- I know the M word causes even more discussions than the weather, but it's back to talking about mites. We have been fairly fortunate not to have had any excessive reactions to mites within the herd, however the tell tale evidence of hair loss and dry skin around the feet of one or two of the herd, means that they are there alright. We have tried all the usual systemic and topical treatments in the past. Most work to a varying extent but they are both time consuming and expensive. more »
- Scabies is a skin infection that occurs in many animal species and in humans. Its cause is the scabies mite, a parasite 0.5 mm long that lives in the skin. Although scabies can be treated successfully, it is important to recognise it early; prevention, of course, is best. more »
- One of the most vital things alpaca owners can do is learn the basics of a physical exam. This ensures that one can have a precise conversation with a veterinarian while discussing the care of the animal. These skills are not meant to replace a veterinary exam but help one have a discussion about what may warrant a visit or what may be managed over the phone. more »
- One morning I noticed a crust on one of my female’s nose. It was pretty muddy so I figured it was caked on mud more than anything else. A couple of days later I looked at her nose again. Nope, it wasn’t mud but a really thick scab. Thinking maybe she got a cut I put anti bacterial ointment on it and turned her back out. A day or 2 later I looked at her again. Now both sides of her nose had crusty scabs. Now I know it wasn’t a cut and was something else so I read up on skin problems in alpacas. She ended up fitting the bill for Munge: Nasal Nyperkeratoxic Dermatitis and is common in alpacas under the age of 2. more »
- It is important to note that currently available ivermectin injectables and topicals do not work well in these species as the physiological makeup of their skin is different than other ruminant/semiruminant species. Chorioptes bovis can be found on several species and all potential sources of infestation must be considered (cattle, horses, etc.). more »