AlpacaConnect

The alpaca breeder's idea of type is created by their visual picture of the characteristics that are considered ideal for the breed. An ideal breed type is often based on the details of conformation and color that are not necessarily related to the economic productivity of the animals. In alpacas, examples of this might include the exotic colors or patterns, fleece coverage on the face or legs, eye color, pigmentation, or a particular style of lock or crimp.

Breeders pay attention to breed type mainly because it is, in a sense, a trademark offering additional evidence that the animal in question conforms to the ideals of the breed. For example, Don Julio Barreda says that "the heads of Accoyo's alpacas are my trademark." Breed type is a matter of beauty to the breeders who have long been breeding and admiring a particular breed. But beauty is subjective. Most of us can bring ourselves to think that any particular type is beautiful if we work with it long enough, have our money invested in it, and find it profitable. The breeders of other breeds may not share our enthusiasm for alpacas, but that will never diminish our devotion to the beauty of our animals.

Breed type often originates unconsciously with breeders who embrace the traditional animal or their perception of the ancient purity of a breed. It is easy for breeders to persuade themselves that the best animals of the alpaca breed with the purest blood are thus and so, and to believe that any deviations from that description indicate impurity. This happened, to a certain extent, in the U.S. alpaca industry with the introduction of Peruvian imports, which come primarily from a select few alpaca co-ops and ranches in Peru.

 

WHY IS BREED TYPE IMPORTANT?

 Breeders pay attention to outward appearance or type in making their selections for two reasons. First, the breeder may want to breed a certain type because it has a market value. If a market demand exists for a certain type, the breeder may not care whether that type really will furnish the maximum production profit. The fact that the buying public wants it and is willing to pay for it is the thing of immediate practical importance. Second, breeders may believe that type and productiveness, in fleece or breeding, are closely correlated: if they select for type, they will get productivity. Type has some sale value in all classes of livestock. In extreme cases, beauty may be the main object. This is often encountered in pet and fancy stock, such as dogs, and is an important feature of horses. If breeders' customers center their demand on type, breeding for productivity becomes secondary. If breeders' customers are looking for productivity, breeders may only be interested in type if it helps them achieve productivity. 

THE IDEAL ALPACA

 Everyone would like to buy, breed, and sell perfect alpacas. To do that, we must first have a vivid picture of "perfect" in our mind's eye. The ideal alpaca will always be a goal that moves away as we come near. That is the way animal breeding is; founded in evolution.

First and foremost, an alpaca is a production animal. The product it creates is fleece. An alpaca's ultimate value flows from its ability to create fine, dense fleece that is coveted by the makers of luxury garments.

It also so happens that the fleece characteristics which make an alpaca valuable are heritable. When mated properly, alpacas pass these fleece traits on to their offspring. At the end of the day, the ideal alpaca produces an elite fleece and quality cria with high breeding value. I found the following quote in the classic sheep breeding text from Australia, The Merino Past, Present and Probable, 1943, by H.B. Austin:

"If the sheepbreeder, then, goes to his woolbroker for advice; distrusts, on principle, all stud 'sales talk' and other propaganda; heeds the scientist; endeavors to buy rams that will breed truly, and feeds his sheep properly, the increased profit collectively, to the whole industry, may well be 'hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.'"

If you simply substitute the word "alpaca" for "sheep" or "merino," you will begin to see what it takes to create the ideal alpaca. In other words, avoid the hype, use genetically sound selection and breeding systems, always use impact herd sires, and feed your herd correctly. 

THE IDEAL ALPACA: Suri and Huacaya

An ideal alpaca's look begins with the head, a dense top knot, and well-covered cheeks converging with the wool cap to form a close V at the eyes, which are brown. The ears are shaped like an arrowhead and erect. The muzzle is soft and wedge shaped. The jaw should fit together correctly, with the lower incisors meeting the upper dental pad. The head and neck make up about one-third of an alpaca's height, the body makes up one-third, as do the legs. The neck connects to the shoulder at approximately a 45° angle to the back, which is straight, dropping off a bit at the tail. When the alpaca is alert, the neck and back form almost a 90° angle with the head slightly forward. The perfect alpaca has a squared off appearance, with four strong legs setting squarely under it, giving it a graceful stance which translates into a fluid gait. The ideal alpaca has a soft, dense fleece, which is completed with abundant coverage down the legs.

The alpaca's head is a window into its quality and type: both huacaya and suri. The head of the ideal suri should exhibit well-covered cheeks and a bearded chin. The suri's fleece should begin independently locking at the forehead and continue uniformly down the neck, across the body and down the legs, finishing at the toes. The head of the ideal huacaya should exhibit a dense top knot which is crimpy. The cheeks should be well covered, and the bridge of the nose, clean. The crimp in the top knot should continue down the neck, across the blanket, and into the tail, finishing down the belly and legs.

The stars of any herd will catch your eye with an alert, erect appearance. Their fleece opens into well-organized locks or staples of soft, bright, and lustrous fleece, which handles like silk or cashmere. Above all, an ideal alpaca will never be mistaken for a llama. 

THE IDEAL SURI FLEECE

The primary characteristic which distinguishes a suri from a huacaya is the phenotype of its fleece. The suri's fleece falls close to the body, moves freely, and gives the animal a lustrous, flat-sided appearance. The luster found in the suri's fleece is the primary indication of the animal's quality. In addition, the fiber should be fine, and have good handle (a more slippery handle than huacaya) with a well-nourished, almost greasy feel. The locks or ringlets that make up the fleece should be round, form close to the skin, and have uniform twist to the end. Ideally, the style of lock should be uniform from the top knot to the hock; particular attention should be paid to uniformity and independence of lock across the mid side. The legs and underbelly should be well covered.

A more rounded or fluffy appearance can indicate volume rather than density in a suri's fleece which is undesirable. There should be no crimp in the staple, but a low wave is desirable along the length of an individual fiber. Due to the compactness of the fleece, suris often give the appearance of being smaller than the huacaya, but this is an optical illusion. The suri should be every bit as big and robust as a huacaya. Think of the ideal suri as producing a curtain of silk to grace its sturdy frame. Suri alpaca fiber is woven into cloth and made into coats or jackets that exhibit a warm, luxurious luster.

The suri's locks should have a well-defined architecture, which relates to the degree of twist or curl and the solidity in the lock. Locks should be compact, independent (swinging out freely from the skin when the animal is in motion or the fleece disturbed), uniform, and start close to the skin. Locks may be twisted, curled, or penciled and should start from the forelock and continue through to the hocks. Spirals in the locks may twist from either left or right. Locks can be with or without a wave which should not be confused with crimp, which is a fault. A suri, when compared to a huacaya of similar age and fiber micron size will have a longer lock (staple in huacaya) in the fleece. The locks should hang straight and hug the body, giving a curtain like appearance. When the fleece is opened, the inside locks should be as well-formed as the outside layer and exhibit luster at their base. 

THE IDEAL HUACAYA FLEECE

 The ideal huacaya's fleece should be: fine, dense, uniform, and grow perpendicular to the skin. The fleece, which grows from individual follicles in the skin, should be made up of defined staples of crimpy "bundled" fleece. These bundles should organize themselves into staples which create a dense presentation across the animal. The huacaya alpaca should be well covered with a soft, uniform fleece, except on the ears and the bridge of the nose of mature animals. The muzzle and ears should be soft to the touch. The elite alpaca has a well-defined crimp in their top knot, which continues down the neck, into the blanket the belly, and on to the tail. There should be very little medulation. The fleece should be well-nourished, exhibit a brightness or sheen, and be void of dull, dry, chalky fiber. The ideal huacaya will produce fleece as soft and as fine as cashmere. Huacaya alpaca is spun into luxury garments that can be worn close to the skin.

Study the pictures of the suri and huacaya alpacas that appear in this journal. Examine the pictures of their fleeces. Burn these images on your mind and make them part of your quest when you search for or work to breed the ideal alpaca. Always remember that an alpaca is valuable for both, its fleece and its ability to produce excellence in its progeny.

 

Source: The Ideal Alpaca Library, IAC Community

Before making the commitment of time and money in purchasing alpacas or llamas, please review the following points; you should be able to answer “YES” to all of these:

CAN YOU PROVIDE?
• Pasture: the general rule is (3-4) llamas per acre and (4-5) alpacas per acre, depending on condition of soil and quality of pasture

• Fencing: safe and secure fencing can be board, high-tensile wire, field fence or the like; barbed wire is not necessary as alpacas and llamas are not “pushers” and it can damage fiber and cause injury

• Shelter: should be adequate for local conditions and allow the animals to get out of extreme weather

• Clean Drinking Water: this is an absolute
necessity at all times

• Protection: from predators such asroaming dogs

DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO?
• Good quality hay: alpacas and llamas donot require a high protein hay in mostcases (pregnant or lactating moms being some of the few exceptions)

• Safe Transportation: alpacas and llamas can be transported in stock and horse trailers, and even in vans. They will usually lie down (“kush”) while transporting and should not be tied

• Access to Veterinary Care: while alpacas and llamas are generally hardy animals, access to a veterinarian with large animal experience (preferably alpaca or llama) or
one willing to learn, is very helpful in those situations where veterinary intervention is necessary.

• Annual Shearing: these animals do require annual shearing, usually in spring; it is a health issue as they are susceptible to heat stress. Either hand/electric clippers
  may be used. You can easily learn to do this yourself or there are a number of owners/breeders who will do this for a fee.

IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” TO THESE QUESTIONS….

PLEASE “DO”:
• Provide the right mineral mix; speak to your veterinarian or other camelid owners in your area

• Provide fans for summer heat and humidity relief
• Trim toenails as needed

• Provide properly-fitted alpaca or llama halters and use only when working with the animals

• Talk to experienced breeders or a
veterinarian about breeding and birthing

• Join an alpaca or llama organization to learn more and keep up to date; there are numerous local and regional groups as well as national registries and show associations

PLEASE “DON’T”….
• Have only one alpaca or llama; they need
  a ‘buddy’, preferably one of their own kind
• Leave halters on
• Keep them tied up
• Keep them locked in a stall or small space
• Keep an intact male with female(s)
• Breed alpacas or llamas in hot weather
• Tie during transport
• Bottle-feed an alpaca or llama unless it is a
  medical necessity

HEALTH AND MAINTENANCE….
• Find a local vet with alpaca or llama experience or a willingness to learn

• Talk to your vet about the recommended vaccinations and de-worming for your area

• Dietary requirements are simple: hay or pasture plus a mineral mix are often all that are necessary

• Pregnant or nursing moms and babies need more supplementation

• Alpacas and llamas will eat many types of plants, so talk to your vet or extension agent about plants poisonous to alpacas and llamas

Download at:
http://www.icinfo.org/media/Basics%20Of%20Care%20Brochure%20(Rev10-08).pdf

 

Llamas and alpacas are domesticated South American members of the camelid family. These animals differ significantly from other species. Beyond the minimums required to sustain any life, the specifications for their care are unique. Llamas and alpacas can thrive in a wide range of environments, from ranches with vast open ranges to small suburban properties, and in almost every type of climate and geography. Some live in dry lot conditions and exist entirely on nutrition provided by their owners, while others live on properties with abundant pasture. These animals thrive in an environment where the relationship with humans and other animals is peaceful, basic security is provided, and life activities that fit their nature are included. With proper care from responsible stewards, alpacas and llamas typically enjoy good health, with an average lifespan of 15-to 20+-years.

This document was prepared by a committee of experienced llama and alpaca owners, and reviewed by veterinarians and representatives of various recognized llama and alpaca organizations. It contains recommended practices based on up-to-date scientific knowledge and community-wide husbandry expertise. It is intended as an educational foundation for recommended camelid care and, as such, to provide the basis for continuity and consistency in that care.

In addition to the general practice recommendations, region-specific conditions may exist, necessitating additional or differing measures in those locales to ensure the health and well-being of the animals. Where available, a camelid-experienced veterinarian should be consulted for local or regional needs. Additionally, consider joining one or more llama and/or alpaca organizations for continuing education, networking and local owner support. The references provided at the end of this document give more detailed and extensive coverage for various aspects of camelid care.

All animals deserve the best possible environment in which to thrive. There are many “right” ways to assure this. The purpose of Recommended Practices is to provide basic and important information on providing that environment for llamas and alpacas, beyond minimum requirements. Each camelid caregiver will have his or her practices to assure animal well-being, based on knowledge of the herd individuals, as well as sound husbandry.

Minimum Standards of Care for Llamas and Alpacas, a separate reference for officials responsible for assessment and intervention in cases of abuse, neglect or serious mismanagement, is endorsed as the uniform tool for judging that absolute minimal care is being provided .

NUTRITION

   1. Provide continuous access to potable water. The animals should not be required to break through ice or eat snow for their water. In extreme heat, water that is cool to the touch encourages consumption and helps avoid dehydration. In extreme cold, lukewarm water does the same.

   2. Provide daily access to quality, mold-free hay and/or nutritious pasture. In general for adult maintenance, total feed should contain 10-12% crude protein, dry matter basis, offered at the rate of 1.5% - 3% of body weight. Growing youngsters and late term pregnant or early lactating females may need 12-16% crude protein, dry matter basis. This may be obtained by using forage with higher protein content and/or a high-protein supplement. Because of subtle differences, llamas require the lower levels of protein while alpacas’ requirements are higher. However, individual animals can require more or less feed. Use Body Condition Scoring (BCS) (see page 4) and consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist to determine individual needs.

   3. If not pre-mixed into a supplemental feed being offered, provide free choice access to minerals appropriate for the species and the region. (A loose form is preferred.) Take any known mineral toxicities into consideration (e.g., copper, selenium).

   4. Feed a cria that requires human intervention by utilizing a feeding tube or bottle regimen that minimizes human bonding. Supplemental feeding by humans should be done only when medically necessary and the cria should continue to reside with its mother and/or the herd to ensure appropriate behavioral development. Inappropriate animal-human bonding may result in severe behavior problems.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

   1. Provide natural or man-made shelter with sufficient ventilation and space to allow each llama and alpaca to find relief from environ-mental conditions (e.g., extreme cold, heat, humidity, precipitation, wind chill, waterlogged ground/standing water during periods of wet weather).

   2. Provide a heating source or cooling measures when temperatures reach extremes, whether at home or traveling. Heat stress (hyperthermia) and hypothermia are life-threatening conditions. (See Safekeeping section for more information.)

   3. In enclosed areas, manure should be routinely disposed of, mud prevented, and any urine build-up treated to prevent parasite problems and disease.
   4. Provide fencing of sufficient height and strength to safely contain alpacas and llamas in designated areas. Fencing design should prevent animals from becoming entangled. Barbed wire is not recommended.
   5. House only the number of animals per enclosure that allows free and independent movement of each animal when not at work with a human, as well as the ability to exercise each day. Space requirements for llamas are generally greater than those for alpacas. Physical location and conditions (i.e., terrain, vegetation, availability of pasture, etc.), as well as herd composition (males, weanlings, females, etc.) will dictate the appropriate number of animals that can live within a defined area. Also, know your local zoning laws.

   6. Llamas and alpacas are browsing and grazing animals. Where possible, provide them the opportunity to browse and graze daily.

   7. In temporary situations such as at shows, or in case of health problems, llamas and alpacas may be kept in small spaces for a limited period of time. For longer periods (e.g., animals that are in quarantine), they should be exercised each day.

SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

   1. Llamas and alpacas need to live in association with other herd animals, preferably at least one other llama or alpaca (unless a mature llama is serving as a guard llama). Without appropriate companionship, most will fail to thrive. Therefore, it is recommended that llamas and alpacas never live alone. A llama or alpaca should not be raised as a single baby away from any other camelids.

   2. Alpha or highly territorial males may need to be corralled separately, but should be within sight of other alpacas or llamas.

   3. Gelded llama males that do not exhibit breeding behavior or adult llama females can be used as single guardian animals with sheep, goats, alpacas, cattle or miniature horses. They cannot, however, successfully defend against such predators as cougar, bear, or dog packs without quick support from humans or guardian dogs.

   4. Crias should remain with their dams until at least four months of age. (Six months is recommended to promote normal behavior and to assure good nutrition (allow for maturation of the forestomach)). When deprived of this herd environment during their growth and development, they can develop severely abnormal ways of relating to humans at sexual maturity or earlier.

   5. Crias should never be sold as pets to be intentionally bottle-fed. Bottle-feeding should take place in a herd environment and only when medically necessary to ensure the health of the dam and/or the cria.

ROUTINE HUSBANDRY

   1. De-worm and vaccinate as needed in your locale to control parasite infection and disease. Seek guidance from knowledgeable local sources. Specific geographic areas are infested with meningeal worm, (P. tenuis) which can cause fatal damage to llamas and alpacas. Seek veterinary advice for preventive measures.
   2. Hands-on physical assessment of each animal should be done regularly, at least twice a year. This should include weighing and/or body scoring (See Fig. A), mucous membrane color check (inner eyelid or gums), condition of incisors, and fiber coat evaluation. Weight loss, body score changes, pale color, listlessness or clumped stool should be cause for a more detailed health assessment such as fecal analysis, veterinary exam, and blood analysis. Excess weight gain should prompt a review of diet and activity.

©Ingrid Asmus, Used by permission

   3. Trim toenails if growth threatens lameness or compromises sound-ness. (See Figure B)

   4. In warm to hot and especially humid climates, shear the fleece of most alpacas and thick or long fibered llamas every year. Animals with thin or slow-growing fiber may be shorn every other year. Animals with matted fleece should be shorn if prevention of heat stress or control of infestation by external parasites are issues in their environment.

   5. Geld non-breeder males no earlier than 12 months, with 18-24 months recommended. Most geldings may be safely penned with either males or females once sufficient time has passed after gelding to ensure infertility. (To be safe, about 2 months.)

   6. Do not breed animals with genetic defects or place them into situations where they can reproduce.

   7. Provide immediate veterinary care for an ill or injured alpaca or llama, including dental care if the animals’ ability to properly process food is compromised.

SAFE HANDLING

   1. Fit halters on llamas and alpacas so that the nosepiece allows for chewing, yet cannot slide down onto the soft cartilage of the nose and cut off breathing. Crown piece should be snug, holding the noseband in place. Improperly fitted halters can be life-threatening because, unlike some animals, camelids must breathe through their noses.

   2. Because they are often transported, train llamas and alpacas to halter, lead, and load into a transport vehicle. This will result in less stress and simplify transport activities.

   3. Avoid wrapping a lead rope around your hands or body in order to prevent serious injury in the event a llama or alpaca suddenly takes flight.

   4. Exercise great caution when transporting llamas and alpacas during extreme weather, either hot or cold. The transport vehicle must be well-ventilated, and it is essential to check for signs of heat stress (flared nostrils, lethargy) and/or hypothermia (shivering) at reason-able intervals, both while on the move and when parked.

   5. Leave llamas and alpacas untied during transport. Llamas and alpacas tied during transport can suffer severe injury or death. On rare occasions, it may be prudent to tie animals for safety, as when transporting in a vehicle they could jump out of (not recommended).

   6. Do not leave llamas or alpacas unattended in a livestock chute.

   7. Before packing with llamas, take time to learn the saddle system to be used, how to secure it without causing injuries, and how to balance and pack it with weight appropriate for the specific llama. Do not load a llama under the age of two years, and do not fully load a llama until it is well-trained, well-conditioned, and near physical maturity, usually reached at 4 years old.

   8. Select only alpacas or llamas that interact appropriately with people for use in making direct contact with the public. Props and settings should be safe for the animal, the handler and the public.

   9. Spitting is part of a highly sophisticated body language used by camelids to express displeasure, to establish and maintain social order in the herd, and to respond to a serious threat. Camelids accustomed to positive interaction with people will not normally spit at humans.
 

 

 

Llama Expressions

©Steven and Annie Segal, Used by permission

 

Fig E

 
 
SAFEKEEPING

   1. Never leave halters on unsupervised llamas or alpacas when they are released to their living environment.

 

   2. With proper halter fit, animals that have been trained for tethered grazing can usually be left unsupervised for short periods of time, such as while on a pack trip, but must not be left staked out full time.

 

   3. Intact males, if kept together, should normally be penned according to age, size, and disposition. Their behavior should be monitored to guard against excessive fighting. When fighting or intimidation threatens any individual llama or alpaca with malnutrition or serious injury, change the grouping.

 

   4. Examine the “fighting” teeth of group-housed males at least once per year and trim when needed to prevent injury to one another.

 

   5. Provide multiple feeding stations to ensure that passive animals have equal access to hay and to reduce possible conflict over food.

 

   6. Intact males, beginning at 6-8 months of age, should be kept separate from females of all ages. It is possible for a precocious male to impregnate a female. Exception: a stud kept with his females for breeding purposes.

 

   7. When introducing a female with a cria at her side to a stud for breeding, take care to ensure that the stud does not breed or injure the youngster.

 

   8. For the safety of other livestock, blunt the canine or “fighting teeth” of male llamas and alpacas as soon as they fully erupt through the gum line. This generally occurs after two years of age. Trim every 1-2 years until teeth no longer grow (7-8 years old).

 

   9. Llamas and alpacas must be safeguarded against eating poisonous plants or other dangerous materials, both at home and on the road-side or trail. Owners and caretakers of llamas and alpacas should make a point of becoming knowledgeable about the plants that are toxic or deadly poisonous.

 

  10. Camelids must never be used for human activities that will inevitably lead to the animal’s trauma and/or death, such as being hunted, used for roping practice, or used as live prey for “ranch” predators.

 

  11. The rare llama or alpaca that becomes completely unmanageable should be placed with an experienced rescue person or group, rather than given away or sold without disclosure of the problem.

 

  12. Hyperthermia (HEAT STRESS) and hypothermia are life-threatening conditions requiring immediate recognition and response, at home or while traveling.

 

    a. Initial and often subtle signs of heat stress are elevation of core temperature over 104 F (normal is 99.5- 101.5 F), heart rate over 80/minute (normal is 48-68 beats/minute), increased respiratory rate over 40/minute (normal is 10-30 breaths/minute), panting, flared nostrils, lethargy, decreased appetite, reddened skin, and swollen scrotum. Intervene with rapid cooling, using cool or cold water, on front of neck, legs, armpits, underbelly. groin and under tail. Do not wet topline. Also use shade, fans and cool drinking water. Important: Use a rectal thermometer to monitor core temperature of afflicted animal as treatment progresses, as well as to check temperatures of other animals in herd. Consult your veterinarian for assistance.

 

    Far more ominous signs of advanced heat stress are de-creased urination progressing to renal shutdown, open mouth breathing, trembling, weakness, abortion, decreased mental function, and convulsions. Death can follow quickly without immediate veterinary intervention.

 

    NOTE: Heat stress risk is higher in (but not limited to) humid areas. Factors such as obesity, heavily matted fiber, age (old or very young), illness and strenuous exercise add to the risk in any region. When it is hot, check your animals carefully!

 

    b. Hypothermia can occur when temperatures dip to extremes. Wind and wet weather, combined with low temperatures, greatly increase the danger of hypothermia. Most at risk are newborns, who have minimal insulation and poor thermo-regulation, and the very old, very thin or light-fibered animal. Signs include decreased body temperature, shivering, de-creased heart rate, depression and, in extreme cases, slow and shallow breathing. Intervention includes providing deep straw bedding in a dry shelter with protection from wind, blankets, coats, hair dryers to warm wet exposed areas such as ears, lukewarm drinking water and close proximity to the warmth of other animals. Warm water enemas may be helpful in severe cases. Alpacas and llamas may need extra calories from supplements (e.g., corn) in very cold weather, but use in moderation to prevent acidosis.

 

    Shearing the fiber in early springtime, ahead of severe heat, is a preventive for heat stress and also gives time for adequate fiber to grow for winter warmth.

 

    

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Books

 

Caring for Llamas and Alpacas, A Health and Management Guide, Clare Hoffman, DVM & Ingrid Asmus; Rocky Mountain Llama and Alpaca Association c/o Janice Adamcyk, 39420 Olson Court, Kiowa, CO 80117-9604, (303) 621-2960; 2nd Edition 1998.

 

Llama and Alpaca Neonatal Care; Bradford B. Smith, DVM, PhD, Karen I. Timm, DVM, PhD, Patrick O. Long, DVM. www.bixbypress.com, 1996.

 

Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids, Murray E. Fowler, DVM; Blackwell Publishing, 2121 South State Ave., Ames, Iowa 50014-8300 (515) 292-0140, 2nd Edition 1998.

 

 

 

The Complete Alpaca Book, Eric Hoffman, Bonny Doon Press, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-8649, bonniedoonpress@bonnydoonalpacas.org, 2003

 

Pamphlets and Periodicals

 

Alpacas Magazine & OneVoice

 

5000 Linbar Drive Suite 297, Nashville, TN 37211

 

(615) 834-4195 www.AlpacaInfo.com

 

American Livestock Magazine

 

PO Box 578 Gatesville,TX 76528

 

(888) 439-2748

 

Backcountry Llama

 

2857 Rose Valley Loop Kelso, WA 98626

 

(360) 425-6495 llamapacker@kalama.com

 

 

 

ILR Educational Pamphlets: Obtain from www.lamaregistry.com

 

PO Box 8, Kalispell, MT 59903

 

(406) 755-3438

 

International Camelid Quarterly

 

Rysko Pearson Productions 70 MacEwan Ridge Pl. NW Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3K 3MI

 

(403) 275-5170 cq@llamas-alpacas.com

 

Lamalink.com

 

470 Riverside Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

 

(406) 755-5473 www.lamalink.com

 

Llama Banner

 

P.O. Box 1968, Manhattan, KS 66505

 

(785) 537-0320 info@llamabanner.com

 

Llama Life II

 

5232 Blenheim Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902

 

(434) 286-2288 LlamaLife2@aol.com

 

 

 

Teaching Programs at Schools of Veterinary Medicine

 

Colorado State University Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital

 

(970) 297-4471

 

www.cvmbs.colostate.edu

 

Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

 

(614) 292-6661

 

www.vet.ohio-state.edu

 

 

 

Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine

 

(541) 737-2858

 

www.vet.orst.edu

 

Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

 

(508) 839-7926

 

www.vet.tufts.edu

 

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine

 

(509) 335-0741

 

www.vetmed.wsu.edu

Websites of Organizations

 

 

www.alpacainfo.com Alpaca Owners & Breeders Assn. Inc. (AOBA)

 

www.galaonline.org Greater Appalachian Llama & Alpaca Assn. (GALA)

 

www.icinfo.org International Camelid Initiative

 

www.l-a-m-a-s.org Lama Association of Middle Atlantic States (LAMAS)

 

www.llamainfo.org Llama Association of North America (LANA)

 

www.rmla.com Rocky Mountain Llama Association (RMLA)

Registries

 

 

www.alpacaregistry.com Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) (402)437-8484

 

www.lamaregistry.com International Lama Registry (ILR) (406)755-3438

Acknowledgements

These Recommended Practices were developed by the Standards of Care Committees charged by Camelid Community with writing and gaining broad-based consensus on those practices. They are based on detailed input from a wide range of llama and alpaca owners, breeders, academics and veterinarians from across North America who offered suggestions as part of extensive outreach.

 

Support for the project has come in various forms – responses to questionnaires, donations of seed money, research, writing, editing, discussion, donated graphic arts and production, and veterinarian and legal document review. To all those who participated in the development of this document, the Standards of Care Committees, which became the Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group, extend a sincere thank you.

 

Appreciation is extended to the following individuals, who have made special contributions in their areas of expertise.

 

David E. Anderson, DVM, MS, DACVS, (OH); Karen Baum, DVM, (VA); Patrick Long, DVM, (OR); Leah & Allan Dewald, MD, (SD); Bob Mallicoat, JD, (CA); Murray Fowler, DVM, (CA); Ty McConnell, DVM, (CA); Nancy Irlbeck, Ph.D., (CO); Jeanne Rankin, DVM, (MT); Michelle Kutzler, DVM Ph.D., (OR); Cheryl Tillman, DVM, (OR).

 

Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group members are: Joyce Abrams (OR) and Hilary Ware (ME), co-chairs; Alvin Bean (NC); Dave Belt (Canada); Ruth Epstein-Baak, Ph.D. (CA); Barbara Greer (MO); Julie Ann Jarvinen, DVM, Ph.D. (IA); Judy Morgenstern (NJ); Teri Nilson-Baird (CO); Sherry Sheridan (OR); Norma Stevens (CA); Debby Ullrich (CA); Marsharee Wilcox (MD)

 

This document may be reproduced without permission, in its entirety only, as long as the copyright citation is included.

 

©2005, Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group

Alpaca are susceptible to both cattle and sheep internal parasites including liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica). Because of their use of dunging “latrines” this helps to control roundworm parasites, and worm burdens are not usually of pathogenic (disease-causing) proportions. Occasional heavy Haemonchus (barber’s pole worm) burdens are reported, especially in high rainfall coastal areas. Other types include black scour worm (Trichostrongylus) and small brown stomach worm (Ostertagia also known as Teladorsagia)

Worms in alpaca - what to do?

How do you decide if your alpaca have worms or if they need to be drenched? Do you drench them when you think they might need to be drenched?  Or do you treat them because you know they have worms?  Are you drenching too often, thus wasting money and increasing the likelihood of resistance to drenches developing?

Visual appraisal of animals is a notoriously unreliable way of assessing worm burdens. This is especially so in alpaca where the fleece can hide their true body condition. By the time animals ‘look wormy’; they can already have a serious worm problem.  Be aware also that ‘a wormy appearance’ (diarrhoea, pallor of eye membranes, ill thrift, poor exercise tolerance) can be due to causes other than worms. 

WormTest can help you find out if your alpaca have worms or not.

WormTest - What is it?

WormTest is used to monitor internal parasites of alpacas as well as cattle, sheep or goats. Worm egg and fluke egg counts are done on dung samples submitted to the laboratory in a WormTest Kit.  Egg count results are faxed or mailed to farmers within 24 hours of the samples arriving at the laboratory.

The type of worms present can also be identified.  This requires culturing worm eggs and examining the larvae which hatch, so a further 10 days is required for the result. 

WormTest kits -Availability and Cost

WormTest faecal collection kits are free and available from Rural Lands Protection Boards, stock and station agents and NSW Agriculture.  Private laboratories also provide a similar service.

Prices for laboratory testing vary according to the tests required. Call your laboratory for current charges. (See below for contact details).
 
Sample collection and using the kit

To collect dung samples muster a number of the mob to a clean corner of a paddock for 10 minutes and then let them drift away quietly. Younger animals are often an important group to sample because they tend to be more susceptible to worms. Fresh, clean dung samples can then be collected from the ground, avoiding soil.  Alternatively, samples can be collected from the communal dung heap, but samples must be fresh and clean.  Animals used to being handled can be sampled direct from the rectum. (A glove is supplied in the WormTest kit).

Ten samples from separate alpaca are required and sufficient dung to fill each sample container in the WormTest kit should be collected.  Fewer animals than 10 can be sampled, but this is less economical and, in larger groups of alpaca, gives less information on the likely level of worm burdens in the rest of the group. Keep young animal samples separate or identify individual animals. Fill out the information sheet and post to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.  Keep samples cool but do not refrigerate. 

Where is the testing done?

WormTests are done at NSW Agriculture’s Veterinary Laboratories.  Other laboratories offer a similar service. Following are the contact details for some NSW laboratories:

NSW Agriculture Regional Veterinary Labs

www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/das-laboratory

“NATA accredited (to ISO 17025) and unsurpassed for breadth and quality of services”.

•    Camden/Menangle (at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute):    
                                tel (02) 4640 6327

•    Orange:                         tel (02) 6391 3858

•    Wollongbar:                         tel (02) 6626 1261

Some private laboratories

•    Veterinary Health Research, Armidale             tel (02) 6771 1358
www.vhr.com.au

•    New England Veterinary Centres, Armidale        tel (02) 6771 2022

Interpreting Worm Egg Counts

Results will be faxed or posted to you within 24 hours of samples being received by the laboratory, and a copy sent to your nominated veterinarian. Worm egg counts in alpaca are usually low (less than a few hundred eggs per gram faeces [epg]), and significantly less than values commonly found in sheep or cattle. Results should be discussed with your vet or animal health advisor to determine the need for any worm treatments.

Benefits of regular WormTesting
 
WormTest is good value for money:
•    It could save you the expense of unnecessary drenching.
•    WormTest can help forestall a disaster due to heavy worm infection.
•    The test can be used to check whether a drench is working, by collecting samples 10 - 14 days (longer for ‘long-acting’ drenches) after using a particular drench.
•    WormTest is a useful tool for monitoring your worm control program.

Don’t guess!  Worm Test!

Drenches for alpaca

There are no anthelmintics (drenches) registered for use in alpaca. This means the only way they can be used legally in NSW in these animals is under veterinary direction. See your vet for more information.

As to dose rates of drenches for alpacas, experts have varying opinions. Some state that cattle or sheep dose rates are effective. However, one authority from New Zealand suggests that sheep dose rates of  ivermectin for example, or oxfendazole (a benzimidazole (BZ) or ‘white’ drench), are unsuitable, and that ivermectin needs to be given at 1.5 times the sheep dose rate and oxfendazole at twice the sheep dose rate. Again, it is important to get advice from your vet.

‘Organic’ drenches

Organic drenches, for example plant-based remedies, have been used for many centuries in traditional agriculture in various parts of the world. There is increasing interest in these alternative methods of worm control in western agricultural systems. A difficulty is getting reliable information on the efficacy and safety of organic remedies as well as residues if any following their use.  Some of them doubtless have some efficacy, but in the absence of good data, animals should be carefully monitored.

Legal implications also need to be considered. Under the NSW Stock Medicines Act of 1989, the use of unregistered products or medicines in animals that produce food for human consumption or are used for human consumption is illegal. Permits for such products can and should be obtained, for example, by a producer organisation, from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (www.apvma.com.au).

However drenches registered for use in sheep, for example, can be used in alpaca under written veterinary direction.

Integrated parasite management (IPM)

As with other animals, integrated worm control is better than relying solely on frequent treatments, whether ‘synthetic’, ‘chemical’ or ‘organic’.

IPM involves having a number of ‘strings to your bow’. These include:

•    effective use of drenches. Use drenches no more than necessary, and be careful with your choice of drench. See your local vet.

•    grazing management. Set-stocked animals are more likely to get wormy. Move animals to fresh pasture from time to time. Although alpaca are susceptible to cattle (and sheep) worms, rotational grazing using adult cattle, for example, is likely to reduce exposure to worms.

Be especially careful of alpaca used as guardians for lambing-ewe flocks, as ewes can heavily contaminate the lambing paddock with worm eggs.

With respect to liver fluke, avoid grazing known ‘flukey’ areas in danger periods (eg dry autumns). Wet areas such as slow flowing streams and drainage ditches where the necessary vector aquatic snails live are potentially ‘flukey’ areas.

•    nutrition. Well-nourished animals generally tend to have stronger immunity and less worm problems.

•    “fine-tuning” Fine–tune your worm control program using tools such as regular worm egg count monitoring (WormTest) and testing of effectiveness of drenches. (Resistance of sheep worms to drenches is common). Get good advice, especially sound information relative to your local area.

Refer to the NSW Agriculture web site for further information on worms and drenches.
[www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/sheep-internal].

 

Stephen Love  , Veterinarian/State Coordinator-Internal Parasites, NSW Agriculture, Armidale.

Dr Gareth Hutchinson, Research Officer, Parasitology, NSW Agriculture, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden.