Animal Health

Coccidiosis is a parasitic infection of alpacas that can also be found in a wide variety of other animals such as cows, poultry, and dogs. The cause of the disease is the infestation of the intestines of the alpaca by a parasitic protozoan. Symptoms of coccidiosis in alpaca include dehydration and loss appetite. There can also be diarrhoea, possibly with blood in it. Medication is available for treatment of coccidiosis in alpaca. But good management techniques should also be introduced to prevent outbreaks. more »

A variety of parasites affect the gastrointestinal tract of New World camelids. Some of these are unique to camelids, but many also infest or infect ruminants, other domestic animals, cervids, or other wildlife as well. As a rule, parasitic infections are more associated with ill thrift than more specific and overt signs of GI disease, such as diarrhea or colic, but as such, they are among the most common causes of poor-doing in domestic camelids. Awareness of the importance of protozoal enteritis has been growing steadily. This is reflected both in the number of scientific publications, and the overall recognition that parasite control strategies must extend beyond anthelmintics. Also, once considered diseases of crias, certain protozoal enteritides are now widely recognized as important disorders of all ages of camelids. more »