Alpaca Nutrition News                                                                              June 2007

Feeding the recovering alpaca

One of the first indications that an alpaca is ill is the lack of appetite. This is because the immune system has diverted from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to fight infection. Because the GIT is a major energy user, it is shut down. This means that whatever energy is already in the body (this does not include undigested feed in the GIT) is all the animal has to defeat the infection.

The return of appetite is a positive sign that the alpaca is recovering. It is always a relief to see the debilitated animal attack the feed with gusto. However, the rumen and GIT are still under-populated with beneficial microorganisms, they require nutrient flow to resume before they can return to full strength.

If a recovering alpaca chows down immediately following a protracted illness, there is a very real possibility of CONSTIPATION or DIARRHEA. This is because too much undigested feed is getting to the large intestine. These disorders have consequences of their own and may complicate recovery. One alternative is to control feed intake and gradually increase to normal. It is also highly recommended that probiotics be given throughout the illness AND recovery.

A concentrated probiotic such as MSE paste or drench should be given whenever an animal stops eating. It can prevent further infection or ameliorate potential side effects. A concentrated probiotic can also assist the recovering alpaca digest feed and prevent the above complications.

A concentrated probiotic should be fed until the alpaca is eating and pooping normally.

MSE paste and drench are available at www.naturs-way.com or by calling (800)615-0299 8:30 am - 6:00 pm, M - F.  Please feel free to contact Ruminant Nutritionist, Lark Burnham at lark@carsoncomm.com.