For your reference, a PDF file of this Alpaca Health and Illness page (correct at 11/10/2024) can be downloaded.
If you cannot find what you are looking for on this page, I would really appreciate a note to tell me so that I can write on the subject for you and future visitors. Worms and other parasites affecting alpacas are now found on this page and given the importance to alpacas, Facial Eczema has its own page.
With appropriate care, alpacas maintain very good health. As with all livestock, occasional health issues are found, and this page may help the reader to recognise these.
Please note:This information is provided only as a guide to the commoner illnesses in alpacas. If an owner cannot quickly determine the cause of any abnormal symptoms or behaviour by an animal, veterinary assistance must be sought. Nothing provided here is a substitute for veterinary consultation.
It is very important that alpaca owners know the normal behaviours of each of their animals. Alpacas are stoic, meaning that they will try to hide the symptoms of any injury or illness. Knowing what is normal makes diagnosis of illness or injury far easier. Sudden and rapid weight loss is often indicative of health issues, so condition scoring or weighing your alpacas on a regular basis is valuable. Moreover, visual clues such as lack of energy, spending more time recumbent, and reluctance to stand can indicate illness.
Notable in the treatment of alpacas is that very few (if any) drugs are approved for use in camelids by any national medicines regulatory body. Although a range of safe and effective drugs has now been established for use in alpacas, they are used "off label", that is, not specifically tested on them. Vets tend to approximate alpaca dosage rates based on those for sheep.
Following are some of the commoner and relevant conditions affecting alpacas in New Zealand:
Alpacas will graze a wide variety of plants but many found growing in New Zealand paddocks and gardens are poisonous to livestock and must be removed if within reach. There is a saying of "if in doubt, pull it out" for good reason. Crias are most at risk as they will try plants that the adults avoid.
The list of toxic plants is extensive but perhaps the most likely encountered in New Zealand would be Oleander, Foxglove, Hemlock, all Nightshade members, Laburnum, Iris, Jerusalem cherry, Rhododendron, and Azalea, Ragwort, and Box hedging. Of these, hemlock and rhododendron/azalea are the most dangerous as they are relatively common, and ingestion of even small quantities of any parts of the plant can be fatal. If an owner believes that an animal has eaten any of these, veterinary help must be obtained immediately.
This page shows a photograph gallery of toxic plants that grow in New Zealand and other countries.
Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin through a chemical reaction caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As alpacas evolved at high altitudes where they are exposed to high intensities of UV radiation, when kept at lower altitudes, the amount of UV radiation they receive is lower, and they may become vitamin D deficient.
Rickets is more common in crias born later in the year and darker-fleeced animals. Symptoms may include lethargy, reluctance to walk, splay-legged gait, a hunched back, and bowed fore-limbs. Veterinary consultation is vital, as failure to treat will result in permanent bone deformation. Prevention is the best course, and this is discussed in the section on injection schedules.
Osteomalacia involves removal of calcium and phosphate from the long bones, leading to similar symptoms, and can also be treated under veterinary supervision with vitamin D and phosphate supplements.
This skin condition is known by many names, including 'rain-scald', 'mud rash', 'lumpy wool', 'strawberry foot rot', and 'pastern dermatitis'. It is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis and can result in severe skin infections, forming crusty scabs that contain the microorganism. These lesions are most common on the back and involve wet, clumped wool that can be removed in clumps. The underlying skin is often reddened and weeping.
The bacterium can survive in infected scabs for months. Veterinary consultation is essential for appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics and povidone iodine shampoos or chlorhexidine solutions.
This condition is caused by the endophyte fungus Epichloë festucae, which produces mycotoxins that cause neurological symptoms when ingested. Ryegrass staggers commonly affect animals under two years of age and may lead to head tremors, uncoordinated walking, and loss of limb control. Removing the alpaca from the infected pasture typically results in recovery, with recovery time ranging from one to three weeks. Veterinary treatment may include vitamin B1 injections.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. It can affect a wide range of animals in New Zealand but cattle and deer are most at risk of contracting the disease. The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the main wildlife vector (carrier) of bovine Tb in New Zealand. This animal was introduced from Australia for the production of its fine fur. However, it is now endemic and estimates of numbers are certainly greater than 50 million. This possum is also responsible for significant damage to forests and the killing of native wildlife. The usual route of Tb infection is through the inhalation of droplets expelled from the lungs of an infected vector.
The TBfree programme (through OSPRI) aims to eradicate bovine Tb from New Zealand through targeted control. As part of the process, the country is divided into Tb control areas with each having a specific testing frequency and movement control measures, depending on the risk of Tb transmission from an infected vector.
As it is now established that camelids are susceptible (if resistant) to this disease, the AANZ has set up a procedure for testing and reporting of camelid herd Tb status. The scheme is voluntary but all owners are strongly recommended to take part. Moreover, it is currently a condition of attendance at A&P shows that alpacas are tested and have valid certificates. All herd members over 6 months old must be tested to gain a “Whole Herd” status.
The single tuberculin test (STT) is approved for use as a primary Tb test for alpacas. An accredited vet will need to apply the test to an area of skin either at the neck site (about level with the animal’s back) or behind the foreleg. The neck site is the AANZ preferred and recommended site. Examination of the test site is made two or three days later for any skin reaction.
A detailed Tb reference card from the AANZ archive can be downloaded.
Johne’s disease is one of global significance. Simply from an economic loss standpoint, it is prominent among rumunant species, cattle, sheep, deer and goats with many herds having infected animals. Furthermore, the wider range of species that can be infected is illustrated by a review of published data on affected zoo animal species [50], which included alpacas and llamas.
The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium ssp paratuberculosis and results in a very gradual thickening and inflammation of the intestinal wall (enteritis) which eventually prevents the absorption of nutrients. Infection most commonly occurs at a young age through ingestion of the bacteria but symptoms are not seen for some years. The shedding of bacteria in the faeces starts before there are any clinical signs thus is the main source of transmission between animals. The bacterium survives for long periods in the paddock.
Clinically, Johne’s disease is characterised by slower growth rates in younger animals but as the disease advances there will be weight loss and often profuse diarrhoea. Affected animals eventually die. A diagnosis may be confirmed by various testing methods. Growth of M. avium bacteria from faecal samples is possible but is a slow process due to the slow growth rate of the organism. There are currently no treatments for Johne's disease.
In New Zealand, Dairy NZ has produced a Johne’s Disease guide containing tools to combat the infection and prevent its spread in herds. A vaccine is available for sheep and goats but not cattle due to the interference of the vaccine with TB testing. This would also be an issue with alpacas being taken to shows as a clear TB status is currently required.
Alpacas kept in damp or even wet paddocks may develop pododermatitis. This can be seen as blisters and sloughing from the footpads and often there are infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, frequently Fusobacterium necrophorum [34]. Veterinary treatment involves the removal of damaged tissue, antiseptics and possible use of foot protection to allow healing. Antibiotics are often given. Growth of new tissue on the footpad may take many weeks and is helped by keeping the animal in a dry environment.
Given their high fibre diet, it might seem counter-intuitive that alpacas can suffer from constipation. The cause may be unclear but possibilities are a sudden change of diet, drinking too little water or even stress. Symptoms include an increased frequency of rolling, increased vocalisation, laying on one side and kicking at the stomach, all of which suggest abdominal pain.
Veterinary assistance is needed as treatment may include Buscopan (smooth muscle relaxant), Flunixin (Banamine) for pain relief and mineral oil administered either orally or rectally. Walking the alpaca on a halter and lead will assist the action of the oil. Faecal material is usually expelled after a few hours and often as large masses. Normal defecation resumes within 24 hours.
Most alpaca owners will have seen an alpaca with diarrhoea at some point. Unfortunately there are many causes and detective work can eliminate some possibilities before the arrival of the vet. Diarrhoea must be taken seriously as the alpaca can lose significant amounts of water and electrolyte as a result.
Following are a number of possibilities:
The ability of alpacas to survive and thrive at altitude and at temperatures between -15℃ and 40℃ make them versatile animals from the human perspective. However, higher temperatures and humidities can be an issue if the alpaca is in full fleece, a situation made worse if it obese. Heat Stress is less likely in New Zealand but a significant risk in many other countries that alpacas are now raised in.
Symptoms may include abnormally rapid breathing through an open mouth, shaking and foaming at the mouth. The body core temperature is significantly raised. Should these symptoms be seen, veterinary help should be called in but the animal should have its body fleece removed immediately. Water can then be used to cool the alpaca but other measures can be used by the veterinarian.
Choke in alpacas is often associated with the rapid consumption of pellets (kibble). Symptoms may include abnormal regurgitation sounds, copious salivation/drooling and saliva/pellet mixture being expelled from the mouth (see image). Rapid pellet consumption may be due to an animal gaining access to a feed bag of the kibble, a dominant animal eating multiple portions or a low-ranking animal quickly grabbing and swallowing what they can get.
The blockage can occur anywhere along the length of the oesophagus. Some alpacas will clear the blockage themselves though in milder blockage cases, gentle upward massaging of the oesophagus may relieve the obstruction. However, should the blockage not clear quickly, veterinary help must be obtained as other treatment methods are available but these may require sedation. Critically, any alpaca that has completely blocked the oesophagus will start to bloat as it cannot expel gasses from its rumen fermentation.
Choke is completely preventable by mixing the kibble in with chaff. Doing this makes the alpaca search for the kibble pieces and because its eating is slowed, enough saliva is produced to lubricate the chewed kibble down the oesophagus.
Most of the literature below can be accessed by clicking on the highlighted link. Some links will access the appropriate web page from which the article can be downloaded but others will immediately start downloading the full reference.
5. Philippe, G. (2016). Lolitrem B and Indole Diterpene Alkaloids Produced by Endophytic Fungi of the Genus Epichloë and Their Toxic Effects in Livestock. Toxins (Basel), 8(2): 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2516
20. Foster, A. (2008). Skin diseases of South American camelids. Br. Vet. Zool. Soc. Proc., May: 30-32.
34. Kumar, A., Anderson, D., Amachawadi, R.G., Nagaraja, T.G. and Narayanan, S.K. (2013). Characterization of Fusobacterium necrophorum isolated from llama and alpaca. J. Vet. Diag. Invest., 25(4): 502–507.
49. McCaslin, E. (2009). Mighty Mites: Chorioptic Skin Disease in Alpacas. Alpacas Magazine, Herd Sire, 150-155.
50. Roller, M., Hansen, S., Knauf-Witzens, T., Oelemann, W., Czerny, C. P., Abd El Wahed, A., and Goethe, R. (2020). Mycobacterium avium ssp paratuberculosis Infection in Zoo Animals: A Review of Susceptibility and Disease Process. Front. Vet. Sci., 7, 572724.
72. Van Saun, R.J. (2009). Nutritional diseases of llamas and alpacas. Vet. Clin. Food Anim., 25: 797-810. doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2009.07.013
Farm tours are available for couples, families, and smaller groups to meet, feed, interact with, and walk with our alpacas.
For full details and to book your experience of these wonderful animals, please go to our reservation form.
Shearing is an important time of the year. Not only does it enable your alpacas to remain cool during the summer months but their fleeces become available to the owner.
This new page is an interactive detailed listing of all alpaca shearers operating in New Zealand.
During our farm tours, visitors ask many questions about the alpacas, from keeping them, on their health, to their breeding and much between. This page gives a selection of these along with concise answers and many pointers to more detailed information. This page is growing!
Directions - Once in Wanganui, drive up Somme Parade and when it becomes Papaiti Road (just past the cemetery), travel a further 7.4km alongside the river. We are the first house on the right with a large white letterbox and sign for the farm. On Google Maps we are shown as 'Te Korito Alpacas'.