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Veterinary Incident Report
I have had the opportunity to be the veterinarian on call for the AOBA show in Louisville , Ky. for the last three years. While I assume it is an honor to be asked, it often results as being very intense and frustrating. Anytime we commingle strange animals under strange circumstances for a period of time it is stressful to even the most seasoned and hardy alpaca. While I have not written an article, I will share my observations and data.
In 2002, the registration was about 1100 alpacas. It was extremely hot during the whole week with outside temperatures in the 90¡¯s. The stall area was closed and air conditioned. Many of the animals arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday but did show until Friday. Several of these animals had been in transit for two to five days prior to arrival in Ky. By Friday the sod in stalls was urine soaked and I was seeing respiratory problems as well as the expected digestive upsets. I asked the AOBA administrative office to open two doors and run the fans to remove the ammonia. I was told that would costs another $500 to $600 per day in electricity. We were trying to protect the health of 15 million dollars worth of animals and $1500 to $2000 was an issue. In 2002, Wednesday thru Sunday, I was called to 72 stalls. Of these exams, 61 of the 72 patients were under 15 months of age and 53 of the 61 were less than 9 months of age. The following summarizes the symptoms or reason I was called.
Trauma (Cuts and abrasions) 5 of 72
Urination Issue 12 of 72
Seizure 1 of 72
Lameness 9 of 72
Respiratory (Pneumonic signs) 27 of 72
Diarrhea 40 of 72
Cuts and abrasions as well as an occasional seizure are going to occur. The lack of urination is due to lack of water intake. Ten of the 12 not urinating were less than 9 months of age. Limping is usually due to strain or bruising from an extended trailer ride or standing on hard surface. Seven of the 9 limping were under 9 months of age. Respiratory distress likely included heat stress as the body temperatures ranged from 103.5¢ªF to 106.1¢ªF. Nine of 27 respiratory problems were under 9 months of age. Most of these cases were about 2 years of age and in full fleece. Of the 40 diarrhea complaints 27 were under 9 months of age while 8 more were under 15 months of age. My records don¡¯t indicate the age of the other diarrhea cases.
In 2003, the outside temperature was in the 80¡¯s and AOBA administration allowed fan circulation. Some owners changed the sod after 3 days. From Wednesday thru Sunday, I was called to 55 stalls and I think the registration may have been about 1300 alpacas. Of these exams, 46 of the 55 were under 15 months of age and 35 of the 46 were under 9 months of age. The following summarizes the symptoms or reasons I was called in 2003.
Trauma (Cuts & fiber loss) 3 of 55
Seizure 3 of 55
Colic 3 of 55
Urination Problem 5 of 55
Eye Abrasions 2 of 55
Lameness 5 of 55
Respiratory (Ave temp 103.5¢ªF) 5 of 55
Diarrhea 29 of 55
Two of the three seizure patients were 7 & 8 months of age. Four of the five urination problems were under a year of age. Three of the five limping cases were under a year of age while two of the five respiratory complaints were under a year of age. Twenty seven of the twenty nine diarrhea cases were under 15 months of age and 19 of the 27 were less than 9 months of age.
In 2004, the temperature was also in the 80¡¯s. Fan circulation was allowed but doors had to be kept closed. The registration was approximately 1500 alpacas. I was called to 49 stalls in the 5 day show and conference. Of the 49 exams, 42 were to patients under 15 months of age and 33 of those 42 were under 9 months of age. The following summarizes the symptoms or reasons I made stall visits in 2004.
Ultrasound 1 of 49
Trauma (Sprains, strains, & swelling) 2 of 49
Colic (2 unresolved chokes) 5 of 49
Eye abrasions 2 of 49
Urination problem 4 of 49
Lameness 5 of 49
Heat Stress 3 of 49
Diarrhea 27 of 49
Three of 4 urination problems were in patients less than 1 year of age likely from lack of water intake. The ultrasound exam showed cystitis in all cases. Three of the 5 lameness cases were less than I year of age. The heat stress cases were all about 2 years of age and in full fleece. Twenty four of 27 diarrhea patients were under 9 months of age. Three of the colic cases were also associated with diarrhea and present in alpacas under 9 months of age.
If my calculations are correct, 7 out of every 10 patients that I visited for sickness at AOBA during the last 3 years were 9 months of age or less and 8 out 10 were 15 months of age or less. I did not know the exact figures until now, but realized that I was called for mostly young patients.
It is my opinion that many of these juveniles have not been weaned long. Some are not supplemented or eating sufficiently to have developed a healthy immune system that can deal with stress. Some owners are actually supplying minimal nutrition to juveniles in an effort to maintain
¡°fine fiber¡±. When we take these youngsters, transport them with adults and strangers for a few days, some do not eat or drink. This stress allows opportunistic pathogens (parasites, bacteria, and even viral agents) currently present in the body or environment to overcome an already compromised system and cause illness. Most juveniles have not been exposed to outside pathogens and have no resistance. Many have just endured the stress of weaning, halter training, and grooming.
I am contacted often after shows other than the national about youngsters transmitting disease back to their original herd because the juvenile had no resistance. It is not uncommon for other herd members to become febrile, develop diarrhea, and endure fiber breaks. This happened in several alpaca herds after ¡°The Big E¡±, and ¡° MAPACA¡± in the spring of 2004. Many of the youngsters that develop diarrhea can develop ulcers from the ordeal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. This treatment can be stressful and costly. My data indicates that with each year our sickness numbers are decreasing at AOBA. This is good.
I have two suggestions. The most important is to not stall or allow check-in for 36 to 48 hours prior to the shows for the national. Secondly, it is important to remember that 12 to 15 month old animals have developed an immune system that can better deal with infections and stress than can juveniles. Travel across country is stressful to both human and animal. Summer shows and full fleece add further insult to optimum health. I deal with many ¡°fiber breaks¡± and ulcers due to the stress of handling and showing. If this is to be a fleece industry, maybe some alpaca health and wellness could be preserved by more fleece shows. Let interested breeders visit the farms and animals that produced this desirable fleece and follow crias thru weaning, yearling and their maturity in the alpaca¡¯s least stressful environment. These animals do not have to show diarrhea to be stressed.
I am often reminded of the study done in 1999 at The Ohio State University to measure stress in alpacas. Adult alpacas were taken for a 30 minute trailer ride and their serum cortisol levels (a major indicator of stress in both humans and alpacas) was measured before and after the travel). The average cortisol increase for the experience was 140% and it took 4 hours for the cortisol levels to return to normal. I often wonder about the stress levels of 4 to 8 hour rides and 1 or 2 day shows especially for youngsters. These animals deserve some consideration for their health. They did not ask us to own them.
Written by Dr. Norm Evans
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