An Overview of Camelids in the United States

Patrick Long DVM Camelid Healthcare Services Corvallis Oregon Camelids in US

• My perceptions of the industry as a practicing veterinarian working with camelids since 1982. I have worked closely with the owners association for the past several years and participated in several imports to the US and a recent export to Japan. Camelids

• Ask questions if I speak to quickly or something is not clear. • Feel free to cut me off as needed! Goals

• Introduction to Camelid Evolution • Overview of Camelids in the US • Diseases/conditions of concern to US producers Origins

• Origins in North America 11-9 million years ago. • 3 million years ago, migration occurred across the Siberian land bridge— • Migration south across the Panama Isthmus resulted in South American camelids. Spanish Conquest Effects

• South American Camelids (SAC) domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago • Widespread thru all of • Pre Inca cultures started process but perfected by the • Spanish conquest of South America decimated the SAC and native people The Family

Camelus dromedarius pacos glama

Camelus bactrianus Vicugna vicugna Lama guanacoe

Camelids in US

• Alpaca numbers— 300,000 • numbers--- apx. 125,000 • Not all and alpacas are registered—so this is a bit of an educated guess. • 94 million cattle • 5.32 million sheep • 2.62 million goats

Bottlenecks

• Spanish conquest in 1532 resulted in 90% loss of all camelids in South America. • Native people were decimated and much of the knowledge of raising camelids was loss. • Camelids were forced into the highlands where sheep did not do well.

South American numbers

• Approximately 6.5 million llamas and alpacas in South America • Reported that 85 % are owned by small farms with flocks of 30-300 • Large cooperatives can have over 40,000 alpacas located on several farms

Southern

Congenital Defects

• SAC known for high percentage of congenital defects. • Many are observed at birth: choanal atresia atresia ani heart defects Some not obvious till older: reproductive anomalies page81 Cria Care

Camelids in US

• Most farms in the US are single species farms. Most alpaca farms have no other species—thus limiting spread of certain diseases. Many llama farms are more hobby farms—multiple species. • Farm sanctuaries exist with multiple species at times. • Show circuit is large with alpacas—regional and national shows may have over 1500 present. Great potential for horizontal transmission. Concerns of US producers

• Following list (in no particular order) are concerns facing US producers Parasites

• Internal---Nematodes, Trematodes, coccidia

• External • Mites--- Chorioptic, Psorotic, Demodex

Camelid Parasites • Many sources of general information on parasites are available. While not specific to alpacas or llamas, a very useful site is (sheepandgoat.com). Another good website is wormx.info (American consortium for small parasite control) • Parasites are common in large animals, it is probably not realistic to expect that we will eliminate, but we should control them with medications and management. Resistant GIN

• Early studies indicate there are resistant Gastrointestinal nematode parasites • Probably linked to P. tenuis control strategies and overuse and misuse of deworming products. Parasite control

• Strategic deworming • Strategies: Do not feed hay on ground Keep feces cleaned off ground Do not overstock pastures Rotational grazing Deworm at appropriate time of year Parasite Control

• Where do I start? • Fecal Samples 10 animals or 10% of herd, which ever is more. • Fecal Sample 10-14 days post de- worming to determine potential resistance. • Ask what type of fecal test is being done. float vs. McMasters vs. sugar floatation Management must be discussed! Parasites

• Haemonchus contortus is a major concern for camelid owners. • Resistance to most classes of anthelmentics has been demonstrated on some farms. • Treatment with the ivermectin class for prevention of P. tenuis is one contributing cause. Discussion points

• Wormx.info and sheepandgoat.com • If you have a parasite problem on your farm you cannot de-worm you way out • You must change some management to prevent re-infestation • Healthy animals are more resistant to parasitism Coccidiosis

• Small coccidia---common • Large coccidia-E mac.---emerging problem due to increased pathogenicity and long pre-patent period. • Current research includes development of an Elisa and PCR tests for early detection of E. mac. Coccidia of camelids Giardia and Cryptosporidum

• Both organisms isolated from animals with diarrhea. • Cryptosporidium---recent report links cases in alpacas and cases in farm workers and veterinary students • Giardia—reported as cause of neonatal diarrhea TB

• M. bovis isolated in England and Ireland • M. microti isolated in Switzerland • Appears to connected to cattle and badgers in England and Ireland • New serologic tests are now available • Intradermal test not effective in Switzerland for M. microtii or in Ireland for M. bovis. Bluetounge

• Sporadic cases reported in US • BTV8 has been a concern in Europe, with fatal case/cases reported. • Vaccine trials have been completed in alpacas in England (Bovilis BTV8-Intervet) and has been shown to produce antibodies after 2 doses of the vaccines. EEE

• Previous reports from East Coast several years ago • Vaccine study has been done—no adverse events and antibody response demonstrated, but no challenge studies have been done. West Nile Virus

• Recent history—few reported cases in camelids. • Several cases reported in early 2000’s • Several studies have been done—vaccine needs to be used differently than recommendations for horses. Most animals will develop antibody response. • Not widely used in industry Johnes disease

Incidence/ Concern? Several reported cases in Australia

• Common cause of diarrhea in neonates and post show animals • May be responsible for “snots” or upper respiratory disease seen a few years ago after shows. • MERS—Middle East Respiratory Disease can affect llamas—experimentally but no naturally occurring cases reported Corona Virus

• Completed Research: • UC Davis: Investigation of a Novel Respiratory Coronavirus in Alpacas: Diagnostic Test Development and Initial Prevalence Assessment—Beate Crossley • Initial Study by Dr. Crossley— Characterization and Id of Novel Coronavirus. BVDV

• Many cases of PI crias reported • Most cases are one serotype • Appears to be horizontal spread • Active surveillance by owners and Breed group • Owners are becoming less vigilant, so may become a larger issue • Low incidence/high impact problem for Owners BVDV Research

• Sequencing BVDV strains—Dr. John Neill—Ames Iowa, National Disease Center • Experimental Exposure of naïve Alpacas to BVDV virues 1a,1b and 2—Jason Johnson, Auburn University Prion Disease

• Prion Disease was recently described in a in Algeria • To my knowledge, no prion diseases have been described in llamas and alpacas Equine Rhinopneumonitis

• Camelids are susceptible • Not aware of recent cases • Current situation in horses could pose a risk for camelids. Mycoplasma haemolamae

• Formally called Eperythrozoonosis • Incidence reports of apx 20% in Switzerland, US and South America • Probably a 2ndary concurrent problem • Anemia can be striking • PCR is best way to diagnosis • Current research funded by MAF and Alpaca Research Foundation Strep equi sp Zooepidemicus

• Known as “alpaca fever” • Sporadic reports and one “herd outbreak” • Fever, depression, anorexia • Systemic infection can involve lungs, and serosal surfaces of thoracic and abdominal cavities. Miscellaneous

• Brucellosis • FMD • Chorioptes Mites • MCF • Tick Borne diseases—Alpacas could be a reservoir but are not checked extensively—no recognized problems at this point