Welcome to the February 2006 ILRe-port!
Read about important advertising info in the Registrar's letter. Reach new llama owners with sponsorship of an 8 1/2" x 11" quality "I Want A Llama" booklet about llamas - it's time to reprint. You could be their "go to" farm or ranch!
Important announcements from the ILR
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REMINDER: Membership Renewal Necessary to do Searches |
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A NEW I Want A Llama publication will be coming out this spring. You have an opportunity to reach new llama owners by being included in the advertising section for a mere $50. Check out the Registrar's article for more info. |
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MORE HIKING and PACKING photos have been posted on the I Want A Llama website (http://www.iwantallama.com) CHECK IT OUT!! |
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Events Calendar |
Dear Llama Owners,
January is gone already! WOW!
Thanks to all who have been sending in their membership renewals.
Don’t forget to use your $20 advertising coupon. You can use the coupon on any of the advertising opportunities available through the ILR – ILR-eport (both banner ads and classifieds), web advertising and in the upcoming I Want A Llama.
I wanted to remind you of the ongoing I Want a Llama (IWAL) program we have been running the last few years. If you haven’t seen the booklet, it is an 8 ½ by 11 inch full color booklet that includes basic information about llamas. The IWAL also includes a section listing the breeders that sponsored the publication. The breeders are listed by state so people looking for information on llamas can find someone nearby.
We distribute the IWAL publication to people who are just becoming interested in llamas and are looking for more information about them. So far, we have been distributing the IWAL brochure at llama sales and shows across the country – including the FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky this past October. The FFA convention contact proved to be very worthwhile as we have been receiving a wave of requests for the IWAL through the web site this past couple months and have been sending them out regularly. We are always open to new ways of distributing this publication to untouched markets so if you have some good ideas on how to reach more folks who need to know about llamas, let us know.
We are down to the last couple hundred copies of our IWAL brochure and will be reprinting it soon. The cost to get involved is $50 per listing. We have been printing 5,000 copies each press run and we anticipate doing approximately that number again. However, if we get really good participation from llama breeders wanting to be included, we could increase that number and get a better price on the printing.
We anticipate going to press in a couple of months so you will need to reserve your space as soon as possible. If you need more information, please call the office and one of the staff will answer your questions and sign you up.
Spring is coming!
Jan L. Wassink
ILR Registrar
Another Health Indicator in Your Llamas and Alpacas
by Hilary Ware with Dr. Barbara Perkins
For most of us caring for camelids, regular evaluation of their physical well-being is routine. We monitor their hay and supplement intake (either grains or other additional nutrients besides forage), provide fresh clean water every day at all times and make sure they are protected form excessive heat or cold. We observe that they aren’t fighting and hurting each other. We provide a place to exercise, roll, graze and play as herds love to do. We know to watch toenail growth, shear excess fiber early in the spring, weigh animals if scales are available, and follow our veterinarian’s recommended parasite and disease control program.
Most of us also make a practice of regular hands-on examinations of our animals (even though some of them resist that touch. They get used to it, with training and time). How else can we know the condition of flesh near the backbone under that fleece when we check body condition? Is that fit muscle between the back legs or flab? . . .
I have recently learned from my veterinarian that a simple “color check” when doing your hands-on evaluation can give a more complete picture of your animals’ wellness. By color check, she means checking the color of the visible mucous membrane tissues that line the mouth, inner eye, and in the females’ vagina. This tissue is full of small, superficial blood vessels which makes it an easily accessible indicator for circulatory, and particularly red blood cells, health. Knowing what normal looks like, then making regular checks will show changes that could indicate a problem. ( See Dr. Susan Tornquist’s article on Red Blood Cells in Llamas reprinted in this issue for a discussion of what could be wrong.)
How does one check mucous membrane color? Sometimes lamas yawn and one can sneak a peak, but gum and mouth membrane color is so variable, from pink to black depending on the animal’s coloration, that it can be unreliable. Plus, have you noticed there re very few lamas willing to let their owner open their mouth to take a look?
A better location, and not difficult with practice, is the conjunctive of the eye. With the lama haltered, gently place a hand on the far (opposite) cheek to steady the lama’s head. Use your thumb to gently draw down the left eye’s lower lid far enough to expose the inner surface. Note the color. It should be a vibrant pink – not hot pink – just healthy. Check out your own eye to see good color (unless you happen to be anemic?). Do baseline checks on all animals and note it. Then check monthly or so, when you do your other physical evaluations. That way, be referring back to your record, any changes will be obvious.
If you have a helper, there is an alternate checkpoint on females. Gently pull open the vulva to see the color of the lining of the vagina. Probably unbred females mind this less that pregnant one. No alternate suggestions for males – sorry. They are more than private about their parts!
Very light pink or white mucous membrane color indicates problem that need attention from your vet. This is not a situation you can solve yourself! We know lamas are very stoic. Even a severely anemic animal can seem to be functioning normally and then crash without warning. Routine color check is one easy and effective way to heed the warning and avoid that outcome. With a little practice, you will become comfortable assessing mucous membrane color and it will become an important component of your herd wellness monitoring. You will be well on the way to being the best lama steward you can be. Good luck and go for it!
Reprinted from Llama Living the Michigan Lama Association NL, Vol. 10, Issue 2
An E-mail Update from David Anderson
To: CamelidMed Electronic News
Subject: Rumors about me and OSU
I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous relationships we have had these past 10 years. I am extraordinarily proud of what we have here, what we have accomplished, and the working group we have assembled. I could never have imagined that we would build the largest hopsital based camelid program in the world and be part of such an exciting international community. I have loved being at OSU and am deeply proud of the "Buckeyes". I have no regrets, no remorse, and only warmth in my heart for OSU and the Camelid industries.
We all know that there are many things in our daily lives we would like to change. I have great vision for what this program could be in the future. I am deeply stressed at the idea of walking away from it. In the end, my family comes first and ego must take a back seat. I will be moving to Kansas State University in the Spring. KSU is a fine institution with a long and proud history. KSU has a new exciting focus in Agriculture that offers me the opportunity to be more focused in my work, have more time with my family, raise my kids in a rural farm life, and lower my stress level all at the same time. Wonderfful!
At this time, for the best interests of myself, my family, and our happiness I will plan to leave OSU in the Spring. The camelid health program here has never been stronger with over 1000 cases admitted per year and 9 veterinarians providing consults and care! The camelid research program has never been stronger - we finished 6 projects this year and 3 are still "cooking". The International Camelid Institute has never been stronger with the endowment passing $519,000 this year! An awesome landmark!! Thank you again for all of the support, encouragement, friendship and fun. I will always think kindly and fondly of our days in Columbus , at THE OSU, and the tremendous mountain we have climbed together.
David E Anderson, DVM , MS , DACVS
Update of BVDV (Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus) in Camelids
by Karen Baum, DVM
The following information relates to BVDV (Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus) in camelids. There is documentation of infection of alpacas resulting in reproductive loss and illness. It behooves any camelid owner or caretaker to be familiar with this emerging disease. The cattle industry has been battling BVDV for decades. Perhaps with unity and dedication we can curtail the disease in our industry.
In regards to questions about BVDV testing for AOBA shows: demonstration of a negative BVDV viral state can be done with either the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or the virus isolation/identification (VI) test on whole blood. A negative result to either test will be accepted at AOBA show check in. Your local state animal diagnostic laboratory may prefer one test over another. The blood is submitted through the owner’s local veterinarian in a purple top non-clotting (EDTA) tube with the animal's ARI number, owner name and animal name on the label. Have your veterinarian check with the diagnostic laboratory for the proper amount of blood needed for testing and any specific procedures that the testing laboratory may require. The sample should be sent overnight delivery.
Abstract: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) has recently been recognized as a source of disease in alpacas. As of this writing ( Feb 1, 2006), there are at least 40 persistently infected (PI) alpacas currently identified in North America . One PI alpaca is nearly three years old and appears completely healthy. PI animals propagate further infection. To control the emerging problem, PI animals must first be identified and then permanently removed from the herd. BVDV can be rapidly spread by PIs. The disease could be brought back to the farm by an infected alpaca. If that animal is pregnant there is a possibility she could then deliver another new PI cria thereby propagating the disease. Testing and eliminating all alpacas for active BVDV before show entry will make a tested show safer for all participants. Testing will therefore significantly decrease both the incidence and spread of BVDV. The combination of show testing, on-farm biosecurity measures, on-farm herd testing and careful attention taking animals from one farm to another should reduce the incidence of BVDV in the North American alpaca herd.
BVDV – Overview, Testing and Recommendations
Overview : Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is currently a rare alpaca disease. There is clear evidence indicating that the disease has been present in the North American alpaca herd since at least 2001 and likely originated from BVDV infected cows. Recent testing of a small fraction of the national herd has revealed at least 40 persistently infected (PI) alpacas. Ongoing research and testing is being funded by the Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) to determine the prevalence of BVDV in our national herd. This virus has potential to spread within the alpaca industry under specific circumstances. The Alpaca Research Foundation, together with the Alpaca Owner Breeders Association (AOBA), is providing this information to alpaca breeders so that informed decisions can be made in consultation with their veterinarian. These include recommendations on education, testing, bio-security and management. We feel certain these are the keys to prevent and then to control this disease in our alpaca industry.Clinical Information: Healthy alpacas can get the virus from infected alpacas and cows. This virus is fought off by that alpaca’s immune system, is acute (short lived), and results in an increase in the ability of that alpaca’s antibodies to neutralize the virus. Potential symptoms in an alpaca infected with BVDV include, but are not limited to, a mild fever, decreased appetite and rarely diarrhea, but animals may show no symptoms.
The BVDV infection in a pregnant alpaca can be a completely different matter. The infected pregnant dam acts just as described above – virtually no symptoms and no consequences to her. However, the consequences of infection on the developing fetus can be serious. These range from no effect to abortion to birth of a persistently infected (PI) cria. This PI state results because the fetal immune system accepts the virus as its own. The fetus is unable to fight the virus and never develops antibodies to that strain of virus for its entire life. However, some PI crias grow to adulthood with no signs of any clinical disease. Note that a PI animal does not get the infection outside the womb. The only way to become a PI alpaca is viral exposure in utero (before birth). Understand that not every “poor doer”, small or aborted fetus has BVDV infection or is a PI. The reason PI animals are such a problem is that they shed huge quantities of infectious virus through respiration and all body fluids into the environment every day with some of them looking and acting perfectly normal. The reason for these drastic measures is that the unrecognized PI alpaca can spread this disease in the North American alpaca herd. Since there is no treatment for BVDV infection, the PI animal must be identified and then euthanized or completely quarantined.
To protect our alpaca population from PI animals, we recommend the following testing protocols. These will also be posted on the ARF and AOBA websites.
Testing Protocols
Introduction: The following testing protocols are recommended to identify Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection in alpacas. BVDV is a newly recognized disease in alpacas that can cause abortions and viral persistent infections (PI). It has the potential to spread from farm to farm via poor bio-security, commingling of animals at sales or shows and through transport of PI animals for breeding, sales or other reasons. Therefore, education, bio-security and early detection are critically important.
These alpaca BVDV testing recommendations are based on comparative medicine, are derived from those currently used for cattle, but with regard to alpacas are currently incomplete. The ELISA using serum or skin biopsies for use in alpacas appear to be unreliable at this time. Research is ongoing. Consult with your veterinarian and note that updates will be appearing on the ARF and AOBA websites.
Because every state laboratory has different sample requirements, it is critical that you work with your local veterinarian to insure that samples are submitted properly.
1) Appropriate on going farm bio-security has been and will continue to be an important tool that owner’s can use to prevent BVDV from getting onto the farm. Quarantine all alpacas that come to the farm or return from another untested location (shows, breedings, etc.) for a minimum of thirty days. Test all existing and new alpacas before they come to the farm for BVDV with a viral whole blood test. Add a clause to all contracts that provides for testing and full refund if the alpaca is PI.
2) There are three excellent and widely accepted BVDV tests: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the virus isolation/identification (VI) test and the IHC (immunohistochemistry) test. Blood for either the PCR or VI test can be collected in an EDTA (purple/lavender top) tube. A negative blood viral test would indicate that the alpaca is not PI for the life of that animal when run at a laboratory experienced with alpaca BVDV testing. A negative IHC test also rules out a PI status.
3) All aborted and stillborn fetuses, crias that die, and any unexplained deaths should be necropsied by a veterinarian or sent intact to your state veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Tissue samples and blood can be sent to this diagnostic lab and tested for disease agents, including BVDV. Low birth weight crias, poor doing crias, “failure to thrive”, very premature crias, and alpacas with unexplained illness should be tested for BVDV.
4) If BVDV is identified from any blood/tissue submission, then the herd could be strategically tested (BVDV herd screening) to see if there is a persistently infected (PI) animal present in the herd as the source of the infection.
Your veterinarian should contact a veterinary diagnostic laboratory which is experienced with BVDV testing in alpacas to find out which viral tests are offered for the detection of BVDV.
Some diagnostic laboratories have viral testing preferences using PCR vs. VI (virus isolation) testing on whole blood. With proper blood submission, both tests are valid for the detection of active viral infection in alpacas.
Evaluation of tests:
5) If the test in a live animal is positive for BVDV, this may only represent an acute (short lived) viral infection. A second sample must be collected three to four weeks later and tested to confirm that the animal is or is not persistently infected. A negative viral result on the second test shows the animal was simply exposed to BVDV and fought the infection. Quarantine after a second positive whole blood PCR or VI (virus isolation), or IHC, is very important. This requires veterinary consultation to determine the need for further testing or possible euthanasia.
The serum neutralization test may be used to demonstrate antibodies to the virus, indicating exposure to the virus . After doing viral testing, use the serum neutralization (SN) test as a subsequent screening tool to evaluate if any alpaca may have ever been exposed to BVDV. Note that this test is NOT useful to detect PI animals.
6) If you receive any positive BVDV report (viral or SN test), it is essential that you discuss this with your veterinarian. Determinethe necessary follow-up testing and contact any farms that may have had contact with your animals so that they can take action to limit the spread of BVDV.
Conclusion: In summary, although presently rare, BVDV is a potential threat to the alpaca industry. It is imperative that all alpaca owners become familiar with BVDV terminology/science, the potential for animal losses, prevention of viral contamination and testing procedures to identify infected carrier animals (PI) as well as identification of exposed, but non-infectious alpacas.
NOTE: Testing for PI status need only be done once in the life of the animal as PI animals can only develop from fetal infection.
The following websites have additional information on BVDV, testing and terminology:
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts_waddl/bvdcamelids.asp
www.alpacaresearchfoundation.org
ARF has immediately funded research to provide new information about BVDV in alpacas and will announce results on their website as they are available. ARF will also be in close contact with AOBA and will be sponsoring the first annual
Special Lecture which this year will be presented by Dr. Ed Dubovi on BVDV at the AOBA National Conference ( Louisville , KY ; May 18, 2006 ) regarding ongoing research, testing and results.
Ever Consider Driving?
by Niki Kuklenski
Driving is a passion and an addition as anyone who has experienced riving will tell you. There is nothing quite like driving on the open road with your llama. You will notice things that you have never seen before, even though you may have driven past hem 100 times in your car. By far the biggest benefit of driving is the great condition it puts your animals in.
I have a male who I have been driving for eight years. During that time he has never been fat and has always been in supreme condition for any activity he does. While I know some of it is a result of his genetics, some is because of the exercise he has had for years in the cart.
While at the LANA conference one year, I entered the pack trial there. With everything going on, I didn’t do the normal pack conditioning I do for my animals prior. No only did he complete the master division, he was the only one that did. Later that day he led the parade downtown with two people in the cart and was still going strong!
I truly believe that regular driving can condition your pack animals on the off season and keep them healthier much longer. Many of us know Gwen’s Ranger Dusty who is now age 20 and still avidly working. Jim Logan’s Apollo One is still doing well at age 20 also. I believe part of this is because of their physical strength from driving.
Driving also can help to keep weight off animals. Be getting regular exercise, it helps to maintain a healthy overall condition instead of just during packing season. It is also something that you can do without having to hike yourself. During years past, I have tied other packers behind my cart with their packs on to condition multiple animals. Extreme caution should be used when doing something like this, but if you know your animals behaviors it is an option.
As a youngster my driving llama had chronic foot rot. When he began driving at age three, the problem was eliminated. Out of curiosity, I talked to a fellow driver who confirmed that he consistent driving on pavement toughens their pads. To this day at age eleven, my animal has not had a problem again with foot fungus on his pads. Driving also wears down the nails and keeps them in good shape. When I was driving regularly, I didn’t have to do my animals’ nails for years.
The benefits and fun derived from driving are endless. Hopefully this has given you a brief insight into the wonderful world of driving.
Reprinted from The Backcountry Llama, Vol. 16 No 1 Winter 2006
Red Blood Cells in Llamas: What Can Go Wrong?
by Susan J. Tornquist. DVM College of Vet. Medicine Oregon State University
A shortage of red blood cells is called anemia. This is a condition that is seen in all species of animals and it can range from mile to severe. The effect of anemia on al animal may not be noticeable to an owner, but the clinical signs can range from mild exercise intolerance to marked depression and even death. As red blood cells carry oxygen to all the tissues of the body, the lack of oxygen experienced by anemic (animals) will negatively impact he health of all tissues eventually.
There are many causes of anemia including the obvious ones like blood loss due to trauma and less obvious causes such as kidney disease, various types of toxins, trace mineral deficiencies (iron and copper, for example), cancers and others. Although we can determine the underlying cause of anemia in many cases, it remains a mystery in other cases. Treatment of anemia is most often based on treating the underlying disease or condition. In the cases of anemia for which we can’t identify a cause, we have to treat symptomatically. That is, we may need to give blood transfusions, drugs that stimulate red blood cell production, or injections of iron, which is a crucial component in hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in blood.
One of the newer approached to treating anemia is to use blood substitutes. These are made from hemoglobin that is processed in a way that preserves its oxygen-carrying capacity, but eliminates some of the blood components that can cause undesirable reactions. Blood substitutes have certain advantages over transfusion of real blood. Of course, there are also some disadvantages, with cost being one of those. Although blood substitutes have been used occasionally in llamas and alpacas, their effects have not been tested in a controlled manner. We are hoping to study the effects of a blood substitute in camelids in order to provide veterinarians with some concrete information that can help them decide whether or not it is a “good option.”
One of the many causes of anemia in llamas is Mycoplasma haemolamae, a form of bacteria that attaches to red blood cells of llamas and alpacas. This organism was formerly known as Eperythrozoon spp. Infection with M. haemolamae (and) may cause a mild anemia that is not associated with any clinical signs, but on some animals, there is a severe anemia as the infected red blood cells are destroyed by the animal’s immune system. We have been studying M. haemolamae for several years and have developed a sensitive PCR assay that has been very helpful in diagnosis of this infection. We have used the assay to study the antibiotic treatment, oxytetracycline, which is most commonly used to treat the infection. We’ve found that, in many cases, treatment reduces the clinical signs of infection, but doesn’t totally eliminate the infection. This means that there are llamas that don’t show any signs of disease, but can serve as a source of infection for other animals. Our most recent study looked at the efficacy of another drug, florfenicol in treatment of M. haemolamae infection. Florfenicol is definitely not as effective as oxytetracycline and we would not recommend that it be used for this infection. There are some other drugs and treatment protocols that may be more effective in treatment and we are continuing to look for the best way to eliminate the infection. We are also continuing to study the prevalence and risk factors for M. haemolamae infection and are trying to determine how it is transmitted.
Red blood cells of camelids are among their very unique features. They have a different shape and properties than red blood cells of all other mammals. They’re crucial to an individual’s health and well being and they pose some interesting challenges for camelid veterinarians and researchers.
Reprinted from Llama Living the Michigan Lama Association NL, Vol. 10, Issue 2
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Advertisers' Index
We encourage you to support the following advertisers. They make this information possible.
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Glenmor Forest Llamas |
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Hinterland Llamas |
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Little Doc's Veterinary Care |
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Llama Things |
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Mountain Oaks Ranch |
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Rocky Mountain Llamas |
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Steven's Llama Tique and Suri Alpacas |
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Tally Ho's Big Sky Ranch |
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Traditional Lama Coalition |
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Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc. |