Emergency — call your vet now
A cria should stand within about an hour and nurse within 4 hours of birth.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of failure of passive transfer | — | Urgent |
| Cold / weak cria | — | Emergency |
| Prematurity | — | Urgent |
| Choanal atresia | Mouth breathing | Emergency |
| Cleft palate | Milk from nose | Urgent |
| Dam has no milk or sore teats | — | — |
What to check first
- Check the dam's teats for wax plugs and milk.
- Take the cria's temperature.
- Weigh the cria.
What you can do now
- Strip the wax plugs from the teats.
- Warm a cold cria before feeding.
- Give thawed colostrum by bottle if the cria cannot nurse.
When to call the vet
- If not nursing by 4-6 hours of age.
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 nursing?
Common causes include risk of failure of passive transfer, cold / weak cria, prematurity, choanal atresia and cleft palate.
When should I call the vet?
If not nursing by 4-6 hours of age.
What should I check first?
Check the dam's teats for wax plugs and milk. Take the cria's temperature. Weigh the cria.
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.