Action Plan for Camelids (Alpacas, Llamas) Affected with
Acute Death Associated with Liver Disease

David E Anderson, D.V.M., MS, Diplomate ACVS
College of Veterinary Medicine
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Control and surveillance

1. Do not change social structure of groups. Leave animals that have established a social order together. Stop all new activity on farm (e.g. show fitting and testing, re-grouping for sale, introduction of new animals, removal of animals).
2. Evaluate all feed and water sources. Remove any suspect hay or grain sources (e.g. molded, spoiled, etc). Clean and sterilize any water containers that appear to contain algae or are not clean. Inspect all water sources for evidence of dead animals, run off, etc.
3. Obtain samples from all feed and water sources. Have hay and feed analyzed for nutritional values and trace mineral content. Have hay and feed analyzed for aflatoxin and fumonisin mycotoxin. Have water analyzed for mineral content, pH, and bacterial inoculum.
4. Perform liver mineral analysis and intestinal cultures on all animals that die. Perform trace mineral panel and viral profiles on all animals that have blood drawn for any other purpose.
5. Check CBC and serum biochemistry profile on all symptomatic animals to guide additional treatment decisions. May elect to check serum biochemistry profile (the most diagnostic and prognostic testing tool) on all asymptomatic animals (optional - concern is additional stress).
6. Perform complete post-mortem examination of all animals that die. Save necropsy specimens from heart, liver, lung, kidney, C1 content, urine, and aqueous humor for future toxicology as indicated by histopathology.

Treatment recommendations

1. Provide low stress environment - see comments above.
2. Provide source of readily available carbohydrates. These include but are not limited to glucose and electrolyte enriched water, dried molasses, sweet feed, and high quality hay. Continue to provide plain clean water.
3. Provide top dress in feed to include vitamin, mineral, bacterial / yeast, and methionine supplement.
4. Treat animals symptomatically based on appearance, physical examination, and laboratory test results. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and ulcer therapy are administered on a case-by-case basis. I have had the best success with sodium ceftiofur (Naxcel, 2.2 mg/kg, s.c., q24hr), banamine ( 1 mg/kg, s.c., q12hrs), and omiprazole (prilosec, 1 mg/kg, p.o., q24 hrs). Avoid any use of steroids.

Prevention recommendations

1. Maintain low stress environment (sun, shade, ventilation).
2. Ensure proper Clostridial vaccination protocol.
3. Ensure appropriate parasite control strategies.
4. Minimize movement and re-grouping of animals. 5. Make long range plans for animal grouping organization so that repeated changes in group social structure can be avoided (e.g. breeding and sale activities).