camelid husbandry

Llamas and alpacas

Domesticated South American camelids used for packing, show, breeding, ornaments, and fiber production

South American camelids

Llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña

Llama

Domesticated camelid larger than alpaca, commonly used as pack and guard animal

Alpaca

Smaller domesticated camelid primarily raised for fiber

Guanaco

Wild South American camelid species

Vicuña

Small wild camelid producing very fine fiber

Obligate nasal breather

Camelids must breathe through their nose and cannot breathe effectively through the mouth

Foregut fermenters

Digestive system with three compartments (C1, C2, C3) for fermentation

Camelid stomach compartments

C1 and C2 for fermentation and bicarbonate secretion, C3 tubular and secretes hydrochloric acid

Normal camelid temperature

37.5–38.9°C (99–102°F)

Normal respiratory rate adult camelid

10–30 breaths per minute

Normal heart rate adult camelid

60–90 beats per minute

Elliptical red blood cells

Unique camelid RBC shape aiding oxygen transport

Handling principle

Camelids are herd animals and should be handled in pairs or groups

Handling environment

Quiet, calm environment with minimal stress

Handling technique

Follow the leader and use halter and lead rope

Handling precaution

Avoid touching the head and limit direct eye contact

Handling equipment

Solid wall preferred; crush and headgate ineffective for alpacas

Body bind technique

Wrapping body to restrict movement safely

Neck grip holding technique

Used to control camelid movement by controlling the head

Spitting behavior

Stress or annoyance response; ears back, flared nostrils, relaxed throat

Signs of stress

Open mouth breathing, cushing posture, ears back

How to reduce stress

Stop handling and allow animal to calm

How to annoy camelids

Petting, hugging, picking wool, grabbing, hiding hands

Water requirements alpaca

2.5–4 liters per day

Water requirements llama

4–6 liters per day

Shelter requirements

Three-sided shed providing protection from wind and rain

Herd health influences

Owner background, herd size, purpose, geography, economics, vet expertise

Average lifespan

15–20 years

Adult llama weight

115–240 kg (250–530 lbs)

Adult alpaca weight

55–80 kg (120–175 lbs)

Normal alpaca birth weight

5.5–9.5 kg

Normal llama birth weight

8.2–18.1 kg

Prematurity indicator

Birth weight <20 lbs in llamas

Body condition score (BCS)

Scale 1–5 or 1–9 to assess nutritional status

BCS assessment

Palpation of lumbar spine, shoulders, thighs

BCS monitoring frequency

At least monthly

Poor BCS causes

Parasitism, chronic disease, malnutrition

Primary parasitism diagnostic

Fecal examination for worms

Eimeria macusaniensis

Coccidian parasite causing mortality in young alpacas

Tuberculosis presentation

Granulomatous respiratory disease

Male camelid dentition

Four canines and one upper incisor

Permanent incisor eruption

I1 2–2.5y, I2 2.5–3y, I3 3–4y

Jugular venipuncture anatomy

Thick skin, ventrally curving cervical vertebrae

Venipuncture sites

Jugular, cephalic, ear vein, tail vein, saphenous

Cephalic vein

Preferred site in neonates

Abdominal anatomy

Three stomach compartments C1, C2, C3

Gastric motility

5–8 cycles per minute, irregular and quiet

Foot structure

Two digits with pad and nails, not hooves

Nail trimming

Required routinely if not naturally worn

Shearing purpose

Prevent heat stress

Shearing timing

Late spring to early summer

Microchip location

Base of left ear subcutaneously

Camelid feeding type

Browsers and grazers

Forage efficiency

16–25% more efficient than other ruminants

Maintenance diet

Good grass hay, 10% crude protein

Dry matter intake

2–4% of body weight

Late gestation feeding

0.25–0.5 kg grain twice daily

Growing llama nutrition

16% grain supplement

Calcium to phosphorus ratio

Approximately 2:1

Selenium supplementation

Required in deficient areas

Feeder design

Off ground, movable, covered

Creep feeders

Allow cria access to supplemental feed

Fighting teeth

2 upper and 1 lower on each side

Fighting teeth removal

At gum line using obstetrical wire

Castration age

6–18 months

Puberty

Approximately 12 months

Castration precaution

Tetanus prophylaxis required

Vaccination status

All vaccines extralabel

Core vaccines

Multivalent clostridial and tetanus

Dam vaccination timing

4 weeks pre-parturition

Cria vaccination schedule

At 4 months, booster 3 weeks later

EHV-1 importance

Neurologic disease and blindness risk

Leptospirosis vaccination

In endemic abortion areas

Rabies vaccination

In problem areas; not licensed

Injection sites

Rear legs or chest wall

Pregnancy diagnosis early

Ultrasound from day 12

Heartbeat detection

Day 21–28 via ultrasound

Rectal palpation

Day 30–45

Transabdominal ultrasound

Day 35–45 left side, >90 days right side

Neonatal behavior

Little cleaning or contact from dam

Llama udder anatomy

4 teats, 8 glands

Neonatal care steps

Dip navel, check udder, ensure nursing

Selenium injection

Recommended in deficient regions

Premature cria signs

Low birth weight, short hair, domed skull

Epidermal membrane

Lubrication aid at birth

Colostrum intake

10% body weight in first 12–18 hours

Colostrum substitute

Goat first milk

Failure of passive transfer threshold

Total protein <5 g/dL

IgG failure

Adequate IgG

1500 mg/dL

Expected daily weight gain

0.22–0.45 kg per day

Solid feed intake age

2–3 weeks

Rumen function development

4–6 weeks

Weaning age

4–5 months

Congenital defects

Heart, choanal atresia, atresia ani, limb deformities, polydactyly

Common cria abnormalities

Choanal atresia, VSD, umbilical hernia, septicaemia, diarrhoea