This week has been a classic example of what alpacas can face at this time of year.
First up, a maiden female and an older female with a cria at foot were both standing apart from the herd, looking a bit spaced out. We brought them in and, sure enough, their membranes were pale – which at this time of year usually means just one thing: barber’s pole worm.
This internal parasite is the Olympic champion of bloodsuckers and can kill an animal very quickly. We reach for the cydectin drench, B1 and B12 and cross all our fingers and toes. So far, the maiden is improving but the older female we are not sure about. She is staying with the rest of the herd so that is a good sign. Alpacas do everything they can to stay with their group and anyone out on their own normally spells trouble.
Next up fly strike and all those horrid maggots. You look out for a wet patch in the fleece and we had one the other day. Treatment is well established. Firstly shear off the wet looking area and a good margin around it. Spray with Crovect. Luckily there were no maggots, only eggs, so we got there in good time although she does now have a blue bum!