Animal Health

Sera from more than 100 alpacas (Lama pacos) from the Peruvian southern sierra were examined for antibodies to 8 viruses known to infect other domestic animals. On the basis of these serologic findings and previously published serologic or clinical data, it is now known that the alpaca can be infected with the following viruses: parainfluenza-3, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpesvirus-1, bluetongue virus, border disease virus, influenza A virus, rotavirus, rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, and contagious ecthyma virus. more »

There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing a vigorous female cria up on long wobbly legs starting to explore her world. Her owner had called me about the birth and I arrived soon after to help greet her. So it was doubly heartbreaking to learn just a couple of weeks later, that the same beautiful animal suddenly sickened in front of her owner’s watchful eyes and, in spite of the best vet care possible, died within a few hours. more »

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is a Pestivirus classified into two genotypes, “Type 1” and “Type 2”, that infects domestic and wild ruminant herds world-wide. In addition to cattle, BVDV is also known to infect camelids and deer. Related viruses include hog cholera virus in swine and border disease in sheep. For cattle producers, the virus causes an estimated $2 billion per year in economic losses through decreased weight gains, decreased milk production, reproductive losses, and death. more »

A personal story of discovery and the potential cause of deaths in alpacas from BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) and the way it can travel from cattle to alpacas with devastating results – a breeders story from Canada. more »