CVM100OD26 - College of Veterinary Medicine: Approach to the Sick Alpaca – and Practical Field Therapeutics

Course Description

Veterinarians are often asked to see South American Camelids and yet may be unfamiliar with the species, their physiology and some of the unique clinical problems seen in camelids. As prey species, camelids are quite good at masking clinical signs of illness until they are really quite ill. Then, when they do look ill, they can look like they are dying due to profound neck weakness. As veterinarians, it may be tempting to think that they are past the boundaries of field therapeutics making a difference, but this is not necessarily the case. We will discuss the lifesaving use of intravenous fluid therapy in camelids, and the massive difference that this can make to treating sick camelids in the field. In this talk we will discuss the evaluation of camelids and further diagnostic tools available such as labwork and ultrasound. We will also discuss a number of clinical scenarios and how best to approach diagnosis and treatment of these.

Benefits to the Learner

• Become confident in the clinical approach to the “sick alpaca” and how that might differ from other domestic large animals
• Become familiar with the key differences in approach to diagnostics in camelid medicine
• Describe approaches to particular clinical scenarios such as recumbent, anaemic, and neurologic alpacas

Accrediting Associations

• The American Association of Veterinary State Boards RACE Approval Number 20-878940 1.0 Hours
• New York State Education Department 1.0 Hours