Receiving Outside Animals

From time to time, I take on boarding animals or animals that stay for short periods of time while waiting for a transport to pick them up. While breeders who have been in the business for any length of time often follow good bio-security practices, it is important to stick to your guns about doing fecal tests on any outside alpacas. This includes females and cria who have arrived at your farm for breeding services.

Regardless, of what medical records say, or the fact that a farm tells you the animal(s) has been "wormed, keep them in the quarantine pen and get your own test by your own vet two weeks after the animal has arrived on your property. This practice will save you money, time and aggravation, along with preventing the introduction of unwanted parasites into your pastures. Young animals are notorious for shedding large amounts of eggs because their immune systems are not fully developed.

We are blessed with a dry, hot climate. Animals coming from other geographical locations often have parasites that are not as abundant here in New Mexico. Keep it that way by following good herd health protocol.