Urgent — contact your vet today
A tilted head, circling or leaning suggests ear, brain or nerve problems.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Listeriosis | Silage feeding | Emergency |
| Meningeal worm | — | Urgent |
| Ear ticks / ear infection | Western U.S. | See vet soon |
| Polioencephalomalacia | — | Emergency |
| EHV-1 | Horse contact | Urgent |
What to check first
- Look into the ear with a light.
- Check for facial droop.
- Take a rectal temperature (normal adult 99.5-101.8°F / 37.5-38.8°C) and count breaths per minute (normal 10-30 at rest).
What you can do now
- Quiet, safe enclosure.
When to call the vet
- Same day.
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 head tilt or circling in alpacas?
Common causes include listeriosis, meningeal worm, ear ticks / ear infection, polioencephalomalacia and ehv-1.
When should I call the vet?
Same day.
What should I check first?
Look into the ear with a light. Check for facial droop. Take a rectal temperature (normal adult 99.5-101.8°F / 37.5-38.8°C) and count breaths per minute (normal 10-30 at rest).
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.