As South American camelids (an umbrella term that includes llamas, alpacas, and camels) become more common in zoos and farms and the problems of their health and maintenance become ever more pressing, this book will prove an essential tool for veterinary, animal husbandry, and zoo practitioners, researchers, and care takers. Owners and breeders of llamas, alpacas, AND camels are well-educated and will also purchase this text readily in seeking content to protect their investment. Fortunately, most common procedures and first aid can be done by the farmers/owners.

Alpaca and llama farming is a growing trend that has seen a recent resurgence. Prices for livestock skyrocketed in the mid-2000s, driving down the appetite to invest in alpacas. The industry is starting to come back as the price of the animals has gone down. According to experts, alpacas and llamas are one of the easiest animals to farm, and people who aren't typically farmers have begun successful llama and alpaca farming ventures. Llamas can make excellent guardians for other smaller livestock such as alpacas.

For this edition, the authors are adding camels to the book, which will also grow the market by combining a new similar market with an already-established book and audience base. The camel industry is also an evolving one, especially internationally; this sales channel is responsible for 45% of the total print units to date. With advancements in the camel racing industry internationally, camels must undergo regular check-ups to successfully combat common camel diseases. The United Arab Emirates currently has an estimated 14,000 active racing camels that require large staffs of trainers and doctors, among others, to maintain them and keep them in top condition. Owners spend a tremendous amount of money on camel upkeep and essentials every month during the race season. Their caretakers meticulously watch over the camels to ensure that they remain in prime condition. The sport continues to grow and develop, spreading and gaining recognition in regions where camels are not generally common. Camels are now recognized as a valuable resource. In additional to being profitable, domestic camels are often the main source of meat, milk and even leather or wool products in areas

The Dubai Camel Hospital, which opened in 2017, exclusively treats camels. It's the first one in existence. The authors believe that there could be interest with special sales. Camels have a very unique physiology, so there is a need for more literature as they grow in popularity.

There is no recent or comprehensive book on camels on the market. Elsevier would be the first-to-market with this revision, and we would own the premier text book in this market.