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 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 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)
Anesthetic Procedures and Techniques in Camelids
Overview
General Considerations
Preanesthetic Evaluation
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
