Oasis Camel Dairy

Thursday, February 28, 2008

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Camel Care
                             

Camel Husbandry and veterinary procedures- helping you maintain a healthy and happy camel.

Camels are generally sweet, docile accommodating animals. They have been domesticated for thousands of years. During these years wild traits were bred out of the breed. Although there is a small herd of wild Bactrian camels in the Gobi desert there are no wild Dromedaries in the world today. There are about 400,000 feral dromedary camels in Australia. These are domesticated animals that were release to the wild.

All the information on this site in regards to camel care and husbandry is my personal opinion. Please check with your vet, camel trainer, and common sense before following any of my advice! This is my disclaimer!

 

Gelding your camel

 

We have heard of many people that have had problems gelding their camels. If your vet needs information on this procedure please have them email or call us. Our veterinarians have completed this simple procedure many times and are willing to share their expertise.

Why geld your camel?

While we are always campaigning on behalf of the camel who is probably one of the most misunderstood animals on the face of the planet we also make it very clear that bull camels are very dangerous. Bull camels have been known to kill people that have unwittingly placed themselves in between the bull and his females. They have 3" fighting teeth and they will not hesitate to use them. All males should be gelded unless they are being used by a professional who knows what he or she is doing.
Most camels left un-gelded will developed unwanted behavior upon maturity. So, don't take a chance with your life or the lives of those close to you. Geld your camel early.

Basic information about gelding your camel-

  • Well, first make sure that both testicles are present! You don't want to do this operation twice, or have to do exploratory surgery to find the second one. Usually the second testicle will 'drop' in the winter when the camel enters rut.
  • It is your responsibility to make this as comfortable and safe for your camel. When you do so you will also make the procedure easier on your vet.  Make sure your hobble knots are nice and tight and won't come loose. Make sure that the camel is comfortable, cushed on soft padding, you can put bails of hay on each side of the camel to keep him upright.
  • Make sure that your camel has not had food at least 12 hours before the operation.
  • Ruminants (such as camels, llamas, cow etc. can aspirate very easily. DO NOT allow your camel to lay on it's side. Always keep the head elevated.
  • We have found that it is easier to geld a camel when he is elevated. We usually cush the camel in a trailer with his rear end close to the door.
  • Once the camel is sedated and cushed, hobble your camel. Make sure your ropes are tight. This will help keep the camel from getting up during the procedure. We usually hobble front as well as back legs.
  • Keep the head elevated and neck straight. We sometimes use a bail of hay to support the camels head. Don't obstruct the camels air flow.
  • You can cover the head with a towel, some people don't like the camels to associate the procedure with them. We have never had a problem with this.  Our camels are as sweet after the gelding as they were before.
  • The sedation is very simple but you will have to have your vet contact our vets directly for this information.

If you have any questions regarding the care of your camel please contact us.

You want to make sure that your camel is safe and comfortable during his operation. His needs come first.

Camel hobbled in trailer, notice the elevated head, and the hobble knot above the tail.

Removing the hobbles after the procedure is done.