Urgent — contact your vet today
Healthy crias gain roughly 0.25-0.5 lb (100-225 g) per day. Weigh daily for the first two weeks.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient milk | Maiden dam, mastitis | — |
| Mastitis | — | See vet soon |
| Parasites | Older crias | Urgent |
| BVDV | Poor-doers | See vet soon |
| Infection | — | Urgent |
What to check first
- Weigh daily at the same time.
- Check the dam's udder.
What you can do now
- Supplemental bottle feeding as advised by your vet.
When to call the vet
- If no gain for 2 days or losing weight after day 3.
Normal alpaca vital signs
| Measure | Adult | Cria |
|---|---|---|
| Rectal temperature | 99.5–101.8 °F (37.5–38.8 °C) | 100–102.2 °F (37.8–39 °C) |
| Heart rate | 60–90 beats/min | 70–100 beats/min |
| Breathing rate | 10–30 breaths/min | 20–40 breaths/min |
| Gum / eyelid color | Moist and pink; pale, white, yellow, brick-red or brown is abnormal | |
| Cud chewing | Several hours per day; stopping is an early sign of illness (adults) | |
Frequently asked questions
What causes cria not gaining weight?
Common causes include insufficient milk, mastitis, parasites, bvdv and infection.
When should I call the vet?
If no gain for 2 days or losing weight after day 3.
What should I check first?
Weigh daily at the same time. Check the dam's udder.
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.