Urgent — contact your vet today
Incoordination, dragging toes or swaying hindquarters are classic neurological signs — in eastern North America think meningeal worm first.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Meningeal worm | Deer areas, autumn | Urgent |
| White muscle disease | Crias | See vet soon |
| Rickets | Young, winter | See vet soon |
| Polioencephalomalacia | Blindness too | Emergency |
| West Nile / EEE | Mosquito season | Urgent |
| Spinal injury | After fighting or trauma | — |
| Ryegrass or dallisgrass staggers | Grass tremors | — |
What to check first
- Watch it walk on flat ground and turn tight circles.
- Check toenails are not causing the gait.
- 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
- Keep in a small, safe, well-bedded area.
- Prevent falls and fighting.
When to call the vet
- Same day — early treatment of meningeal worm matters.
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 hind leg weakness & wobbly walk in alpacas?
Common causes include meningeal worm, white muscle disease, rickets, polioencephalomalacia and west nile / eee.
When should I call the vet?
Same day — early treatment of meningeal worm matters.
What should I check first?
Watch it walk on flat ground and turn tight circles. Check toenails are not causing the gait. 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.