Camelid Herd Health
AT BIRTH
Insure colostrum intake within 4 hours - check teats for patency and colostrum content. If supplemental colostrum is needed, use tested Bovine colostrum at 1 to 1.5 ounces per pound of body weight of cria within the first 24 hours. Feed 2 ounces per feeding. Can also feed plasma if colostrum is not available (90cc orally).
Recommend evaluation of colostrum absorption for all crias at 24 hours of age. (Blood test to check IgG.)
- Iodine navels with 7% tincture of iodine or Nolvasan Solution twice at birth and again in several hours.
- Monitor for production of first feces. Give enema if straining, or hasn’t passed feces with in first 4-6 hours.
- Give 0.5 cc BO-SE subcutaneously (SQ) if dam is not on a good mineral supplement.
- If dam was not previously vaccinated or if the cria fails to nurse, give 1cc Tetanus Antitoxin SQ and 3cc C&D Antitoxin SQ.
- Fall & winter babies should receive 1/2 cc Vitamin A&D SQ or intramuscularly (IM) at birth. Repeat during the winter based on Veterinarian recommendation.
- Veterinary examination of any weak babies.
- Monitor weight gain for the first 2 weeks.
3 MONTHS
- Covexin 8 vaccination (2cc subcutaneously) - This can be done as early as 30 days, particularly if cria failed to nurse.
- Booster vaccination, Covexin 8 (2cc subcutaneously) in approximately 4-6 weeks. Deworm if necessary at this time as per previous fecal exams.
- If vaccinating for West Nile Virus (WNV) start at 3 months old (1cc IM) and booster twice at 3-6 week intervals.
- Provide access to a balanced mineral mix at all times.
- Check for internal and external parasites.
- Check for normal bone development.
- Toenail trimming as needed.
YEARLINGS
- Coordinate yearly booster vaccinations (Covexin 8 and WNV) and deworming with rest of herd.
- Provide access to a balanced mineral mix at all times.
- Check for internal and external parasites. Deworm 2-4 times per year based on environment.
- Trim toenails as necessary.
FEMALES
- Yearly booster vaccination with Covexin 8 (2cc SQ). Time vaccination to be 6 to 8 weeks prior to parturition in breeding females to boost antibody levels in colostrum.
- Annual vaccination in late spring to early summer with WNV (1cc IM).
- If animal is a breeding female your veterinarian may add a Leptospirosis vaccination (2cc IM) every 6 months to your vaccination program depending on ranch location. Other possible vaccinations that might be added would be the E. coli vaccination and the Clostridium type A.
- Provide access to a balanced mineral mix at all times.
- Check for internal and external parasites, and deworm 2-4 times per year depending on your parasite load.
- Toenail care as necessary, and check for dental problems at least twice annually.
- Periodically body condition score on a scale of 1-5 (1=too thin, 5=too fat), and monitor weight. Feed according to requirements, and also consider animal’s pregnancy status.
FEMALES PREGNANCY EVALUATION
- Breed every other day for 5 days or until non-receptive.
- If receptive longer than 5 days, or not receptive at all - consult with veterinarian.
- Recheck for receptivity at 8 to 14 days post breeding. If non-receptive, recheck for receptivity again at 3 weeks post breeding.
- Ultrasound for pregnancy at 21 to 30 days. Reevaluate pregnancy status of all females at approximately 60 to 90 days of gestation. 90% of fetal wastage (abortion) occurs prior to 90 days.
- Check pregnant females for receptivity periodically. It is recommended that females get pregnancy checked by a veterinarian at 90 days, 150 days, and again after 250 days to make sure fetal wastage has not occurred.
- Young females should reach approximately 2/3's of their projected adult weight prior to breeding. (approximatly 200# for llamas and 90# for alpacas.)
POSTPARTUM EXAM
- Veterinary examination of females 10 to 14 days postpartum for uterine tone, vaginal discharge or tears, and follicular development. (This is especially important for any animal that had a difficult or assisted birth, a history of breeding problems, or whose baby failed to nurse the dam.)
MALES
SPRING:
Yearly booster vaccination of Covexin 8 (2cc subcutaneously) and WNV (1cc IM).
Provide access to a balanced mineral mix at all times.
- Deworm 2-4 times annually, or as indicated by spot fecal exams.
- Check for external parasites.
- Trim toenails as necessary.
- Check fighting teeth, etc.
- Examine reproductive tracts and fertility as necessary.
FALL
Deworm and check for external parasites.
Repeat above as necessary.
GENERAL HERD INFORMATION
We recommend all camelids have continuous access to our Custom Llama Mineral or #2 Mineral Mix. This mineral is designed to be fed with pasture, or hay. Other mixes are available to compliment other forages or medical problems. Additional supplementation is generally not needed or recommended.
Vaccination recommendations are subject to change. We try to keep you updated. At this time we are not seeing leptospirosis, E. coli, Clostridiom type A, or equine herpesvirus as a problem in camelids in this area.
In most cases deworming two to three times annually provides adequate control. Under conditions of increased contamination greater frequency may be needed. Check with your veterinarian concerning dosages for llamas or alpacas because they often are different from the indicated species on the label. In general Ivomec Plus is dosed at 1cc/70 pounds SQ, and liquid Panacur is dosed at 9cc/100 pounds orally.
We've had several very hot summers and have seen reduced fertility (particularly male) in the latter part of summer and into the early fall. We recommend shearing all of your animals annually in the late spring.
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