior uveitis

21. 21 Newborn to Weaning Passive Transfer Measurement of IgG level first week of life Supplement with goat colostrum in first 24 hours if inadequate supply from dam Treatment: Plasma IV or IP Congenital/Genetic Diseases Many defects, often fatal Cardiac anomalies, cleft palate, limb deformities, etc..

22. 22 Newborn to Weaning Starvation Common cause of debility and death in crias Weigh daily (1/2-1 lb. gain per day) Mothers may have inadequate milk or cria may not be suckling

23. 23 Newborn to Weaning Vitamin D deficiency (�Winter Baby Syndrome�) Common condition in PNW in crias born in winter months Decreased sunlight ? Decreased Vitamin D stores Young rapidly growing animals at greatest risk Metabolic bone disease (hypophosphatemic rickets) Breed for birth in Spring or Summer Vitamin D supplementation in late Fall & Winter crias

24. 24 Newborn to Weaning Vitamin E/Se Deficiency White muscle disease Breakdown of skeletal and cardiac muscle Deficiency = common cause of ill-thrift and increased risk of infection Diarrhea Susceptible to many of the agents discussed in ruminants E.coli, Salmonella sp., Rota- and Corona Virus, Parvovirus, Coccidia, Giardia

25. 25 Newborn to Weaning Diarrhea Physiologic effects Dehydration, electrolyte changes, acidosis, energy deficiencies Treatment Correction of dehydration, acidosis, electrolyte changes Energy supplementation Prevention Good management & sanitation No approved anti-diarrheal vaccines Calf E. coli vaccines may be of some benefit

26. 26 Clostridial Diseases Tetanus Clostridium tetani Organism in environment All ages susceptible Exposure through contaminated wound, e.g., castration site Symptoms due to neurotoxins produced by organism Treatment difficult; Disease often fatal Vaccine Colostrum

27. 27 Enterotoxemia Highly fatal disease Organism proliferates in intestine of susceptible animal All ages susceptible; Younger animals > Older Affected individuals usually in good nutritional condition and have access to concentrate diets or lush pasture. Clinical disease ? Death usually occurs Specific antitoxins available; rarely reverse disease Vaccine

28. 28 Parasitic Diseases All ages susceptible Young animals frequently most severely affected Parasites include: Stomach and intestinal worms Liver flukes Nasal bots Meningeal worm Prevention Routine worming with standard anthelminthics

29. 29 Trichuris ovis

30. 30 Cryptosporidium parvum

31. 31 Weanlings Nutrition Adequate energy and protein nutrition necessary for proper development Excessive nutrition ? Metabolic disease, e.g., bone disorders Castration Usually performed in first year of life Delays growth plate (physeal) closure in long bones ? Taller animal when castrated prior to maturity

32. 32 Adults Nutrition Maintenance Pregnancy Lactation Body Condition Scoring Not limited to adults BCS allows assessment of nutritional status of an animal Increasing, decreasing, or maintaining nutritional status can be easily assessed through BCS

33. 33 Diseases Digestive Often mutlifactorial, rarely caused by infectious agents alone Colic Abdominal pain Source: Digestive tract, uterus, urinary tract, other abdominal organs Intestinal impactions, ulcers, uterine torsion, and intestinal accidents are the most common causes of abdominal pain. Treatment: Medical/Surgical

34. 34 Diseases Digestive Diarrhea Infectious diarrheas rare Salmonella Parasitic causes of diarrhea Intestinal worms Liver flukes Whipworms Ulcers �Stressed� animals Colic Suspect in any �stressed� camelid (concurrent disease, fractures, etc.)

35. 35 Diseases Respiratory Viral/Bacterial More common in maturing animals Possible infections include Streptococcus equisimilis (most likely equine in origin) Respiratory disease and peritonitis common EHV-1 Equine in origin Reproductive, respiratory and neurologic disease possible May manifest as optic nerve degeneration ? Blindness (unilateral or bilateral) IBR (?-herpesvirus)

36. 36 Diseases Llama Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS) Genetic disease leading to defective immune system Appears to be a B-cell dysfunction Weanlings to young adults most often affected (Juveniles) Low Ig levels lead to increased risk of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory and neurologic disease Always eventually fatal

37. 37 Diseases Skin Parasites Lice Sucking and biting Mange Sarcoptic mite Bacterial skin infections Dermatophilus congolensis (Rain scald) Crusty skin lesions on dorsum (back) G+ organism; Gram stain lesion ? Box car-like chains of G+ organisms Fungal skin infections Ringworm

38. 38 Diseases Skin Nutritional Deficiencies Zinc Thickened skin on legs Most likely due to malabsorption of Zn Only occurs in individuals within a herd Nervous System Ear Infections Respiratory diseases (viruses/bacteria) ? Damage ciliary clearance allowing ascension of organisms to middle ear ? Vestibular symptoms ? Infection may penetrate to brainstem.

39. 39 Diseases Nervous System Meningeal worms East of the Mississippi River Carried by white tail deer Snail intermediate host (source of infection) Some respond to treatment with Ivomec� Miscellaneous Conditions Spinal abscesses Brain abscesses Rabies Listeriosis

40. 40 Diseases Musculoskeletal Clostridial myonecrosis Fully susceptible to Clostridial agents that cause muscle diseases in ruminants C. chauvoei = Blackleg C. septicum, C. sordelli = Malignant Edema Others Rapidly fatal Wound or bruise ? Anaerobic tissue ? Proliferation of Clostridial spores ? Disease characterized by swelling, pain, lameness, necrosis, edema and tissue emphysema ? Debility and death Vaccine is preventative in most cases

41. 41 Diseases Musculoskeletal Traumatic Injuries Fractures Ruptured muscles Angular limb deformities Congenital Prematurity Vitamin D deficiency Nutrition Often require surgical correction

42. 42 References Parish SM. VMS 261 Lecture Notes Fowler ME. 1998. Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids. 2nd Edition