Llamas and alpacas (part of the camelid family) are native to the high Andes mountains of South America. Camelids are unique animals that require special care and attention when raised outside their native habitat because they are not as well adapted to the local climate, pasture conditions, and farming practices of the United States compared to sheep, goats, and cattle. To ensure their health and well-being, certain adjustments must be made to accommodate their specific needs, from shelter and nutrition to handling and veterinary care. This guide will help you understand how to provide the best environment for these gentle, stoic animals as you welcome them into your farm or homestead!

DIET

Forage

Ideally, they should have access to a pasture for grazing. A combination of forage and supplemental hay (if needed, dependent on season or pasture type/size) should comprise at least 75% of their diet.

Grass Hay

Fresh, good-quality grass hay is essential for their nutrition. Timothy or orchard is commonly fed. Ensure the hay is free of mold, dust, insects, and contaminants.

Concentrates/Grain

While most alpacas and llamas get all the nutrients they need from hay and pasture, some may require additional grains or concentrates, especially if they are pregnant, nursing, growing, or geriatric. Concentrate should be no more than 25% of their overall diet.

Water

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

Trace Minerals

Provide loose trace minerals (they don’t digest the blocks well) specifically designed for alpacas and llamas. These minerals help prevent deficiencies, particularly with selenium and copper, which they need in small amounts but are toxic in excess.

BODY CONDITION SCORING

You should assess your llama or alpaca’s body condition monthly and make a record of it. You want to put your hands on the animal because fiber can hide weight loss; just visually looking at them will not be accurate. You want to feel along the top of their back, towards their back-end midway between the middle of their back and their butt. Feel their spine and feel the flesh on either side of it.

Ideal Body Condition (3 / 5)

**Body Condition Scoring**
*Image courtesy of Australia Alpaca Association*

You want their muscle to form an upside-down “V” from the top of the spine down the back (see diagram). If the shape is a straight “V” or slightly bulging, this is considered a good body condition score (score of a 5 or 6 out of 9).

Thin Body Condition ( ≤ 2 / 5 )

If the sides of the “V” collapse in, then your animal is too thin (score of 4 or less out of 9). There are many potential causes for this, such as internal parasites, dental disease, systemic diseases (both infectious and non-infectious causes), liver disease, kidney disease, or cancer. Consult your veterinarian if you find your animal is unable to maintain an ideal body condition.

Over-Conditioned ( ≥ 4 / 5)

If the V is bulging or flat across the top, then your animal is overweight. Obesity can lead to joint pain, metabolic diseases, and heat intolerance so it is imperative for their health that you get them back to an ideal weight by reducing their overall feed intake. This may mean reducing the provided hay or keeping them on dry lot instead of pasture for a period of the day.

FOOT CARE

Llamas and alpacas need their toes trimmed regularly to ensure they stay healthy and comfortable.

Here are some signs that your llama may need a toe trim:

**Overgrown Toes**
*Image courtesy of Shag Bark Ridge*

Overgrown Toenails
Limping or Favoring a Foot:
Cracking or Splitting
Abnormal Walking Posture
Change in Behavior

If you're unsure, it’s always a good idea to have a veterinarian check their feet regularly. Trimming the toes is part of routine camelid care and it varies by each individual animal how often it needs to be done - depending on their activity level, conformation, and the terrain they roam on.

DENTAL CARE

**Overgrown Incisors**
*Image courtesy of Hook Norton Vet*

Llamas and alpacas’ incisors (their front teeth) continuously grow and routinely need to be trimmed to keep them in line with their dental pad (the toothless gum pad on their upper front jaw). If their incisors do not align with their dental pad, this can affect proper grabbing and chewing of food, leading to weight loss and other health issues.

They also have “fighting teeth,” which are very sharp and can cause harm to other animals. These teeth are routinely cut or shaved down for safety.

Indications your llama or alpaca needs dental care:

Protruding incisors
Losing weight
Dropping feed
Shaking head
Broken or missing teeth
Foul odor to mouth
Nasal discharge
Swelling under the jaw or under the eye

SHEARING

All llamas and alpacas that live in the hot summers of Northern California need annual shearing - typically in early spring before it starts to get hot. This will ensure they do not suffer from the weight of their fleece and reduce the risk of heat stroke (see more information on heat stroke below).

Shearing should be done by a professional or by someone experienced with proper shearing techniques.

VACCINATIONS

There are no vaccines or medications labeled for alpacas and llamas, so the safety and efficacy of these vaccines cannot be guaranteed; however, we still recommend routine vaccinations for all camelids.

CD&T Vaccine

This protects against clostridial diseases (enterotoxemia, tetanus). Crias should be vaccinated at 2-3 days of age, boostered at 2 weeks, boostered again at weaning and then annually thereafter.

Rabies

Vaccinate at weaning and then booster annually. This vaccine is recommended for any camelid that is in close contact with humans. Remember that llamas and alpacas love to spit when angry, and rabies is spread through saliva!

West Nile Virus

This vaccine can be quite expensive and needs to be boostered three times a year to ensure protective immunity so it may only be reserved for your most valuable llamas and alpacas. Crias need a 3-series starting at 2-3 months of age before mosquito season.

Other Vaccines

Your veterinarian may recommend additional vaccinations for diseases like leptospirosis, chlamydia, and Equine Herpes Virus, depending on your animal’s environment and the other animals they are housed with.

PARASITES AND DEWORMER

Fecal Exams

There are a variety of parasites that can affect these guys so performing routine fecal exams (typically every 3-4 months) is best to see which ones, if any, are afflicting your herd. This will allow a targeted deworming strategy, which is best for the health of your herd and your wallet.

Appropriate Stocking Density

The best way to prevent parasites is to make sure your llamas and alpacas have ample space to roam.

Latrine

Camelids utilize a “latrine” or dung pile where they all go to the bathroom in the same spot. This is great for parasite control but needs to be routinely cleaned out, removed, and composted to keep your animals healthy.

Testing New Animals

The main way parasites get into your herd is through the addition of new animals. Always run fecals on any new animals on your property and ensure a clean fecal before introducing them into your herd. It is much easier and cheaper to prevent a parasite problem than treat one.

NEUTERING

Neutering of alpacas and llamas should be done much later in life compared to other animals. Ideally, we do not neuter them until they are at least 18 months of age. If they are neutered before they mature, it causes abnormal bone development, leading to tall, straight legs resulting in joint issues and arthritis in the future.

HEAT STROKE

Llamas and alpacas, native to the high-altitude regions of South America, are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke in the hot summers of Northern California. Their thick wool, designed to insulate them from cold climates, can make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature in the intense heat of the summer months. As the temperatures rise, these animals are at an increased risk of dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke, which can be dangerous if not addressed. However, there are several ways to mitigate this risk.

When Are They At Risk

One way to assess your animal’s risk for heat stress is to look at the heat index. The heat index is the percent humidity plus temperature. You should be concerned for heat stress and take proper precautions (providing shade, fans, sprinklers, hosing them down, etc.) when the heat index is above 120 and avoid all handling of your animals and closely monitor for signs of heat stroke when the index is above 160.

Who is at Highest Risk

Huacayas - they have the thickest fiber
Late pregnant animals
Intact male animals (they are more active when it is hot)
Fat / Over-Conditioned Animals (fat insulates)
High-energy young animals
Animals that lay down more often due to arthritis or other health conditions (because they sweat/dissipate heat from their belly)

Signs of Heat Stress

**Alpaca With Drooping Lower Lip**
*Image courtesy of Te Korito Alpacas*

Open-mouth breathing or drooping lower lip
Swelling under their tail, udder, scrotum, or inside of their thighs
When cushed they pull their elbows forward and their hind legs back
Extending head and neck
Elevated body temperature ( >103 F). They hate getting their temperature taken though so don’t temp them if it is going to cause unneeded stress

Ways to Reduce Risk of Heat Stress

Timely shearing
Effective, vented shade. You need airflow through the shade so the heat has some place to go like a group of trees or a shade cloth.
Reduce their concentrate/grain in their diet (fat insulates!)
Hose soaks and pools. You want to soak them under their armpits and belly (the hairless parts). Do not mist their fiber! (the water will cling to the fiber, heat up, and create a thermal blanket). If you do wet their fiber then get them completely soaked.
Fans
Separate intact males

Ongoing Risk

It is also important to remember that heat has a cumulative effect on the body. Heat stroke does not always happen on the hottest day. You should closely monitor your animals for several days after the heat breaks. Animals that have recovered from heat stroke are typically heat intolerant for life because the temperature control part of their brain is altered. These animals should always be closely monitored, especially at times of rising temperatures.

WHEN TO CALL THE VET

As a llama and alpaca owner, it’s essential to know when to seek professional veterinary care to ensure the health and well-being of your animals. While these hardy creatures are generally low maintenance, there are times when their behavior or physical condition may signal the need for medical attention. Recognizing the signs of illness, injury, or distress early can make a significant difference in their recovery and overall health.

Weight loss
Lameness, issues getting up/down, or dropping of their fetlocks
Lethargy / Weakness
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Ear Drooping
Head Shaking
Eye or Ear Discharge

KEY TAKEAWAYS

By following these basic care guidelines, you can ensure your alpacas and llamas lead healthy, happy lives. Regular veterinary visits, a well-maintained environment, proper diet, and attention to their unique needs will help keep them thriving. Always keep an open line of communication with your veterinarian to address any health concerns and to get the best care advice for your animals.

References

Cebra, C., Anderson, D. E., Tibary, A., Van Saun, R. J., & Johnson, L. W. (2014). Llama and Alpaca Care: Medicine, surgery, reproduction, nutrition, and Herd Health. Elsevier.

Jones, M. Course 43: Heat Stress Mitigation in Camelids, Course 44: Care of Geriatric Camelids, Course 55: Almost Everything You Need to Know About Camelids. Large Animal Continuing Education.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. (2017, November). Camelid Medicine Lecture Series I, II, III. Large Animal Medicine Track. Davis, CA.

Related Resources

https://vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/camelids.html

https://vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/llamapage.html