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Serum selenium levels. in alpacas on different farms in Canterbury measured during ’05 – ’08 MMG Koning Selwyn Rakaia Veterinary Services. Selenium - introduction. Canterbury and other parts of New Zealand are deficient in selenium
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Serum selenium levels in alpacas on different farms in Canterbury measured during ’05 – ’08 MMG Koning Selwyn Rakaia Veterinary Services
Selenium - introduction • Canterbury and other parts of New Zealand are deficient in selenium • Selenium supplementation is an accepted method to deal with the deficiency in many species • What are the selenium levels in Canterbury • What is the best way to supplement alpacas?
Selenium • Serum selenium • representation of short-term selenium availability • Samples analysed at Gribbles
Measurement of serum selenium in • Groups of healthy alpacas assumed to be representative for the respective herds • Alpacas showing signs that could be caused by selenium deficiency • Follow-up cases post selenium Tx
Serum selenium levels on Canterbury farm C2 before (March) and after (July) 4 months of oral supplementation with sodium selenate in ‘06
Serum selenium levels on Canterbury farm C3 before (Nov) and after 4 months (Apr) and 11 months (Oct) of oral supplementation with sodium selenate
Serum selenium levels on Canterbury farm C1 before (Feb) and 2 months after (Apr) a long-acting selenium injection SQ (p<0.001)
Serum selenium levels in an alpaca before and at different times during yearly supplementation with 2 ml long-acting selenium SQ Se-LA Se-LA
Serum selenium levels in an alpaca 2 months (May ’06) and 4 months (July ’06) after parenteral short-acting selenium SQ (sodium selenate)
Serum selenium levels on alpaca farm C5 during different seasons with different supplementation of selenium pasture Se prills pasture Se prills 12 m post Se LA 18 m post Se LA
Additional information • During the period ’05 – ’08 serum selenium has been determined for a 194 alpacas • The highest serum Se was 3470 nmol/L • The lowest serum Se was 60 nmol/L
Conclusions • Oral selenium supplementation increases the serum selenium levels • Serum Se increases slowly • Need to dose repeatedly and long-term • Compliance is an issue, especially long-term
Conclusions • Parenteral selenium supplementation increases serum Se rapidly (within 2 months) • Long-acting Se maintains serum Se comfortably for 12 months (as claimed for sheep) • Short-acting Se maintains adequate serum Se levels for at least 2 months, but not 4 months (claim is 3 months for other species)
Conclusions • Paddock application of Se prills results in variable levels