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 For
Immediate Release
Alpaca
Research Foundation Update:
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)
in Camelids
February
2006
-- Bovine viral diarrhea virus
(BVDV) has recently been recognized
as a source of disease in alpacas,
resulting in reproductive loss
and illness. Although BVDV is
currently a rare alpaca disease,
there is clear evidence indicating
that the disease has been present
in the North American alpaca herd
since at least 2001 and likely
originated from BVDV infected
cows. Camelid owners, caretakers,
veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories
need to become familiar with this
emerging threat to alpacas.
As of
this writing (Feb 1, 2006) at
least 40 persistently infected
(PI) alpacas have been identified
in North America. Ongoing research
and testing is being funded by
the Alpaca Research Foundation
(ARF) to determine the prevalence
of BVDV in our national herd.
This virus has potential to spread
within the alpaca industry under
specific circumstances. The cattle
industry has been battling BVDV
for decades.
ARF is
providing this information to
alpaca breeders so that informed
decisions can be made in consultation
with their veterinarian. These
include recommendations on education,
testing, bio-security and management.
We feel certain these are the
keys to prevent and then to control
this disease. Perhaps with unity
and dedication we can curtail
the disease in our alpaca industry.
Read
the entire ARF release in PDF
format HERE
(64kb)
For more information on the
Alpaca Research Foundation, it's
goals, missions, or contacts,
please visit their website at
www.alpacaresearchfoundation.org.
******************************************************************
For
Immediate Release
Announcement!
New ARF Research Projects for
2004-2005
March
2005
--Through the incredible support
of the alpaca community, the Alpaca
Research Foundation has provided
funding for five new research
projects currently underway for
2004-05. In addition, ARF is able
to support two projects through
the Morris Animal Foundation.
These projects are to be conducted
at six different universities
in the USA and Canada. They address
a variety of needs in the alpaca
industry.
The
research topics include the following:
- Gaining
a better understanding of
the hormonal control of ovulation.
- The
first color genetics study
to take advantage of the enormous
amount of information coming
out of the alpaca genome project.
- A
definitive study of the ability
of the West Nile virus vaccine
to prevent infection in alpacas.
- An
innovative approach to limiting
neurologic damage due to meningeal
worm infection.
- Testing
of a new blood substitute
that can be used to treat
anemia in alpacas.
- Testing
in alpacas to find the correct
dose and document safety of
omeprazole, a drug that has
been used to treat stomach
ulcers in horses.
The
official title of these research
projects, the investigators, and
the allocated funding are listed
below. For a more detailed project
description, visit our website
at www.alpacaresearchfoundation.org.
Gregg P. Adams, DVM, PhD, University
of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada Ovulation
Inducing Factor in Seminal Plasma
of Alpacas, 1 year, $14,181.75
Emilie Campbell, PhD, Brigham
Young University, Provo Utah Investigation
of Genes Controlling Pigmentation
in Alpacas, 2 years, $12,087.78
Michelle A. Kutzler, DVM, PhD,
Oregon State University, Corvallis,
Oregon Experimental West Nile
Virus Infection in Vaccinated
and Unvaccinated Alpacas, 1 year,
$20,630 Jeffrey Lakritz, DVM,
PhD, The Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio Expression of Matrix
Metalloproteinases in CSF Fluid
of Alpacas with Meningeal Worm:
Role in Pathophysiology of Neuorologic
Deficits, 1 year, $28,000 Susan
J. Tornquist, DVM, PhD, Oregon
State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Effects of Polymerized Ultrapurified
Bovine Hemoglobin Blood Substitute
in Anemic Alpacas, 1 year, $12,387
March
2005 -- Alpaca Research Foundation
Funds Five New Research Projects
for 2004-2005
In addition, ARF approved continued
funding of the first half of the
final year of the Alpaca Genome
Project, through the Morris Animal
Foundation. Warren Johnson, PhD,
National Cancer Institute, Frederick
Maryland An Integrated (Coding
Gene and Microsatellite Marker)
Radiation Hybrid Map of the Alpaca,
First half of the third and final
year, $47,500 ARF will also co-sponsor
a new Morris Animal Foundation
Project: Geof Smith, DVM, PhD,
North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, NC. Bioavailability and
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Omeprazole
in Llamas, 1 year, co-sponsorship,
$3,000
The ARF Board of Directors would
like to thank ARI, AOBA and all
the alpaca owners and breeders
who have demonstrated how much
they really care for these wonderful
creatures that have given us so
much, by donating generously to
the Alpaca Research Foundation.
For more information on the
Alpaca Research Foundation, it's
goals, missions, or contacts,
please visit their website at
www.alpacaresearchfoundation.org.
******************************************************************
 March
13, 2005
Maryland
Alpaca Breeder's Association recognizes
Ohio State Alpaca Teaching Herd
as a noteworthy cause which supports
the entire U.S. Alpaca Industry
At our March
2005 General Meeting, the Maryland
Alpaca Breeder's Membership agreed
to help promote the Ohio State
Alpaca Teaching Herd as a worthwhile
cause which benefits the entire
alpaca industry. Having a sizeable
herd (100 alpacas) on hand enables
The Ohio State Alpaca Teaching
program to do the valuable research
that not only trains large animal
veterinarians to service our industry,
but also allows the school a herd
on which to conduct research.
You can donate
directly to this program via Ohio
State's web site at https://www.giveto.osu.edu/igive/index.asp
(please make sure to designate
"Ohio State Alpaca Teaching
Herd" in the specific instructions),
or you may send a check made payable
to "Camelid Fund at OSU"
to:
Susan Kelly,
Accounts Manager
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
601 Vernon L Tharp St.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
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