ALPACA – unique animals with unique requirements

Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett – Nutritionist, Farmlands

Opting for an alpaca specific feed with higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin D and B1, can help keep your alpaca healthy and productive. NRM Alpaca pellets also contain a vast profile of other nutrients essential for optimum alpaca health.

Alpaca are interesting animals, popular on small blocks in New Zealand. Originating in South America, these domesticated animals belong to the group ‘Camelids’ along with camels and llamas. They’re well known for their high-quality fibre, renowned for its softness and lustre, which is used to make luxury clothing items. They also make great pets with friendly personalities.

They are also used as herd protectors for grazing animals in some countries around lambing or kidding time, as they defend newly born animals from predators such as foxes, eagles and canines, attacking them with their front feet. Alpaca have even been used to protect chickens on free range farms from hawks right here in New Zealand!

Alpaca are unique in terms of their digestive system and are classed as ‘pseudo-ruminants’, as they have a similar digestive system to traditional ruminants like cows or sheep – however they have three stomach compartments rather than four. Alpaca do have some specific nutritional requirements that need to be taken into consideration when keeping them, as they are particularly prone to several nutrient deficiencies here in New Zealand.

Vitamin D Deficiency 

Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D deficiency is common in alpaca. This can worsen in the winter months due to decreased sun-hours and the thick fleece of alpaca. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone development. Deficiency during pregnancy and lactation can cause rickets in young cria (baby alpaca or llama), due to low vitamin D in colostrum and milk. Symptoms of rickets include bowed legs, shifting leg lameness, joint inflammation, a humpback appearance and a slowed growth rate. Supplementing pregnant and lactating alpaca with vitamin D is a necessity, however non-pregnant and male alpaca will also benefit from vitamin D supplementation year-round too. 

Vitamin B1 Deficiency 

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), or inflammation of the brain due to a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, is a condition more commonly seen in alpaca compared to other animals. The gut flora of ruminants and pseudo-ruminants usually produce enough vitamin B1 to satisfy animal requirements, however vitamin B1 production can be reduced in certain circumstances, for example when there is too much sulphur in the diet, or if the rumen is not functioning optimally. Some weeds are also suspected to play a role, due to the presence of an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1.

Alpaca also deplete their body’s supply of vitamin B1 much more rapidly than cattle, sheep or goats so show signs of the disease much more rapidly, compared to their ruminant cousins. Stress and poor weather are also thought to play a part. Symptoms of PEM include lethargy, low appetite or neurological impairment (head and ear twitching, drooling and staggering). Once an animal is showing signs of neurological impairment, injected vitamin B1 is required quickly to avoid death. Regular supplementation of vitamin B1 for alpaca is the best way to prevent PEM cases arising.