Anesthetic Procedures and Techniques in Camelids
Overview
Camelids (llamas, alpacas, camels) are often tractable, thus physical restraint and local anesthetic techniques are frequently used to provide immobility and analgesia. General anesthesia techniques are similar to those for ruminants and horses. Regurgitation of compartment one (C1) of the stomach contents, similar to ruminants, and postoperative nasal congestion and associated respiratory distress postextubation are potential hazards associated with anesthesia. Close observation and monitoring of palpebral and ocular reflexes, eyeball position, and pupil size can be used to monitor the depth of anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia is generally quiet and uneventful.
General Considerations
I Preparation of camelids for anesthesia and surgery
A Decrease the size and pressure in C1 before anesthesia
1. Withhold food for 12 to 18 hours in adult camelids
2. Withhold water for up to 12 hours in adult camelids
3. Do not withhold food or water in neonates to decrease the risk of dehydration and hypoglycemia
B Stomach tubes should be placed in the esophagus when appropriate to relieve gas pressure and avoid bloat and aspiration of C1 contents
C Positioning is important to reduce regurgitation
1. Keep the animal’s head elevated above the stomach if possible
2. Do not roll an anesthetized animal dorsally unless an endotracheal tube is placed
3. If regurgitation occurs, position the animal’s head with the mouth below the level of the poll and ensure an open airway; stomach tubes can be placed in the esophagus to prevent aspiration
1. Camelids do not have a jugular furrow; location of the vein after occlusion of the vein is dependent upon palpation
2. The carotid artery runs close to the jugular vein and is more easily palpated than in other species; confirm venous placement before drug administration
E Obtain an accurate weight; estimating the animal’s weight should be avoided when possible
1. Camelids vary in size from neonates weighing 8 to 20 kg, to adult llamas of up to 200 kg and camels weighing up to 500 kg
F Care of the head and neck is important following sedation and induction of general anesthesia
II Some surgical techniques in camelids can be performed with local or regional anesthesia (see Chapter 5) in combination with sedation
III General anesthesia is required if local or regional anesthetic techniques are inadequate; light stages of anesthesia may predispose the animal to stress, which may result in tachycardia and hypertension
Preanesthetic Evaluation
I Preanesthetic evaluation is similar to that in ruminants (see Chapter 23) (Table 25-1)
TABLE 25-1
Normal Values for Awake and Anesthetized Camelids
| Heart rate (bpm) | Respiratory rate (bpm) | Mean arterial blood pressure (mm Hg) | Temperature (°F) | Packed cell volume (%) | Total plasma protein (g/dL) | ||
| Llamas and alpacas | Awake | 60-90 | 10-30 | 90-110 | 100.5-102 | 23-43 | 6.0-7.5 |
| Anesthetized | >35 | >6 | >60 | >95 | >20 | >4 |
Preanesthetic Medication
I Preanesthetic drugs are administered to calm or sedate camelids or to decrease the dose of a more potent intravenous (IV) or inhalant anesthetic drugs
II Tranquilizers are not approved for use in food animals; drug residues in meat products are problematic
III Popular preanesthetic medications include the following drugs:
1. 0.1 to 0.9 mg/kg of body weight IV or intramuscularly (IM) for large camelids, 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg for llamas
2. Use low-concentration of xylazine (20 mg/mL)
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