Unless you come from a livestock background (which I did not), that first year of alpaca ownership can introduce you to a new vocabulary when it comes to healthcare – specifically when it comes to taking care of your own shots and vaccinations. And you can feel like a total idiot – breeders and vets will reel off acronyms easily that fall on neophyte ears like a foreign language. Luckily, not only did I have an outstanding vet (thank you so much, Dr. Kim Gardner-Graff) , but also some wonderful mentors who answered all my questions patiently. But even now, years later, I still remember the awkwardness of the first year and thought I would publish my own schedule of shots and vaccinations, along with full explanation of those pesky acronyms.
As always, care may vary according to region, your own particular herd needs (due to size, ranch layout and practices etc), or your vet may prescribe a different practice. I always go with what my vet says so we’re always on the same page.
Those puzzling first acronyms that soon become your second language:
- CC = cubic centimeters. 1cc equals 1 ml but cubic centimeters are appropriately used for solid matter.
- IgG= immunoglobulin G. This is a blood draw to measure the levels of proteins that function as antibodies in the immune response. This has nothing to do with shots but you’ll run into it when you have crias born. An IgG on the day after birth can determine whether the newborn received adequate immunities from the mom’s colostrum.
- IM= intramuscular. The shot is injected in the muscle tissue, most commonly into the butt. Especially important that all air has been eliminated from the injection.
- ML = or “mil”= 1 milliliter. 1 ml equals 1 cc but milliliters are appropriately used for liquids e.g. blood, drugs etc. Syringes are marked in ml.
- SQ = subcutaneously. The shot is injected under the skin but not into the muscle. You tent up the skin to create a pocket. Most commonly done in the hairless area in the inner armpit, the top of the leg , or the base of the neck. Important that all air has been eliminated from the injection.
Those first puzzling meds that are injected:
- AD&E= Vitamin A,D &E. Non prescription and can be stored at room temperature. Viscous liquid. Used for growing crias at the rate of 1 ml per 100 lbs SQ to encourage good growth and straight legs. I also give it to pregnant dams 3 months before their delivery date as a boost for the baby.
- Banamine= flunixin meglumine is the generic term, Banamine is the brand name that everyone refers to it by. Prescription only and stored refrigerated to maximize life. It’s an anti-inflammatory and therefore a pain reliever. It also blocks a female from aborting during times of high stress and is sometimes used during transport and shearing. 1 ml per 100 lbs IM.
- CD&T= Clostridium Perfringens, Types C&D Tetanus Toxoid. Non-prescription vaccination stores in the refrigerator. Prevents enterotoxemia among others. 1 ml administered SQ to newborns unless dam was vaccinated 6 weeks prior to birth, in which case newborn is injected at 1 month old. Then 2 ml SQ at 2 mos, 6 mos, 1 year old and annually after that.
- Dectomax = brand name for doramectin. An injectable non-prescription parasiticide preferred by some breeders over Ivomec. Administer 1 ml per 70 lbs either SQ or IM. Like all parasiticides, I usually only treat upon discovery of parasites in fecals and do not usually treat on a set schedule.
- Epi= abbreviation for epinephrine (not to be confused with the parasite formerly known as “epe”, now called mycoplasma haemolame).Prescription only and store refrigerated to maximize life. Epi is used to treat anaphylactic shock if the animal reacts after you administer meds. 1 ml IM should be administered as soon as the signs of shock are evident as anaphylactic shock can be fatal. This med is like insurance – you have to have it but hope you never use it.
- Ivomec= brand name for Merial ivermectin which is an injectable parasiticide. Non prescription and can be stored at room temperature. There is also Ivomec+, which covers what Ivomec does plus things like liver flukes. Ivomec covers only specific parasites so your vet should advise you based on the fecal results.
- Oxytocin= prescription only and stored refrigerated to maximize life. This is another med that you have on hand and hope you never have to use. It’s a mammalian hormone that can induce contractions in the uterus. It is used most commonly to bring the milk down in post partum dams for the benefit of the nursing newborn.
- Panacur= or Safeguard= both brand names for fenbendazole. Non prescription oral paste that can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated to maximize lifespan. Another parasiticide with premeasured notches on the plunger. I do use this to treat dams for 3 days after they give birth as the stress of delivery may cause them to shed eggs. You should consult your vet for its appropriate use. Not a shot, unlike Ivomec.
- Vit B= non-prescription liquid that can be stored at room temperature. Used to boost appetite for weight-deficient animals. 1 ml per 100 lbs.
These are the most universal injectables that I could think of. There are , of course, many other meds that are specific to illnesses (like antibiotics like Naxel, Excenel, and Penicillin at 1 ml per 25 lbs) and region (West Nile (WNV), selenium).
Those first puzzling syringes:
To give a shot, you need a needle and a syringe. You can buy them separately or pre-assembled but they should all be sterile, of course. I like the luer lock syringes that screw the needle on slightly vs the ones that are just pressed on (and seem to pop off just as easily). For all the shots above, you can stick with a 3 ml syringe and a 20 gauge needle, 1″ long. I used to have 18 gauge needles (which are bigger) and 22 gauge needles (which are smaller) but a 20 gauge is an all-around good-to-have size. As you use the meds, you will note the ones that are more viscous (AD&E) or more fluid (Ivomec) and can specialize accordingly.
The Pacablogger 