Neonatology in Llamas and Alpacas
David E Anderson, DVM, MS, DACVS
Director, International Camelid Initiative
The Ohio State University
The newborn cria is remarkable in many ways. However, the neonatal period
(defined as the first weeks of life) is the highest risk period of a
llama
or alpaca's life. These neonates are susceptible to hypothermia,
hyperthermia, hypoglycemia, septicemia, and congenital defects. The owner
and veterinarian must work together to maximize the crias ability to
thrive. In our research in the Camelid Health Program at Ohio State
University, we found that up to 36% of crias suffer some form of disease
condition between birth and weaning, and that 2 % of crias died before
weaning. The most common disease conditions were diarrhea and infectious
diseases. Crias born with difficulty were 4 times more likely to suffer a
disease event. Crias born in the spring were the least likely to suffer
from diseases. These research data show how important neonatal health
care
is to the survival and ability to thrive of the cria.
The First Hours
The first hours of life are a special bonding period between dam
and cria. During this period, minimal to no human contact is needed. Take
time to be a good observer but do not interfere with the maternal bonding
process. Observe the birthing process if possible, but do not interfere
unless absolutely necessary. The cria should be born within 30 to 60
minutes of the onset of Stage II (full strength contraction) labor. The
cria will appear disoriented at first and struggle to sit-up within 5 to
15
minutes. The cria may flare the nostrils and may even appear distressed
at
times, but should not have any difficulty in breathing. Watch for
abdominal
and thoracic movements they should be in unison. If the thorax moves
inward as the abdomen moves outward, there may be an obstruction to
breathing. Observe the nostrils and face. If the nostrils are flaring
widely and the cheeks "puff" as the cria exhales, there may be
obstruction
of the nasal passage. Crias do not breathe very efficiently through their
mouths and may grow increasingly desperate for air. If these signs are
noted, hold your hand or a mirror in front of the nostrils. You should be
able to feel a gust of warm air or see the mirror "fog" with each exhale.
The cria should begin to try to stand in the first 30 to 60 minutes. This
can be an uncoordinated process, but the cria should be allowed to
struggle
unimpeded by human hands. The cria should try to nurse within 2 to 4
hours.
If the cria has not stood within 2 hours or nursed within 4 hours, human
intervention is warranted. At this time, I weigh the cria and "dip" the
umbilicus with 2 % tincture of iodine or thoroughly spray the umbilicus
with chlorhexidine solution. This will decrease the chance of infection
via
this exposed surface. The umbilicus (navel) should be re-dipped or
sprayed
12 to 24 hours after the first application.
In cold weather (ambient temperature < 40 F or 4 C), earlier intervention
is warranted to prevent hypothermia. In hot weather (ambient temperature
>
90 F or 32 C), shade is desired to prevent onset of hyperthermia.
Ingestion
of colostrum is required for passive transfer of immunity from the dam
(maternal immunoglobulins and white blood cells). The colostrum also
provides an energy dense meal and has a laxative effect for the meconium.
The cria should consume 5 % of its body weight in colostrum within the
first 6 hours of life and 10 % within the first 12 hours of life to gain
adequate protection from the dam.
The udder of the dam should be evaluated to determine if colostrum is
present, ensure that the udder is well developed, that the teats are open
(wax plug released), and no evidence of mastitis is present. If the dam
fails to form colostrum, supplemental immunoglobulins are needed. When
supplemental immunity is needed, colostrum from another llama or alpaca
is
desired. Unfortunately, these are rarely available, but goat, sheep, or
cow
colostrum may be used as an alternative. These should not be given unless
the dam does not have colostrum of her own. Plasma may be administered
orally in the first hours after birth, but the absorption of
immunoglobulins is often lower than expected via this route of
administration. Also, plasma provides little if any energy and must be
followed within 2 hours (but not sooner than 30 minutes) by milk feeding.
The First Day
Once the cria is standing and nursing, little attention is
needed
during the next 24 hours. The dam and cria must have adequate protection
from weather and the dam must have an adequate diet to optimize
lactation.
Great care must be used when trying to provide supplemental heat for
crias.
Only barn-safe heaters should be used to provide heat. I have seen
several
cria and dams injured or killed in barn fires and these are extremely
unfortunate events. I prefer to weigh crias daily for 7 days, weekly for
4
weeks, then monthly until weaning. Crias will loose up to 1 pound during
the first 24 to 36 hours of life. Much of this weight loss is because of
drying of the hair coat and loss of internal fluids accumulated during
intrauterine life. These fluids are lost by urination, defecation, and
breathing. After this time, the cria should gain weight daily. Although
crias normally gain 0.5 to 1 pound of weight each day, smaller weight
gains
are common. Failure to gain weight and, especially, loosing weight after
36
hours is abnormal. The cause of weight loss must be identified and a
determination made as to whether the dam is not lactating, the teats are
plugged or not functional, the cria is not nursing properly, or the cria
is
unhealthy. We do see crias "stall", or fail to gain weight, for various
periods of time for no apparent reason. This is considered normal if the
cria is bright, alert, active, and thriving in all other respects.
The cria should pass meconium, the first feces, within 12 hours.
Colostrum
has a laxative effect and facilitates passage of this "sticky" fecal
matter. Crias that receive colostrum substitutes instead of colostrum are
more likely to have difficulty passing meconium. I do not advocate
routine
administration of enemas to crias. However, enemas may be helpful if the
cria is known not to have passed the meconium within 12 to 24 hours or is
straining to defecate. A "congenital defect check" should be done during
the first day of life. Check for nostrils and air movement, check for the
anus, vulva or penis, eyes, mouth, and limbs for any abnormality. A
thorough auscultation of the heart and lungs should be done to determine
if
a heart murmur or any abnormality of the lungs is present.
The Second Day
The cria is observed for behavior. A normal cria will eagerly
interact with the environment, people, and the dam. I prefer to vaccinate
crias for Clostridium perfringens types C and D and Clostridium tetani
between 48 and 72 hours old. This vaccine will prime the cria's immune
system for a booster vaccine to be given 2 weeks later. If the cria is
lethargic or seems depressed, a thorough physical examination including
heart rate (normal range, 80 to 120 bpm), breathing (normal range is 20
to
40 and is effortless), and rectal temperature (normal range, 99 to 102 F)
are indicated. Vaccination should be delayed until the cria is healthy
and
normal because these vaccines can be inflammatory. The immune system will
not respond properly if the cria is stressed by disease or malnutrition.
The Second Week
The cria should have gained 7 to 14 pounds (3.5 to 7 kgs) since
birth. The cria should be running, playing, and be vibrant. A physical
examination should be done and a booster vaccine (CD&T) given.
Weaning
Weaning can be done at various times and is influenced by the
health of both the cria and dam. Many crias are weaned when they reach a
"target weight" of 60 pounds for alpacas or 100 pounds for llamas. In
many
cases, these crias are too young to wean at this time. I advocate weaning
no earlier than 4 months, but preferably at 6 months. This time allows
for
optimal development of eating habits and digestion and yields a healthier
cria through the first year of life.
However, the health of the dam must not be sacrificed. Thin females must
be
allowed to regain their body weight and condition. I feel that body
condition scoring (BCS) is a valuable tool to evaluate cria and dam. Thin
crias are abnormal and a cause for poor condition should be found and
corrected. Similarly, thin females are abnormal. If a female is
exceedingly
thin (BCS of 3 out of 10 or less), early weaning of the cria should be
considered. If the female has been bred back at 3 to 4 weeks post-partum,
this extra time will allow her to rebuild lost body condition in time to
produce adequate colostrum and be fit to lactate for the next cria. Thin
females are more likely to have poor quality colostrums and inadequate
milk
production.
Ricketts Prevention
Ricketts is caused by low Vitamin D concentration in the blood.
Crias are particularly prone to Vitamin D deficiency in North America.
Vitamin D deficiency causes injury to the growth plates and is recognized
clinically by crooked legs, arched back, reluctance to walk, lameness,
lethragy, and poor growth. This condition is only seen in crias during
winter months or when they are totally confined without access to
sunlight.
In general, crias born in the fall need supplemental Vitamin D during
winter months. The easiest form of supplementation is by injecting
Vitamin
D under the skin at 1000 units per Kg of body weight. Each injection will
provide Vitamin D for a period of 60 to 90 days. I suggest injection of
supplemental Vitamin D to crias < 6 to 9 months old in late November and
again in February. Supplementation during Spring, Summer, and Fall should
not be necessary. Vitamin D toxicity is possible and close attention to
dose, frequency, and time of year is warranted.
Neonatal Diseases seen in Llamas and Alpacas
Hypothermia
Hypoglycemia
Septicemia
Malnutrition
Diarrhea (bacterial, viral, nutritional)
Ill Thrift Syndrome
Ricketts
Congenital Defects
David E Anderson, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Associate Professor of Surgery, Food Animal
601 Vernon L Tharp Street
College of Veterinary Medicine
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Anderson.670@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-6661
Fax: 614-292-3530
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