Old World Camelids

The old-world camelids include the dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedarius ), the domesticated Bactrian camel ( Camelus bactrianus ) and the endangered wild Bactrian camel. Acceptable handling practices and restraint may vary depending on the culture and experience of the camel owners. Camel raisers should allow camel calves to live with other camels in order to develop appropriate social skills. If necessary, milk and veterinary care should be supplied by caretakers, but overly-affectionate interaction should be avoided. Even with effective physical restraint, sedation may be necessary to perform certain tasks on camels. The doses and combinations of sedation do not vary wildly from those used in South American camelids, but some sample protocols and notes about specific drugs are included. Most camels in North America are bred by natural cover, but advanced techniques in reproduction have been developed and used with increasing frequency in the Middle East. Camels may experience lameness and bone disease due to improper dietary management.