Urgent — contact your vet today
Alpacas are stoic herd animals that hide weakness. A reduced appetite is often the first and only early sign of serious illness, so treat it seriously.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach (C3) ulcers | Stress, illness, grain | Urgent |
| Heat stress | Hot humid weather, full fleece | Emergency |
| Impaction | Small hard droppings, low water intake | Urgent |
| Barber pole worm | Pale gums, weakness | Urgent |
| Fatty liver | Late pregnancy, overweight, not eating for days | Emergency |
| Dental problems | Jaw swelling, dropping feed | Urgent |
| Choke | Drooling, repeated swallowing | Emergency |
| Colic | Rolling, lying down often | Emergency |
| Poisoning | Access to toxic plants or clippings | Emergency |
| Stress or social change | New herd, separation from companions, transport | — |
What to check first
- 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).
- Check gums and inner eyelids: pink is good; pale or white suggests anemia.
- Look at the dung pile: are droppings normal pellets, small and hard, or loose?
- Watch the alpaca chew — is feed falling out? Feel the jaw for lumps.
- Check whether it is drinking and urinating normally.
- Score body condition along the backbone.
What you can do now
- Offer fresh grass hay and clean water, keep the alpaca with a companion.
- Move to shade and a breeze if it is hot.
- Do not give grain or force-feed.
When to call the vet
- Any alpaca that refuses feed for more than 12-24 hours needs a vet — camelids hide illness until they are quite sick.
- Immediately if combined with fever, colic, straining, pale gums or lying down constantly.
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
Why is my alpaca not eating?
Common causes include stomach (c3) ulcers, heat stress, impaction, barber pole worm and fatty liver.
When should I call the vet?
Any alpaca that refuses feed for more than 12-24 hours needs a vet — camelids hide illness until they are quite sick. Immediately if combined with fever, colic, straining, pale gums or lying down constantly.
What should I check first?
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). Check gums and inner eyelids: pink is good; pale or white suggests anemia. Look at the dung pile: are droppings normal pellets, small and hard, or loose?
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.