Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas provides a step-by-step guide to performing procedures in llamas and alpacas. Organized by body system, the book presents concise, visually oriented information to enable clinicians to treat these animals with confidence. With coverage ranging from basic maintenance such as restraint and catheterization to more complex procedures such as minimally invasive surgery, Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas describes the full range of techniques required for the medical management of these species.

Each procedure is described in detail, with a consistent format for ease of use and accompanying photographs to illustrate the concepts described. A companion website offers videos of many of the procedures discussed in the book. Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas is an essential resource for any veterinarian or technical staff member treating South American camelid patients.

Preface ix

About the CompanionWebsite xi

1 Behavior and Capture Techniques 3
David E. Anderson

2 Haltering 11
Meredyth L. Jones

3 Manual Restraint 15
David E. Anderson

4 Chute Restraint 23
Meredyth L. Jones

5 Ear Squeeze (Ear Twitch) 27
Meredyth L. Jones

6 Injections—Subcutaneous (SC), Intramuscular (IM), Intradermal (ID), Intravenous (IV) 29
Meredyth L. Jones

7 Sedation and Tranquilization 35
David E. Anderson

8 Injectable Anesthesia 39
David E. Anderson

9 Orotracheal Intubation 43
David E. Anderson

10 Nasotracheal Intubation 47
David E. Anderson

11 Percutaneous Tracheal Intubation (Also Referred to as Retrograde Tracheal Intubation) 51
Matt D. Miesner

12 Vascular Catheterization—Jugular Vein 57
Meredyth L. Jones

13 Vascular Catheterization—Cephalic Vein 63
Meredyth L. Jones

14 Vascular Catheterization—Saphenous Vein 65
Meredyth L. Jones

15 Vascular Catheterization—Lateral Thoracic Vein 67
Meredyth L. Jones

16 Vascular Catheterization—Auricular Artery and Vein 69
Meredyth L. Jones

17 Vascular Catheterization—Femoral Artery 71
Meredyth L. Jones

18 Intramedullary Cannulation of the Femur for Administration or Parenteral Fluids 73
David E. Anderson

19 Intraperitoneal Cannula for Plasma or Fluid Administration 77
David E. Anderson

20 Caudal (Sacro-coccygeal) Epidural Anesthesia 81
Matt D. Miesner

21 Epidural Catheterization 83
Matt D. Miesner

22 Lumbo-Sacral Epidural Anesthesia 89
Matt D. Miesner

23 Anatomical Features of the Head and Neck 95
David E. Anderson

24 Dental Examination and Trimming 99
Meredyth L. Jones

25 Tooth Extraction—Oral Approach 105
David E. Anderson

26 Tooth Extraction—Lateral Approach to Premolars and Molars 111
David E. Anderson

27 Examination of the Ear 117
Matt D. Miesner

28 Anatomical Comments on the Skin 123
Matt D. Miesner

29 Skin Scraping 127
Meredyth L. Jones and Patricia Payne

30 Skin Biopsy 131
Meredyth L. Jones

31 Toenail Trimming 135
Meredyth L. Jones

32 Thorax Anatomy and Auscultation 141
Matt D. Miesner

33 Tracheotomy/Tracheostomy 143
Matt D. Miesner

34 Field Diagnosis of Choanal Atresia 147
David E. Anderson

35 TranstrachealWash 151
Matt D. Miesner

36 Anatomical Comments on the Camelid Abdomen 157
Matt D. Miesner

37 Abdominal Ultrasound 161
Matt D. Miesner

38 Abdominocentesis 167
Matt D. Miesner

39 Liver Biopsy 171
Meredyth L. Jones

40 First Compartment Paracentesis (Rumenocentesis) and Fluid Evaluation 175
Meredyth L. Jones

41 Intubation of the First Forestomach Compartment (“C1” or “Rumen”) 179
David E. Anderson

42 Laparotomy—Lateral Approach 183
David E. Anderson

43 Laparotomy—Ventral Midline 191
David E. Anderson

44 Laparoscopy 197
David E. Anderson

45 Creation of Stoma into First Forestomach Compartment (“Rumenostomy”) 203
David E. Anderson

46 Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Ambulation 209
David E. Anderson

47 Regional Intravenous Drug Perfusion 213
Meredyth L. Jones

48 Urinary Tract Examination and Anatomy 219
Meredyth L. Jones

49 Urethral Catheterization 223
Meredyth L. Jones

50 Ultrasound of the Urinary System 227
Matt D. Miesner

51 Cystocentesis 233
Meredyth L. Jones

52 Comments Regarding Female Genital Anatomy 239
David E. Anderson

53 Pregnancy Diagnosis 243
David E. Anderson

54 Procedure: Vaginoscopy and Uterine Culture 249
David E. Anderson

55 Teat and Udder Examination 253
David E. Anderson

56 Mastectomy (Udder Amputation) 257
Matt D. Miesner

57 Cesarean Section (also known as Hysterotomy) 261
David E. Anderson

58 Diagnosis and Management of Uterine Torsion 265
David E. Anderson

59 Male Genitalia Anatomical Comments and Breeding Behavior and Soundness 273
David E. Anderson

60 Examination of the Penis and Prepuce 277
David E. Anderson

61 Examination of Accessory Sex Glands 281
David E. Anderson

62 Examination of the Scrotum and Testicles 285
David E. Anderson

63 Semen Collection and Evaluation 287
David E. Anderson

64 Castration 293
Meredyth L. Jones

65 Neurological Examination and Anatomy 301
Meredyth L. Jones and Matt D. Miesner

66 Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection and Interpretation 305
Meredyth L. Jones

67 Eye Exam 311
Tracy Miesner

68 Nasolacrimal Duct Cannulation 315
Meredyth L. Jones

69 Conjunctivorhinostomy for Alleviation of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction 317
David E. Anderson

70 Ocular Extirpation 319
David E. Anderson

71 Subpalpebral Lavage System 323
Tracy Miesner

72 Conjunctival Pedicle Graft 327
Tracy Miesner

73 Blood Transfusion 333
Meredyth L. Jones

74 Plasma Transfusion 337
Meredyth L. Jones

Index 339

David E. Anderson, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS, is Professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Meredyth L. Jones, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVIM, is Assistant Professor, Food Animal Field Services, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Matt D. Miesner, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVIM, is Associate Professor, Agricultural Practices Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.