Veterinary & Health Articles

There is an upper respiratory infection spreading around Eastern Washington and Idaho in many alpaca farms. Most animals recover without treatment, but some have fevers and eye and/or nose discharges and go off feed. There are a few animals that have died, these were all animals that were immunocompromised in some way (i.e. had another problem on top of the rhinitis).

This disease emphasizes the importance of quarantine. I know a lot of you are about to go to Alpacamania. I want you to realize that it is very easy to pick up respiratory viruses in a show situation--every cough, sneeze, and exhale can spread the virus. If an animal wipes it's nose on you or snorts on you, and then you go walk your animal, your animal will be exposed. It takes about 7-10 days for the disease to show up. This means all animals that go to show must be kept isolated (no shared fences) from all your home animals for at least 2 weeks. It is ESPECIALLY important to keep them isolated from the pregnants and anyone else that seems "fragile." Be sure and feed/clean these animals last everyday, and change your clothes before going back in with the others.

So bottom line for all of you who don't like to read all the details: EITHER DON"T GO TO THE SHOW OR MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A QUARANTINE PEN SET UP FOR WHEN YOU ARRIVE HOME!!!!

I don't know much more than that, but if we learn anything else, we'll let you know!! Keep on hummin' :)

Drs. Amy, Christine, Kurt