Common Health Concerns

With appropriate care, alpacas maintain very good health. But, as with all livestock, occasional health issues and abnormal symptoms or behaviours will surface.

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Alpacas are stoic, meaning that they will try to hide the symptoms of any injury or illness. Knowing which are common diseases and concerns makes diagnosis far easier.

Sudden and rapid weight loss is often indicative of health issues, so condition scoring or weighing alpacas regularly is valuable. Furthermore, visual clues, such as lack of energy, spending more time recumbent, and reluctance to stand are usually signs of concern.

Poisonous Plants

Alpacas will graze a wide variety of plants, and a surprising number found growing in paddocks and gardens are poisonous to most livestock. There is a saying of “if in doubt, pull it out” for good reason. Crias are most at risk, as they will nibble on plants that the adults avoid.

Choking

Choking 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.

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.

Choking 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.

Eye Injuries & Infections

With their large eyes, alpacas can easily get plant matter or pollen stuck in their eyes. Keep an eye open for glassy, weepy or pussy eyes, and consult your vet immediately.

Diarrhoea

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 electrolytes as a result.

Possible Causes:

• Parasites:  Coccidia, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common causes of diarrhoea in alpacas, depending on locale. These can be present in contaminated feed or water and may cause damage to the alpaca’s intestinal lining. Symptoms can include loose or watery stools, weight loss and loss of condition. Diagnosis is typically made through faecal testing and treatment may involve anti-parasitic drugs.
• Bacterial Infections:  Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens can also cause diarrhoea in alpacas. These bacteria may be present in contaminated feed or water and can be transmitted from other animals. Symptoms may also include fever, lethargy and dehydration. Diagnosis is typically made through faecal testing and treatment may involve antibiotics, fluids and supportive care.
• Viral Infections:  These include rotavirus and coronavirus as a cause. These viruses can be spread from animal to animal and through contaminated feed or water. Symptoms may also include fever and lethargy. Treatment is typically supportive as there are no specific antiviral medications available for alpacas.
• Consumption of Toxic Plants:  Besides toxic plants, there is a large variety of other plants that are irritating to the bowel, and can cause diarrhoea if enough is eaten. Treatment is simply to move the alpaca to another paddock not containing the offending plant. Recovery may take some days as the alpaca adjusts to the new forage.
• Diet:  A sudden change in diet or consuming spoiled or contaminated food. This can occur when alpacas are moved to a new location or when there is a change in their feed or hay. Symptoms may also include bloating and abdominal discomfort. Treatment can involve removing the offending food or gradually transitioning the alpaca to a new diet.
• Stress:  Stressful situations, such as transportation or changes in their environment (for example, when alpacas are moved to a new location), or when they are exposed to loud noises or other environmental stresses may lead to symptoms including diarrhoea, lethargy and decreased appetite. Treatment should involve moving the alpacas to calmer surroundings or providing supportive care.
• Antibiotics:  Antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the alpaca’s gut, leading to diarrhoea. This can occur when antibiotics are given to treat a bacterial infection or as a preventative measure. Abdominal discomfort and bloating may also occur. Treatment may involve stopping the antibiotic or providing supportive care.
• Other Medical Conditions:  Some medical conditions, such as liver or pancreatic disease, can cause diarrhoea in alpacas. These conditions can affect the alpaca’s ability to digest food properly. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, weight loss and poor fleece condition. Diagnosis is typically made through blood work and other diagnostic tests and treatment may involve medications and dietary changes.

Heat Stress

The ability of alpacas to survive and thrive at altitude and at temperatures of -15℃ up to 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 the animal is obese.

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 be used to cool the alpaca, but other measures may be used by the veterinarian.

Rickets (Hypovitaminosis D)

Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin through a chemical reaction caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Alpacas evolved at high altitudes, where they are exposed to high intensities of UV radiation. However, they are now kept at lower altitudes, where the amount of UV radiation received is lower. They may thus become vitamin D deficient.

Vitamin D is responsible for the effective absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphate, and is also involved in the regulation of calcium levels in the bloodstream. Any deficiency will therefore affect the growth and calcification of bones.

The deficiency condition is called rickets in young animals, and called osteomalacia / osteoporosis in adults. Rickets is more common in crias unpacked later in the year and to darker fleeced animals. Symptoms may include lethargy, being reluctant to walk, and when moving show a splay-legged gait, have a hunched back and bowed fore-limbs. Veterinary consultation is vital as failure to treat will result in permanent deformation of the bones.

Osteomalacia involves removal of calcium and phosphate from the long bones. Symptoms are similar to rickets and can also be treated under veterinary supervision with vitamin D and phosphate supplements.

Alpacas younger than two years old, along with pregnant or lactating females, are most at risk of deficiency. Low sunshine hours and animals in full fleece are at particular risk.

Dermatophilus

This skin condition is familiar to many livestock owners and is known by many names, including cutaneous streptothrichosis (cattle, goats, and horses), rain-scald, mud rash or mud fever (horses), lumpy wool (sheep), strawberry foot rot (sheep and cattle), and is a causative factor in pastern dermatitis (horses).

It is caused by the bacterium dermatophilus congolensis and can result in severe skin infections indicated by the formation of crusty scabs containing the microorganism. In alpacas, these lesions are most common on the back and wet, clumped wool may be found that is removable in clumps. The underlying skin is often reddened and weeping.

The bacterium exists in two forms:  filamentous and motile zoospores. The zoospore is resistant to heat and being dried out, and as it is in the dormant phase, it can survive in infected scabs for months. Transmission between animals is known to occur by direct contact, but contaminated environments may also be an indirect means.

Veterinary consultation is essential as the treatment will include antibiotics. Fortunately, the bacterium is sensitive to a wide range. Povidone iodine shampoos or chlorhexidine solutions are also useful in clearing up the disease.

Ulcerative Pododermatitis

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.

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.

Constipation (Faecal Impaction)

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.

Tuberculosis (Tb)

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. It can affect a wide range of animals, but cattle and deer are most at risk of contracting the disease. The usual route of Tb infection is through the inhalation of droplets expelled from the lungs of an infected vector.

Johne’s Disease (ParaTB)

Johne’s Disease is one of global significance. From an economic loss standpoint, it is prominent among rumunant species, cattle, sheep, deer and goats with many herds having infected animals. Furthermore, the range of species that can be infected can be illustrated by a review of published data on affected zoo animal species, 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 a slow process due to the slow growth rate of the organism. There is currently no treatment for Johne’s disease.