Term
| what are the two types of alpacas? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
padded feet with 2 toes per foot
place less pressure on soil than other ruminants |
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Term
| alpacas are _____________________ breathers |
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Definition
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Term
| alpacas typically live how long? |
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Definition
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Term
| what are general husbandry treatments of feet? |
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Definition
Trim nails with sheep foot shears every 6-8 wk
Raise each foot from ground with animal
standing
Cut across tip, then down each side of the toe
(v-shaped) to bring nail level with sole |
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Term
| how often are alpacas sheared? and when it is usually done? |
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Definition
| annually (usually late spring) |
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Term
| what is the cause of infertility of some males? |
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Definition
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Term
| describe typical the vaccination program for adults and cria |
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Definition
Vaccination 5 in 1
– Adults: 2x/year 2ml subq
– Cria: 3mths, booster 4 wk later, 2ml subq |
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Term
| Describe worming in alpacas |
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Definition
– Not always necessary (dung piles)
– Injectable (Ivomec: Dectomax)
– Oral (Closal or Cydectin Long Acting) |
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Term
| 85%-90% of diet should be: |
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Definition
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Term
| how much water does a 70kg alpaca require/day? |
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Definition
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Term
| are alpacas browsers or grazers? |
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Definition
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Term
| what adaptation does the alpaca possess for eating? (other than stomach) |
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Definition
| split upper lip for browsing |
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Term
| describe the stomach of an alpaca. |
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Definition
Stomach has 3 chambers: C1, C2 and C3
Contains fungi, protozoa and bacteria (microflora)
which release fatty acids, protein and vitamins
from food
C1: Oesophagus entry, mostly left side
C2: Small, mostly right side
C3: Long and narrow. Two functioning parts
C1 and C2 are anaerobic fermentation chambers
Regurgitate chewed food from these chambers
C3 digests fat and protein
Secretes acid (can be site of ulcer formation) |
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Term
where do you check for BCS in an alpaca?
What is ideal BCS for a non-preg, non-lactating alpaca? |
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Definition
check backbone at region of last ribs
2.5-3.5 is ideal |
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Term
| describe the dentition of an alpaca |
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Definition
Adult: 28-32 permanent teeth
6 lower incisors (front) 2 upper incisors (side)
2 upper and 2 lower canines “fighting teeth”
4-8 premolars
12 molars |
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Term
| How do you age an alpaca? |
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Definition
using the lower incisors
6 total (3 each side)
1st Set : 2 to 2.5 yr
2nd Set : 2.5 to 3.5 yr
3rd Set : 3.5 to 6.0 yr
Canines : 2.5 to 3.5 yr (average)
Accurate aging after 6 yrs not possible |
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Term
| when do males reach sexual maturity? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
low volume, low concentration
highly viscous |
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Term
| What are some of the problems associated with teh highly viscous semen? |
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Definition
– limits sperm motility
– major impediment to development of ARTs
– prevents cryopreservation (freezing)
– not able to disseminate genes worldwide |
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Term
| when are female alpacas usually bred? |
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Definition
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Term
| what are the signs of estrous in an alpaca |
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Definition
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Term
| what type of ovulators are alpacas? |
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Definition
induced ovulators
-induce 30hr post copulation, but not induced if no dominant follicle present |
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Term
| how can you tell an alpaca from a llama? |
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Definition
alpaca
-spear shaped ears, smaller, single coat
llamas
-banana shaped ears, larger, double coat |
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Term
| >90% of pregnancies are in the ______ uterine horn |
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Definition
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Term
| how long is gestation for alpacas |
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Definition
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Term
| How is pregancy detected and when? |
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Definition
spitting off (day 14)
transabdominal (day 60) |
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Term
| How early after birthing can alpacas get pregnant? |
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Definition
5-7 days after ovarian activity resumes
-uterus involuted 20 days post-birth
-mate within 3 wks of birthing |
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Term
| 90% of births occur during the _________ hours |
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Definition
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Term
| what are some signs an alpaca is going to give birth? |
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Definition
-seperate from herd
-hum
-urinate more frequently (visit the dung pile more frequently)
-lie down and stand up more often
-look behind towards tail |
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Term
| within _____ min, the baby will stand and drink colstrum |
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Definition
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Term
| what are some of the problems of assisted repro? |
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Definition
1) Semen collection difficult
2) Viscous semen hinders sperm analysis, processing and cryopreservation
3) Lack of understanding of female physiology
– Induction of ovulation
4)Artificial insemination not developed
– Timing of insemination
– Volume and concentration of sperm |
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Term
| what repro assisted has been developed? describe. |
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Definition
embryo transfer
– Multiple ovulation stimulated
– Natural mating with male
– Fertilised eggs transferred to recipient females
– Multiple offspring
– Reduces size of gene pool |
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Term
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Definition
Sheared annually ~6kg fleece
Medullated (almost “hollow”)
Fibre ranges from 16-30 micron thick
Lower grease content (5%) than wool (30%)
Soft yet strong, and warm yet light in weight
22 certified natural colors
can be sold $25-60/kg
bred for low micron high density fleece |
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Term
| Describe internal parasites in alpacas |
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Definition
| same as sheepbut uncommon b/c of communal dung piles |
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Term
| what are two common diseases of alpacas |
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Definition
Johne's disease (mainly the ovine strain, but have been diagnosed with the bovine strain)
clostridial diseases (tetanus, pulpy kidney, blackleg), recieve 5 in 1 vxs for these |
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Term
| do alpacas get footrot or foot and mouth disease? |
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Definition
Alpacas don’t get footrot as they have padded
feet, but do suffer from foot and mouth disease. |
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