title: A preliminary study of copper supplementation in alpacas (Lama pacos).
abstract: Supplementing three alpacas with Cu as cupric sulphate (10 mg Cu/kg liveweight) as a single oral dose resulted in no change in the mean plasma Cu concentrations over 30 days while a single oral dose of cupric oxide needles (2.5 g) given to three alpacas caused a small but significant increase in the mean plasma Cu concentrations during days 10-30 following treatment. The mean plasma Cu concentrations of four untreated animals ranged from 4.2 to 5.9 micromol/l over the study. The Cu as cupric sulphate was excreted in the faeces within 5 days while the cupric oxide needles significantly elevated the faecal excretion for over 30 days.
authors: AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors: N D
authors: ND
authors: Grace
authors: F I
authors: FI
authors: Hill
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Death
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Wyeth