Veterinary Techniques in Llamas and Alpacas

Description: Veterinary Techniques in Llamas and Alpacas

Practical resource for how-to information on performing hands-on procedures in llamas and alpacas, with step-by-step descriptions, photographs, and practice tips.

Thoroughly revised to reflect new techniques, knowledge, and research, the Second Edition of Veterinary Techniques in Llamas and Alpacas provides practical step-by-step descriptions of techniques ranging from routine to not-so-common, helping veterinarians to confidently handle and perform common medical and surgical procedures in llamas and alpacas. To aid in practical application, hundreds of high-quality color photographs demonstrate the steps for each technique, making it a useful patient-side resource. Organized by body system, the book encompasses techniques associated with the physical exam, anesthesia, ultrasound, surgery, and more.

Veterinary Techniques in Llamas and Alpacas presents a wide range of techniques, including:

• Physical restraint and injection sites, including manual restraint (standing, sternal recumbency (“cushed”), and lateral recumbency), chute restraint, and ear squeeze
• Catheterization, including jugular, cephalic, saphenous, lateral thoracic, auricular vein, auricular artery, femoral artery, intraosseous, intraperitoneal, and caudal epidural
• The abdomen, including ultrasonography, abdominocentesis, liver biopsy, first forestomach compartment paracentesis, and intubation of the forestomach
• The female genital system, with information on anatomical considerations, pregnancy diagnosis, vaginoscopy, teat and udder examination, mastectomy, c-section, and uterine torsion

The Second Edition of Veterinary Techniques in Llamas and Alpacas is an essential resource for veterinary practitioners with a camelid caseload, with accessible information and detailed picture-based tutorials on how to perform key procedures.

Preface

Traditional farm animal species are routinely included in veterinary curricula, have immense volumes of published information, and most large animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians possess experience and a general understanding of procedures to be performed on these species. This wealth of resources greatly outweighs that available regarding South American camelids for most veterinarians. South American camelids are increasingly ingrained in modern veterinary culture, but this experience is relatively new—measured in decades versus centuries for that of traditional species. Early on, medical and surgical care was directed toward specialty clinics and veterinarians with special interest. This was largely due to the extreme monetary value of animals and veterinarians’ apprehension to treat animals in which they have little to no experience. Also, many practitioners have limited direct practice experience with llamas and alpacas. Many methods for common procedures as well as specialized investigative procedures have been developed through trial and error. The general acceptance of South American camelids as a common component of mixed animal veterinary practice has led to veterinarians finding themselves performing examinations, diagnostic testing, and medical and surgical procedures on llamas and alpacas. Comfort working with the species has grown as graduating veterinarians receive more formal training and experience during their education.

We receive and address many calls from the field and from other academic institutions on how to perform varying procedures. Our goal with this text is to synthesize our combined experience with procedures from routine maintenance to advanced procedures into a single, organized, concise, visually descriptive volume for veterinary reference. This manual is intended to serve as a reference and patient-side guide for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to facilitate performance of these procedures. We gratefully acknowledge the input of our fellow veterinary practitioners who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge about these species and to increasing the standard of care provided to llamas and alpacas.