Medicating alpacas can be a very frustrating experience for the new owner. At all times we are reminded that alpacas consider themselves PREY and any attempt to get closer than three feet when a feed bucket is not around, is grounds for an invasion of their personal space! When they are sick, again there is no desire to co-operate and any pain being experienced by the animal is not obvious - they are great stoics. For the purpose of thi discourse I will focus on specific types of medication and the best techniques i have found for delivery. I will NOT get into dosage as this guidance must come from your personal Vet as it varies from case to case and I do not claim to be a Vet. |
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| Temperature check - the anticipated temperature range for a healthy alpaca is in the range of 99°F to 102°F. Lower is as much a cause foe concern as is a high temperature. Anything lower than 95°F is considered a near death experience. A temperature of 103- 104°F again is great cause for concern. |
| Here is a scenerio and the way it may be played out successfully - there are no Guarantees |
| Seeing an alpaca kushed but with their neck stretched out in front of them is a danger sign... Always walk over and check to see that as you approach they voluntarily get up and move on. If they do not you could well have a problem. Locate that standard thermometer that you know to be calibrated (hint) and make sure there is a little KY jelly on it as you insert it into the anus. The chances are that if they do not resist at all they have an infection and this will be supported by a temperature reading outside the norm. It can be high or low and either direction is a course for concern. The next thing to do is isolate the alpaca and ensure that it has adequate feed and water available. If after a couple of hours one sees no improvement take the temp.again and refer to Norm Evans' field manual for other suggestions |
| This is a work in progress... bear with me!! - MSS |