Reminders for Alpaca Owners Attending Shows
On behalf of the Government and Industry
Relations Committee (GIRCom)
As previously reported, several alpacas that attended certain fall shows developed diarrhea. Some of these animals traveled to other states. This led to widespread reports of severe diarrhea from additional alpaca farms. Members have expressed concerns about their alpacas being exposed to disease at future shows. Additionally, some members are concerned about the potential exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at shows.
Although HPAI has affected multiple species, only one known report indicates that alpacas were affected. These alpacas were on premises where HPAI-infected poultry were present. Therefore, the risk of being infected at an alpaca show is unlikely. At this time there is no HPAI screening test approved for camelids.
Biosecurity plays a crucial role in reducing the introduction and spread of disease. Biosecurity begins and ends on the home farms. Owners should practice biosecurity whenever possible to protect the health of their animals and the broader show populations.
Examples of biosecurity measures:
- Before taking alpacas to any show, owners should re-evaluate their health. The condition of an alpaca may have changed since the initial examination for the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
- If an alpaca develops diarrhea or shows signs of illness while attending a show, owners should quarantine the animal immediately. This helps prevent exposure to other animals.
- Alpacas returning from a show should be quarantined for two to three weeks upon arrival at the home farm. This allows time to monitor for any diseases they may have been exposed to.
- Quarantine areas, either at shows or on farms, should be located away from the main herd with no shared fence lines. These pens should only be accessed after feeding and managing healthy animals. A pair of boots or shoes should be reserved for use only in the quarantine area. Likewise, owners should designate specific equipment, such as halters and leads, for the quarantine area. This equipment should not be used outside of it. Dung should be removed promptly. Handwashing or sanitizing facilities should be available near the quarantine area and used when leaving it.
Show veterinarians do everything they can to identify sick animals during vet check. However, it is impossible to know if an asymptomatic alpaca is incubating a potentially transmissible disease. Therefore, it is important to always practice biosecurity with your show animals and to monitor them closely before, during and after every show.
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