Confidence with Camelids – for Vets

If you feel out of your depth with camelids, or would like a refresher, this course “Confidence with Camelids – for vets” is ideal. I will arm you with sufficient confidence with which to approach most of the common scenarios seen in practice. You will come away with comprehensive notes including a Camelid Formulary.

Camelids are everywhere these days and if you’re in large animal practice, it’s extremely likely that you will have some registered with your practice. Alpacas and llamas have species-specific anatomy and physiology and some of the clinical problems seen are unique to the species. In addition, their clinical problems sometimes present differently to the way they might present in other species. Recommended treatments are very different in these species in some cases! Finally, all medicines are used off-label. While some drugs that are widely used in other species are toxic, others need using at different dosages in order to be effective. It’s therefore important to gain familiarity with the species so that costly mistakes can be avoided. If you learn to approach camelid cases as camelids, you will find yourself with some of the most loyal and happy clients in camelid owners!

Alpacas and llamas are fun to work with and are often rewarding animals to treat. The owners are often willing to go further with diagnostics and therapy than owners of traditional farm species. You will be taught by the UK’s only specialist camelid vet, and be taught the most up to date information to help you care for your patients. There will be ample opportunity for questions – there is no such thing as a stupid question! Our aim is for you to come away from this course feeling abundantly more confident!

Practical sessions

The course has several practical sessions to help you re-inforce what you are learning in the classroom sessions.

1. Practical alpaca handling skills, toenail trimming, dental evaluation, body condition scoring, injection sites. Practice physical examination on healthy alpacas.
2. Venipuncture (using an alpaca venipuncture model), blood smear preparation, interpretation of basic lab work.
3. Abdominal ultrasound examination.

You will learn useful tips for handling and assessing alpacas, and also get to practice your clinical and diagnostic skills including venipuncture (using a teaching model) and abdominal ultrasound.

Notes: Confidence with Camelids – for Vets

For Vets Only (and final year vet students!)

Lunch and refreshments included! Be sure to notify us of any dietary restrictions when making your application for this course!