Crossroads Veterinary Services (706) 743-7614 or (706) 224-3200

 ·         All vaccinations are “off label” in alpacas and llamas; therefore effectiveness and safety are not guaranteed by the manufacturers. Consult with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate vaccination protocol. The following is provided as information only. 

 ·         Avoid modified-live vaccines in pregnant animals.  

·         Vaccines may not completely prevent infections but often moderate the disease symptoms experienced by the animal.  

·         Vaccinations should be used to complement not replace management techniques for disease prevention.  

·         Individual animal response to a vaccine is variable and can be affected by many factors such as stress, immune status at time of vaccination, and proper storage and administration of the vaccine. A sick animal will not respond as well as a healthy animal. Vaccinate a week or two prior to a stressful event such as shipping or weaning.  

·         Initial vaccinations generally require boosters to generate adequate protection due to the need to prime the immune system and the potential for interference from waning maternal colostral antibodies.  

Vaccinations Used in Camelids

CD/T  

·         Clostridium perfringens type C, D, and C. tetani  

·         A commonly used vaccine. C. perfringens has been implicated in diarrhea and sudden deaths in crias and occasionally adults. All animals are at risk for tetanus following infection primarily through wounds, castrations, etc.  

·         One common vaccination schedule is vaccination of adults yearly; pregnant females 4-6 weeks prior to parturition; crias at 3-4 months old and again 4 weeks later then yearly thereafter. Other protocols are also used and can be tailored to suit individual farm situations.  

Clostridium perfringens Type A Toxoid  

·         Recently developed vaccine for use in cattle.  

·         Evaluated at Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital on alpacas  o No vaccine site reactions were seen.  

o This product was NOT evaluated on pregnant animals.  

o Titers were measured and results indicated an immune response occurred but the degree of protection provided is unknown at this time.  

Other Clostridial Vaccines  

·         “7 way” and “8 way” clostridial vaccines available. The number refers to the number of diseases the vaccine prevents.  

·         Vaccinates against a broad spectrum of clostridial bacteria.  

·         Some contain tetanus.  

·         Vaccine site reactions have been reported with some products.  

West Nile Virus  

·         Alpacas and llamas are considered at low risk of developing clinical signs after infection with this virus. However the most common signs of infection are neurological usually progressing to death of the animal even with intensive medical treatments.  

·         Only consider use in areas with known West Nile virus.  

·         Adverse reactions to the vaccine have ranged from mild injection site reactions to anaphylaxis. Try to avoid vaccinating breeding females within 60 days of breeding or 30 days of parturition.  

·         There are two vaccine products that have been used in alpacas and llamas:  

o Ft. Dodge West Nile-Innovator® - Research showed 3 doses, 3 weeks apart, generated the highest titer response. Challenge studies evaluating vaccine protection in camelids have not been performed.  

o Merial Recombitek Equine WNV vaccine® - No published research but the product has been evaluated on alpacas.  

Leptospirosis  

·         Consider in areas where the disease is endemic. May need to revaccinate up to 3-4 times a year.¹  

·         Clinical signs vary from fever and anorexia, kidney and liver damage, and abortions. 

·         There are many serovars or types of Leptospira. Vaccines only include the more common serovars found in cattle so protection may be incomplete.  

·         Prevention can be increased by limiting rodent and wildlife contact and vaccinating dogs that may have contact with the herd. Rabies Rabies has been reported in camelids.

·         There are currently no licensed vaccines for use in alpacas and llamas.  

·         Vaccinations can only be performed by veterinarians.  

·         Consider yearly vaccinations in endemic areas which can be given as early as 3-6 months of age.  

·         Proof of vaccination may not be sufficient if an animal is exposed leading to quarantine or euthanasia.  

Equine Herpesvirus-1 

·         This disease has infrequently been reported in camelids. Affected animals exhibit neurological signs or blindness.  

·         Consider vaccination if camelids are kept in close proximity with horses or other equines. If needed, use the killed product and vaccinate every 12 weeks. There is no approved camelid vaccine. The equine products do not protect against the neurological form of the disease. 

BVDV  

·         Bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccines are available as products labeled for cattle. 

·         Currently we do not recommend use due to difficulties with current diagnostic techniques. 

Miscellaneous Products Commonly Used Vitamin E & Selenium  

·         Injectable vitamin E and selenium is commonly given to newborn crias in areas of the country deficient in selenium. '

·         The most common product used is Bo-Se® (1 mg/ml). A common dose is 1 mg given subcutaneously for alpaca crias and 2 mg for llama crias.

·         Proper supplementation of the dam during gestation can aid in preventing deficiencies in the developing fetus. 

Vitamin A & D 

·         Vitamin D deficiency in neonates can lead to a metabolic condition known as hypophosphatemic rickets. The condition is most commonly seen in darker pigmented crias during winter in the more northern states.

·         Injectable and oral supplements are available. The injectable form is often in combination with vitamin A and requires less frequent dosing than the oral form. A common dose is 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D/pound of body weight given subcutaneously. One dose will last approximately 60-90 days. The oral product is typically dosed at 30,000 IU of vitamin D every 2 weeks.