Date of Publication:
May 2014

Publication:
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of University of Minnesota

Excerpt:
These unique animals have become more popular in the last several decades and their monetary value has been high. Meanwhile their owners have struggled to find veterinarians with sufficient knowledge of camelid medical problems.

Read the rest of the article: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1023.6473&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Date of Publication:
March 2016

Publication:
Flock & Herd

Excerpt:
Although not the subject of this article, for long term herd health it is important that the following fundamental elements are in place: Good nutrition and husbandry, protection from extremes of weather, parasite control strategies and genetic selection for health (e.g. fertility, adequate milk production, good cria growth rates, freedom from genetic disease, avoidance of excessive in-breeding, etc), not just selection for fleece characteristics and the show ring.

Read the rest of the article: http://www.flockandherd.net.au/other/reader/diseases-of-alpacas.html

Date of Publication:
2008

Publication:
Australian Alpaca Association Limited

Excerpt:
Alpacas are susceptible to cattle, goat and sheep worms, however the four most likely to cause problems with alpaca are:
Barber’s Pole Worm (Haemonchus contortus) up to 10,000 eggs per day
Small Brown Stomach Worm (Ostertagia ostertagi) 100-200 eggs per day
Black Scour Worm (Trichostrongylus spp) 100-200 eggs per day
Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica) 20,000-50,000 eggs per day

The eggs are passed out in the faeces and can remain in the paddock for long periods, until warm moist conditions are present and they begin to hatch into infective larvae. Alpacas with a worm burden can be passing eggs in their faeces over winter with the eggs not hatching due to the cold, only to have millions of eggs begin hatching when the warm spring days arrive. This sudden arrival in the paddock of millions of larvae can result in sudden and severe worm infestations with severe consequences.

Read the rest of the article:   alpaca_fact_sheet_11_worms_sep_2013.pdf

Date of Publication:
2008

Publication:
Australian Alpaca Association Limited

Excerpt:
The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is endemic along the east coast of Australia and is responsible for thousands of livestock deaths each year and, regrettably, the alpaca is no exception. The ‘tick season’ varies from one region to another and may start as early as June/July but in some areas has been known to be active all year round. No matter what area you are in, always check with the local veterinarian as to the initial emergence of ticks – the day the first dog arrives in the surgery with tick paralysis usually heralds the start of the ‘tick season’.

Read the rest of the article:   alpaca_fact_sheet_8_ticks_sep_2013.pdf