Emergency — call your vet now
Open-mouth breathing or more than 30 breaths per minute at rest is abnormal.
Possible causes
| Possible cause | Clues | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Heat stress | Most common in summer | Emergency |
| Pneumonia | Fever | Urgent |
| Cyanide or nitrate poisoning | Sudden onset | Emergency |
| Severe anemia | Pale gums | Urgent |
| Pain | — | Emergency |
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 gum color: pale, bright red or brown?
What you can do now
- Shade, airflow and cool water on belly and legs if hot.
When to call the vet
- Immediately if open-mouth breathing, temperature above 104°F (40°C), or abnormal gum color.
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 fast or heavy breathing in alpacas?
Common causes include heat stress, pneumonia, cyanide or nitrate poisoning, severe anemia and pain.
When should I call the vet?
Immediately if open-mouth breathing, temperature above 104°F (40°C), or abnormal gum color.
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 gum color: pale, bright red or brown?
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.