Church Street Veterinary Hospital, Mudgee
Animal Information > ALPACAS

• What is the normal body temperature for an alpaca?
• Do alpacas need to be shorn every year?
• What vaccinations do alpacas need and when?
• Do alpacas need worming?
• Do alpacas' toenails need trimming?
• What's this about alpacas and Vitamin D?

Do alpacas need to be shorn every year? [top]
The short answer to this question is YES. The exception is elderly alpacas whose fleece grows back slowly or very sparse. With these animals, you can sometimes shear every second year. Shearing is important because it reduces the risk of heat stress.

Do alpacas need worming? [top]
Worm tests are preferable to mass worming of animals as alpacas have specific dung piles, which they rarely eat around; this reduces the likelihood of ingestion of worm eggs. You should worm animals if they have been purchased from another property prior to introduction to the herd, or if they are grazing on land where other animal species have grazed. Please contact us for more info.

Do alpacas' toenails need trimming? [top]
Alpacas need to have their toenails cut at least once a year. The easiest time to cut toenails is when they are tied down while shearing. Toenails grow at different rates for individual alpacas and many need their toenails cut every six months. If toenails are left uncut, they can grow sideways and even curl upwards, making them harder to cut in future and may also cause the alpaca some discomfort.

What's this about alpacas and Vitamin D? [top]
Alpacas come from South America where there are higher levels of ultraviolet light and higher concentrations of minerals and trace elements in the soil. The ultraviolet light provides Vitamin D. Without sufficient levels of Vitamin D, the alpaca may develop rickets so usually an injection of Vitamin D in winter is advisable. Contact us for more info.