What sort of diseases do alpacas get?
Compared with other livestock, Alpacas are relatively disease free. Because of their dry fleece and naturally clean breech, fly strike is not an issue with Alpacas. They do not require mulesing or crutching. They are vaccinated twice yearly with the same “5 in 1” vaccine used for sheep and goats to protect against tetanus, pulpy kidney, black leg, black disease and malignant oedema. Likewise, Alpaca owners need to be aware if their animals are in a ‘sporidesmin’ area. Sporidesmin is a toxin in a fungus that causes facial eczema, which could be fatal. However, it is confined to specific geographic locations and is easily managed by not allowing animals to graze on affected pastures during warm and humid weather. In the past 10 years, there have been a handful of cases of Bovine Johne’s Disease (JD). Many breeders are taking part in the National JD M.A.P. (Market Assurance Program) which will provide assurance of their animals’ health status. Restrictions of animal movements may apply, p
Compared with other livestock, alpacas are relatively disease free. Alpacas do not, as a rule, suffer from fly strike as they have dry wool. They do not require mulesing or crutching. A ‘5 in 1’ vaccine, as used for sheep and goats, is used twice a year to protect your alpacas against tetanus, pulpy kidney, black leg, black disease and malignant oedema. When buying alpacas for breeding purposes it is advisable to arrange a veterinary check to ensure you are buying a healthy animal.
Compared with other livestock, alpacas are relatively disease free. Because of their dry fleece and naturally clean breech, fly strike is not an issue with alpacas. They do not require mulesing or crutching. They are vaccinated twice yearly with the same 5 in 1′ vaccine used for sheep and goats to protect against tetanus, pulpy kidney, black leg, black disease and malignant oedema. Some geographic locations also vaccinate against leptospirosis, so check with other experienced alpaca breeders in your area or with your local agricultural authority on its presence. Likewise, alpaca owners need to be aware if they are in a sporidesmin’ area. Sporidesmin is the toxin in a fungus that causes facial excema and can be fatal. However, it is confined to specific geographic locations and is easily managed by not allowing animals to graze on affected pastures during warm and humid weather. In the past 10 years, there have been a handful of cases of Johne’s Disease (JD). Many breeders are taking pa
