Diseases Known to Affect Alpacas - Vicugna pacos
Bacterial Infections and Plants that are Poisonous to the Alpaca
Oct 10, 2009
Alpacas belong to the same family as camels, Camelidae, and are closely related to llamas. Both are domesticated from South American Camelids, however llamas are used as pack animals and for their meat, where as, alpacas are bred for their fleece which is used in clothing as well as quilt fillings. Alpaca fleece is naturally warm and light and thus clothing made from this fleece is warm and light. Course fleece is used for car seat covers and carpets.
Alpacas are able to survive on low quality vegetation and water if necessary, however, from a breeding or owners point of view, the better quality of food available, the better the health of the animal. Current taxonomy of the Alpaca:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Camelidae
- Genes: Vicugna
- Species: V. pacos
Plants that are Poisonous to Alpacas
Alpacas are herbivorous grazers and eat grass, hay and plants and occasional supplements if required. Care should be taken, as many plants can be poisonous to alpacas as well as other lives stock, so fencing off gardens and ensuring that no trees hang over the fencing is crucial. Some of these poisonous plants include:
- Oleander
- Rhododendron
- Azaleas
- Aburnum
- Onions
- Amaranths
- Parsnips
- Cashews
- Hemlock
- Belladonna
See the poisionous plants list for more information and a full list of dangerous plants.
Diseases of the Alpaca
Alpacas don’t suffer from many diseases that affect other livestock, such as fly strike, because their fleece is dry and naturally clean, However they should be vaccinated twice yearly against diseases such as:
- Tetanus: a fatal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani causing stiffness and ‘lock-jaw’
- Pulpy kidney: caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and results in death of young livestock
- Black leg: fatal bacterial disease of young livestock, causing localized muscle inflammation followed by toxaemia (blood poisoning) and death.
- Black disease: an acute and highly fatal disease associated with liver fluke infestation
- Malignant oedema: acute and rapidly fatal wound caused by toxins produced by several clostridial (bacteria) organisms
- Leptospirosis: contagious bacterial (Leptospira) infection
- Sporidesmin: facial eczema caused by the toxins from the spores of a fungus
Vaccinations required will depend on geographical location, however most areas require alpacas to be vaccinated with a 5-in-1 vaccine. Owners and breeders should check with their local agricultural authority or veterinarian. If running alpacas with other livestock, there is a risk of them catching parasites so drenching (worming) may be required.
Although alpacas get along well with most animals, when running alpacas with horses or cattle, care should be taken as the alpacas may suffer from kicks from the other livestock. They should also be fenced in securely to avoid roaming dog attacks.
You may also like to read Running and Breeding Alpacas for Fleece.
For more information about alpacas visit the Australian Alpaca Association webpages.
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