Emergencies happen at night, on weekends and in bad weather. A well-stocked kit and a calm routine buy precious time until your vet arrives.
Know normal vital signs
| Measure | Adult | Cria |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.5–101.8°F (37.5–38.8°C) | 100–102.2°F (37.8–39°C) |
| Heart rate | 60–90 /min | 70–100 /min |
| Breathing | 10–30 /min | 20–40 /min |
| Gums & eyelids | Moist, pink | Moist, pink |
Practise taking temperatures when animals are healthy so you know each one’s normal.
Basic first-aid kit
- Digital rectal thermometer and lubricant
- Stethoscope
- Disposable gloves
- Clean towels and paper towels
- Saline for flushing wounds and eyes
- Dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine for wound cleaning
- Wound spray and blood-stop powder
- Non-stick dressings, gauze, vet wrap, tape and bandage scissors
- Toenail shears
- Syringes (various sizes) and new needles — for vet-prescribed medicines only
- Electrolyte powder
- A headlamp or flashlight
- A notebook, plus your vet’s emergency number taped inside the lid
- A halter and lead rope
Birthing kit (add for breeding farms)
- Obstetric lubricant and long gloves
- Navel dip (dilute chlorhexidine or iodine) and a small cup
- Frozen colostrum (camelid, goat or cow) and a bottle with lamb nipples
- Stomach tube kit (use only if trained)
- Cria coat, heat lamp (safely mounted) and towels
- Scale for daily cria weights
- IgG test kit or vet arrangement
See birthing alpacas and cria care.
Call the vet immediately for
Down and unable to rise; open-mouth or labored breathing; temperature above 104°F (40°C) or below 99°F (37.2°C); a male straining to urinate; colic (rolling, kicking at the belly); green fluid from nose or mouth; labor without progress for 30 minutes; a cria not nursing by 4–6 hours; sudden blindness, circling or wobbling; suspected poisoning; deep bites or bleeding wounds.
Use the symptom checker to understand what you’re seeing while you wait.
What NOT to do
- Don’t pour liquids into the mouth of an alpaca that may have choke.
- Don’t give human painkillers or leftover antibiotics.
- Don’t pull on a retained placenta.
- Don’t drench oil or home remedies without vet advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal temperature for an alpaca? About 99.5–101.8°F (37.5–38.8°C); a bit higher after exercise or on hot afternoons.
Should I keep antibiotics at home? Only those prescribed by your vet for a specific use — never treat blindly.
Keep reading
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.