Author:
Education & Training Sub-Committee
Australian Alpaca Association Limited, Australia

Date of Publication:
2008

Publication:
Australian Alpaca Association Limited

Excerpt:
Alpacas have soft padded feet with two toenails on each foot and a soft leathery pad. Depending on the environment the toenails require regular attention at least three to four times a year and at shearing. However, nails will grow at different rates on different animals and in particular the toenails of lighter coloured animals seem to grow at a faster rate than the darker coloured animals. Nails left unattended can twist and deform the foot causing lameness, restriction of mobility and ability to move to graze, and ultimately weight loss.

Read the rest of the article: alpaca_fact_sheet_10_toenails_sep_2013.pdf