Vitamin D doses for alpacas (Lama pacos).
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of cholecalciferol (D3) doses for maintaining adequate vitamin D status in crias and adult female alpacas at pasture.


METHODS
A field experiment during winter and early spring in a herd on a farm in South Australia. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURE: Crias, usually less than 6 months of age and female alpacas, aged 2 to 6 years, were given a single subcutaneous dose of 0, 1000 or 2000 IU D3/kg body weight. Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH D3), phosphorus, calcium and vitamins A and E and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured at intervals over a period of 16 weeks after treatment.


RESULTS
Crias not given a vitamin D supplement had reduced growth rate during winter and one animal showed clinical signs of rickets. Vitamin D treatment had no effect on the body weight of mature females. Vitamin D supplements increased the 25-OH D3 and phosphorus concentrations in plasma of both crias and adult females; alkaline phosphatase activity was not affected by treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that for alpacas in southern Australia a subcutaneous dose of 1000 IU D3/kg body weight to crias in late autumn and again in mid winter and to adult females in mid winter should prevent vitamin D inadequacy.
Judson
G J
GJ
South Australian Research & Development Institute, Glenside, South Australia. judson.geoffrey@pi.sa.gov.au
Feakes
A
A
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D; D014810:Vitamin E; D010758:Phosphorus; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium