Alpaca

Heat stroke

SignsOpen-mouth rapid breathing, drooling, staggering, lying down and unable to stand, raised body temperature

PreventionAlways shear in spring (by May). Provide shade, airflow, and cold water at all times. Avoid handling during the heat of the day

Meningeal worm

SignsHind-leg weakness or paralysis, head tilt, circling, inability to stand. Most common fall to winter

PreventionA deer-borne nematode with snails as intermediate host. Drain wet areas of the pasture and keep deer out

Vitamin D deficiency

SignsPoor growth in crias, bowed front legs, reluctance to walk, swollen joints. Most common winter to early spring

PreventionIn low-sunlight winters, ask the vet about vitamin D supplementation. Dark-fleeced crias need extra care

Stomach worms / internal parasites

SignsWeight loss, diarrhea, pale inner lower eyelids (anemia), dull fleece, swelling under the jaw

PreventionTime deworming by regular fecal exams. Rotate pastures and collect dung

Dental problems

SignsDropping food from the mouth, chewing on one side, swollen jaw, bad breath, losing weight despite eating

PreventionDental check once a year. Have overgrown incisors trimmed by the vet. See the vet early for any jaw swelling

Coccidiosis

SignsWatery to bloody diarrhea in crias, listlessness, sudden weight loss, dehydration

PreventionAvoid overcrowding; keep areas where dung and urine collect dry. Get a fecal exam early for any cria with diarrhea

Fractures / dislocations

PreventionClose off gaps in fences and ditches. Lay rubber mats on slippery earth floors. Never let dogs chase them

First aidDo not move it; keep it in a quiet pen. Do not force a splint; keep one herd mate nearby. See the vet the same day

Toenail / footpad wounds

PreventionTrim toenails every 2–3 months. Avoid mud and pick up glass and nails from the pasture

First aidRinse under running water; press a clean cloth on any bleeding. See the vet for persistent limping, pus, or deep wounds

Bites from fighting teeth

PreventionHave a male's fighting teeth (canines) removed by the vet from age 2–3. Avoid crowding males together

First aidFor torn ears or genital wounds, apply pressure to stop bleeding, wash the wound, and see the vet. A split ear or bleeding that will not stop needs the vet the same day

Corneal injury

PreventionRemove stiff hay stalks, thorny plants, and branches from the pasture. Use feeders that keep the eyes away from the ground

First aidIf you see tearing, blinking, or cloudiness, do not touch the eye; move the animal somewhere dark. Keep it from rubbing the eye and see the vet the same day

Cryptosporidiosis

RouteOral infection via hands, water, or tools contaminated with dung

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling. Wear gloves when a cria has diarrhea. Use separate tools and disinfect with boiling water

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

RouteDirect contact with hairless skin patches or fleece

PreventionIf you see round bald patches or dandruff, do not touch; see the vet. Wash hands and change clothes after working

Q fever

RoutePlacenta and fluids at birth; inhaling dust from dried dung and urine

PreventionWear gloves and a mask at births. Seal and dispose of the placenta; wet down the shelter before cleaning

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from dung, contaminated feed or water

PreventionIsolate any animal with diarrhea. Keep feed and water away from dung. Wash hands thoroughly, especially before eating

Food

• Hay (low-protein grass hay such as timothy) available at all times
• Pasture grass is the staple. About 1.5–2% of body weight (dry matter) per day
• Free-choice camelid mineral mix (with selenium and vitamin D)

Water

• Clean water at all times. In summer each animal drinks 10 L or more a day
• Prevent freezing in winter. If they do not drink, gut motility drops

Toys & play

• Herd mates are the best stimulation. A dust-bathing area (dry sandy ground)
• A wide pasture with room to run. Small mounds or log steps
• In summer, a shallow tub of water (they cool their belly and legs in it)

Nest, bed & hideout

• A three-sided shelter that blocks wind and rain but stays well ventilated
• Make the shelter large enough for the whole herd to lie down at once

Bedding & litter

• Dry straw or wood shavings on the shelter floor. Collect dung daily
• They choose a communal dung pile; concentrate cleaning there
• In summer do not wet the earth floor; keep it dry (for toenails and parasite control)

Cage / housing material

Wooden or metal-pipe fencing, 1.2–1.5 m high. Wooden shelter

Size & space

Pasture: at least about 500 m² per animal. Shelter: 2–3 m² per animal

Layout

• Several shaded spots (trees or roofs) in the pasture, without fail
• Keep the shelter, water, and feeding area away from the dung pile
• Set aside a separate pen for isolating sick animals or for birthing

Placement notes

• Fence gaps must be too narrow for a head to fit through. Never use barbed wire
• Fencing that keeps dogs and strays out. Locking gates to prevent escapes

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free on pasture during the day. Walking with the herd is their exercise
• Halter-train them and lead-walk a few times a week as practice for vet checks
• In summer, avoid lead-walking or moving them except early morning and evening

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureIdeal 5–25°C. Above 30°C there is a risk of heat stroke, and shearing is a must

HumidityPrefers dry conditions. High humidity causes heat stroke and skin disease; prioritize ventilation

Summer & winter

• Summer: shear by May; shade, fans, cold water, and a water tub to cool the belly
• Winter: tolerates cold but needs a shelter from wind and rain. Crias need a coat and vitamin D

Nail trimming

Trim toenails every 2–3 months with hoof nippers. Overgrown nails deform and cause limping

Brushing, skin & coat care

Shear once a year in spring (professional shearer). Check regularly for matting and skin eczema. Leave the head and legs unshorn

Other care

Check teeth once a year. Remove a male's fighting teeth at age 2–3. Also check the ears for mites

Protection from predators

• Stray and pet dogs are the biggest threat. Never let dogs into the pasture
• Crows target crias' eyes and newborns. Have births in the shelter
• Keep snails and deer out (meningeal worm); control mosquitoes and horseflies

Foreign-body ingestion

Pick up plastic, string, wire, and nails from the pasture. Never leave feed bags lying around. Not eating, drooling, or a bloated belly means a vet visit the same day

Being stepped on

Crias can be kicked or trampled by herd males. Keep mother and cria in a separate pen for a few days after birth. If the cria cannot walk, see the vet

Getting pinched

Heads and legs often get caught in fence gaps. Make gaps too narrow for a head. If caught, free it gently; see the vet for swelling or limping

Falls

Falls in ditches, on steps, or on wet earth floors cause fractures and dislocations. Fill in ditches and lay rubber mats. If it cannot stand or a leg is deformed, do not move it; see the vet

Escape

Double-lock gates. If one escapes, do not chase; showing it a herd mate brings it back. If it reaches a road, call the police. Watch for cars and dogs

Safe release procedure

1. Stay calm first; do not stand in front of it, and move away quietly from the side
2. Do not pull the bitten area; gently turn its face away with your hand
3. If other herd members are nearby, guide it toward them
4. For spitting, back off the moment the ears go flat and turn your face away

After the release

Wash wounds under running water; people with deep wounds or swelling should see a doctor. Discuss the cause of aggression (fighting teeth, male rank) with the vet

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, body temperature, time of onset, photo of the dung, dates of recent deworming and shearing, what it has been fed, and how the rest of the herd looks

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Consciousness: call its name and see if the ears move. Check pupil response
• Breathing: normal is 10–30 per minute. Count by the nose and chest movement
• Heartbeat: normal is 60–90 per minute. Feel behind the left elbow

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with a clean cloth for at least 5 minutes
• For a bleeding leg, bandage it firmly and keep it above heart level
• If it will not stop, keep pressing and call the vet

Transport

• A livestock vet house call is the norm. If transporting, use a livestock truck or trailer with the animal lying down (cushed)
• Bringing one herd mate along prevents panic