Alpaca Preventative Medicine Notes

Alpaca Physiology and Behavior

  • Alpacas differ from other ruminants in physiology.
  • Understanding alpaca behavior is key for effective handling.

Alpaca vs Llamas

*Alpacas:

  • Short ears
  • Softer fleece
    • Llamas:
  • Banana ears
  • Coarser outer coat
  • Taller

Alpaca Types

  • Huacaya: 90% of alpacas, soft, crimpy wool
  • Suri: Silky fleece, pencil-like fibre

Alpaca Behavior and Handling

  • Herd animals: Require companions.
  • Curious: Can be directed using mirrors and flight zones.
  • Restraint:
    • Standing with held restraint.
    • Hooshed/Kooshed with rope or sedation.
    • Recumbent sedation for procedures.

Alpaca Restraint

  • Standing: Arm around neck and supporting the body, ideally with a halter.
  • Hoosh/Cush/Kush: Rope around mid-limb, over the shoulders.

Stress and Spitting

  • Stressed alpacas vocalize, hoosh, lip-lick, put ears back, and spit.
  • Females spit off males when pregnant.
  • Stress can be fatal.

Alpaca Husbandry

  • Accessible, low-stress handling facilities.
  • Regular cleaning of faecal piles.
  • Early intervention is critical due to alpacas' tendency to hide illness.
  • Never let the sun set on an unpacking

Alpaca Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Nutrition

  • 3-compartment stomach (pseudoruminant):
    • C1 and C2: Mechanical + Mucosa (pH 6.2-6.6).
    • C3: Proximal 2/3 mucosa, distal 1/3 glandular acid-producing (pH 2-3).
  • No enzymes to utilize complex CHO.
  • Symbiosis with microbes for cellulose digestion.

Adult Alpaca Nutrition

  • C1, C2, proximal C3 function like a rumen.
  • Distal 1/3 C3 functions like an abomasum, killing microbes.
  • Byproducts of microbial fermentation feed alpacas.
    • VFA energy (Acetate > Propionate > Butyrate).
    • Protein (microbes themselves).
    • Water-soluble vitamins.

Nutrition Transition from Monogastric to Pseudoruminant

  • Stomach sterile at birth; crias depend on milk first 14 days.
  • Oesophageal groove directs milk to C3.
  • Offer high-quality pasture/hay prior to weaning (6 months) for C1 microbe adaptation.
  • Reduce stress during weaning.

Adult Nutrition specifics

  • Water intake approx. 5% BWt (e.g., 3.5L for 70kg alpaca).
  • Feed forage first.
  • Fibre regulates speed through C1-C3.

How Much to Feed?

  • Maintenance: 1.5% BWt DM%/day.
  • Lactating (peak 2-4wk pp): 2.5%-3% BWt DM%/day.

Environment/Pasture Management

  • Maximize pasture growth by monitoring stocking rate.
  • Maintain pasture >3cm tall to reduce parasites and erosion.
  • Rotate pastures to avoid over-grazing and high worm burdens.

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Calcium:Phosphorus 1.2-2:1.
  • Selenium deficiency is common.
  • Vitamin D low in Southern Australia.
  • A & E vitamins are found in green feed.

Vaccinations

  • Use Glanvac or Ultravac series (3-in-1, 5-in-1, 6-in-1, 7-in-1, Tasvax 8-in-1).
  • Avoid Johnes disease vaccine.

Vaccination Protocol

  • Sheep dose (1mL).
  • First at 8 weeks, booster 4-6 weeks later.
  • 6 monthly booster for C.perfingensC. perfingens.
  • Booster @ 4-6 weeks pre-partum for cria protection.

Alpaca Pharmacology

  • No drugs are registered for use in camelids in Australia.
  • Everything is off-label.

FAMACHA and PCV/TP

  • FAMACHA: Anemia detection.
  • PCV/TP: Accurate anemia .