• Farm visits or consultations at our hospitals. 
• Reproduction. Pregnancy ultrasound, and Obstetrics
• Cria deliveries and birthing problems, caesareans, prolapses, retained membranes
• AAA Male Certification
• Castrations and other surgical procedures
• Herd Health. Advice on vaccinations, parasite control and management. Disease investigations
• Accreditation Schemes. Alpaca Q andJohne’s MAPs (Market Assurance Programs)

• Vaccinations protect alpacas from preventable clostridial diseases such as pulpy kidney & tetanus. 
• Alpacas should be vaccinated at least twice yearly (coming into the spring & the autumn) with 5 in 1 vaccine. 
• Use the sheep dose. 
• In lush seasons, animals may need to be vaccinated every 10-12 weeks as protection from Pulpy Kidney only lasts a short period. 
• Crias are vaccinated at 6 – 8 weeks of age & then should receive at least two follow up boosters four & 8 weeks later.
• Adults previously unvaccinated should receive two doses one month apart.

EXTERNAL PARASITES

• Lice are most common in late Autumn & Winter & can be seen by parting the wool over the shoulders, back & rump. 
• Sarcoptic mange most commonly affects the perineum, groin region, under the belly & the armpits. 
• Chorioptic mange is less common & will usually affect limb extremities or the area at the base of the tail. 
• Diagnosis of mites can be confirmed with skin scrapings.

INTERNAL PARASITES

• Many internal parasites can affect camelids. 
• Cattle & sheep parasites can affect alpacas.
• Worm burdens will vary from farm to farm, dependent on stocking rates, age of animals (cria vs adults), climatic conditions & other stock being present. 
• Worm burdens can be quantified by collecting faecal samples from individual alpaca and having the Department of Agriculture perform a “Wormtest” at least once yearly. Special kits are available. This is best done prior to an anticipated drenching to ensure internal parasites are present. A second test can be done 10 days after drenching to check drench efficiency.
• Alpacas seem to be very susceptible to liver fluke and a fluke drench (such as fasinex) should be used in known fluke areas.
• At this stage the basic drenching recommended for sheep should be followed: Weaning drench, Pre birthing drench of expectant mothers, 1 month prior to birthing, Early summer drench ( late December )
• In many cases alpacas do not need drenching.

These vitamins help prevent rickets, limb deformities & joint pain especially in growing animals.

A general protocol for use is as follows:

Crias 

- Inject ½ - 1ml of Vit ADE per 25kgs

- Inject in April/May & again in early July

Adults

- Inject ½ - 1ml of Vit ADE per 25kgs

- Inject early July

A second injection may be needed in April if there has been a particularly dry Autumn

Camelids have unique feet having two digits with a soft leathery pad & nails. 

Depending on how hard the ground is, the nails can require frequent trimming – sometimes as often as every 6 weeks. The aim is to keep the nail level with the pad. Use a pair of sheep foot shears or secateurs for trimming.

• Males will develop fighting teeth (2 upper canines & 1 lower canine on each side) and usually erupt at 2-3 years.
• They are rare in females. 
• These are best cut off as they can inflict nasty injuries in other alpacas.