Meagan Cyrus
English 106
Professor Ken Crowell
11/4/10
Rising of Camelid Veterinary Care
Camelids are a steadily growing industry in the United States, llamas especially. They are
fairly inexpensive and have many different uses ranging from showing and breeding to guarding
smaller livestock such as sheep. The current problem with the increasing numbers lies within the
veterinary care of llamas and other camelids. Currently, there are very few veterinarians that
specialize in llamas, therefore they are being treated like large livestock, such as horses and
cattle. The problem owners and veterinarians are currently running into is in the medication.
Llamas and other camelids don’t have the same immune system as horses or cattle do, so the
medicine prescribed to them sometimes don’t work. By performing different tests, studies, and
comparing end results, veterinarians and animal science technologists can access more
knowledge concerning veterinary care in camelids.
The Camelidae family is divided into two different sub families, Camelina (Old World
Camels) and Lamini (New World Camels). The Old World camelids consist of two species, the
Bacterian camel and the dromedary camel, both of which are native to Africa and Asia.
Indigenous to South America, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas make up the Lamini
family. Primarily used as beasts of burden in South America, llamas are able to give meat, wool
for clothing, hide for shelter, and manure pellets for fuel back to their herdsmen. (Marilyn Nenni
Shagbark Ridge Llamas) According to Shagbark Ridge Llamas, there are an estimated 7 million
llamas and alpacas in South America and a little over 300,000 in the United States. In the United
States, llamas are mainly used for showing and breeding purposes, but some families use them
for wool and packing as well. With this brief background in mind, animal science technologists
continue to study the origin of camelids in order to further investigate the veterinary care that
comes along with owning a llama or alpaca.
Although the knowledge concerning diseases and health care in camelids has increased
significantly over the past decade, the practice itself is still a relatively new field of study, so it is
important to find seasoned professionals and laboratories that are involved in camelid health
treatment. For example, certain diseases may have one affect in horses, but may have a different
affect in llamas. According to Viral Diseases of New World Camelids, Foot and mouth disease
virus susceptible species includes cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, and deer, yet New World
camelids appear to be less susceptible (25: 323-337.) Other diseases that have a high effect on
other livestock include West Nile, Vesicular stomatitis virus, and Equine herpes virus. On the
other side, Rotavirus enteritis is a disease that is quite common in South American camelids,
affecting 77-98% (Viral Diseases of New World Camelids 25: 323-337.) The amount of viral
infections that can lead to disease in camelids is becoming better known as the veterinary
community assesses the scientific literature, which has increased significantly over the past 10
years as more research is conducted. The knowledge base regarding viral infections of camelids
and their economic impact has been increased primarily due to the contribution of information on
the part of owners, the llama registration associations (ex. ALSA, ILR), and diagnostic
laboratories that are involved in camelid health treatment.
A test done by Christopher K. Cebra VMD, MA, MS provided evidence that camelids
develop unique infections related to energy metabolism. Although some disorders are similar to
those seen in other species, camelid’s have unusual characteristics which include poor glucose
tolerance, partial insulin resistance, and low concentrations of circulating insulin. Therefore,
camelids are more prone to abnormalities related to insulin release or activity (Christopher
Cebra) Dr. Cebra concluded that signs of the disorders of energy metabolism are vague, but the
most common are lethargy, decreased activity, and increased time spent recumbent. He also
stated that because camelids have a limited natural capacity to increase tissue glucose uptake,
hyperglycemia is more persistent in camelids than in many other domestic species.(Christopher
Cebra) Known treatments must concentrate on the hormonal aspects, not just provision of
energy. Those related to hormonal features include those to decrease catecholamine release and
to provide exogenous insulin until the animal is able to maintain normal energy substrate
homeostasis. (Christopher Cebra)
Another procedure performed by three veterinarians, Tania A. Kozikowski, Gary
Magdesian, and Birgit Puschner, was designed to characterize the clinicopathologic effects and
to evaluate outcomes associated with oleander toxicosis in New World camelids. 11 llamas and
one alpaca were used in the case and all were tested to make sure they met the inclusion criteria
of this study. Records of the New World camelids that had detectable amounts of oleandrin
toxins in samples of serum, urine, or gastrointestinal fluid were noted in the study as well. The
oleander plants were presented to the residence where the camelids resided or the plant was
identified in the hay fed to the animals. One llama was dead on arrival at the hospital, and
another was euthanized upon admission because of financial concerns. Of the 10 treated
camelids, 9 had evidence of acute renal failure, 7 had gastrointestinal signs, and 4 had cardiac
dysrhythmias (235: 305-310.) In conclusion, the veterinarians came to an understand that the
Oleander shrub has an extremely toxic effect in not only horses, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats,
birds, and humans but in camelids as well. A study done on horses and cattle showed clinical
signs leading to death within two to eight hours of consumption when the animals were fed as
few as 10 medium-sized oleander leaves.
The most common diseases veterinarians diagnose in llamas and alpacas are caused by
parasites. External parasites include lice, ticks, fleas, and flies while internal parasites include
tapeworm, meningeal worm, coccidia, barbor pole worms, and other worms. Internal parasites
are steadily becoming one of the top killers in llamas and alpacas in the United States. Because
animal science researchers have not come up with stronger de-wormers and vaccinations for
llamas, the internal parasites are becoming more immune to the current de-wormers owners are
using. Common de-wormers include Quest, Dectomax, Safeguard, and Ivermectin. These dewormers, though effective for younger parasites, are starting to become less effective for adult
worms which worries most veterinarians. Coccidiosis, a dangerous parasite found in young
llamas, is spread through the feces of an animal which has the disease or is a carrier, but may
show no signs of illness itself. The primary sign is diarrhea. Sever cases show blood in the
diarrhea, depression, and weight loss. This most commonly occurs when animals are crowded
into small pens or where unsanitary conditions exist. Treatment may be Corid added to the
drinking water and all other water sources eliminated.
Another dangerous disease that affects llamas is a cataract in the eye. Juliet R. Gionfriddo
DVM, MS conducted a study over cataracts in llamas. Cataracts are defined as any opacities of
the eye lens. They can be congenital, juvenile, adult, or senile in onset and can involve one or
multiple portions of the lens (nucleus, cortex, capsule). Whether cataracts lead to complete
blindness depends on the extent of involvement of the lens in the disease process and the
maturity of the cataract (5: 357-369 Cataracts in New World camelids.) Removal of cataracts in
camelids is complicated and generally results in subsequent vision loss. Cataracts generally
cause a cloudy film to cover the eye, also known as “moon eye.” Moon eye is common in older
animals, and if blindness or pain is known, the result is euthanasia.
Because camelids are a fast growing population in the United States, it is imperative that
veterinarians and animal science technologists research more information on health care
management in these animals. Although the current veterinary care is acceptable, technologists
are unsure of how much longer the horse/cattle treatments will work on camelids. Camelids are
unique animals with different immune systems and diseases that affect them. Therefore, research
must be conducted in order to understand more about camelids as their popularity increases.
Researchers and vets conduct many studies, assist in different cases, and compare results in order
to help the veterinary medicine in camelids grow.
Work Cited
Kapil, Sanjay, Teresa Yeary, and James F Evermann. "Viral diseases of new world
camelids." The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice 25.2
(2009): 323-337. MEDLINE. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.
Cebra, Christopher K. "Disorders of carbohydrate or lipid metabolism in camelids." The
Veterinary Clinics Of North America. Food Animal Practice 25.2 (2009): 339-352.
MEDLINE. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.
Del Campo, M R, et al. "Morphology and location of attached follicular cumulus-oocyte
complexes in horses, cattle and llamas." Theriogenology 43.3 (1995): 533-542.
MEDLINE. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.
Kozikowski, Tania A., K. Gary Magdesian, Birgit Puschner. Oleander intoxication in
New World camelids: 12 cases (1995–2006). Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association.
Fowler, Murray E. Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids: Llama, Alpaca,
Vicuña, Guanaco. Ames: Iowa State UP, 1989. Print.
Krüger, Carina, Anna Hultberg, Harold Marcotte, Pim Hermans, Sandra Bezemer, Leon
G. J. Frenken, & Lennart Hammarström. (2006). Therapeutic effect of llama
derived VHH fragments against Streptococcus mutans on the development of
dental caries. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 72(4), 732-7. Retrieved
October 19, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global.
Cebra, Christopher K., Beth A. Valentine, John W. Schlipf Jr, Robert J. Bildfell, Erica
McKenzie, Laura H. Waitt, Jerry R. Heidel, Barry J. Cooper. Eimeria
macusaniensis infection in 15 llamas and 34 alpacas. January 1st, 2007. Pages 94100. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Windsor, R S, R H Windsor, and M Teran. "Economic benefits of controlling internal
and external parasites in South American camelids." Annals Of The New York
Academy Of Sciences 653.(1992): 398-405. MEDLINE. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct.
2010.
Gionfriddo, Juliet R. "Cataracts in New World camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and
guanacos)." The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Exotic Animal Practice 5.2
(2002): 357-369. MEDLINE. EBSCO. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.
Nenni, Marilyn. "Veterinary Medical Information for Llamas & Alpacas - Health, Care,
& Management." Shagbark Ridge Llamas. Web. 19 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.shagbarkridge.com/info/vinfo.html#a>.