Veterinary Care

Alpacas are generally healthy livestock, which helps keep veterinary costs relatively low. Most of our routine health care is done here on the farm.

During shearing, we take the opportunity to vaccinate the herd against clostridial diseases and tetanus (Tasvax) and treat for internal and external parasites with ivermectin, following our veterinarian’s recommendations.

Rabies vaccinations require a veterinarian to visit the farm, as they must administer the vaccine and keep the required records.

Alpacas generally give birth naturally without assistance. For the most part, routine care, observation, vaccinations, parasite control, and annual shearing are all they need to stay healthy and happy.

Accidents Happen

Even with good care and a safe environment, accidents can happen. When an alpaca needs veterinary treatment or surgery, we usually trailer them to the veterinarian, where they have a clean, controlled environment for treatment.

In our 20+ years of caring for alpacas, we’ve had only a handful of serious situations that required veterinary care, including a broken leg, a tooth extraction, and two eye removals.

To Call or Not to Call?

One of the hardest decisions when caring for alpacas is knowing when to call the veterinarian. Alpacas are very stoic animals and can hide signs of illness, making it difficult to tell how serious a problem may be.

Sometimes, rather than rushing straight to the vet, we take a wait-and-see approach, while keeping a close eye on the alpaca. We use a separate pen beside the main herd, so the alpaca can still see and hear its friends without being fully integrated with the herd. We provide extra food and, during the winter, a blanket if needed.

This is especially helpful with older alpacas, who may occasionally need a little extra care and attention. Of course, if there are signs of a serious problem or the alpaca is getting worse, veterinary care is needed.

A trip to the veterinarian and being separated from the herd is very stressful for them. Over time, you learn to know your animals and recognize when something just isn’t right.