Vitamin D doses for alpacas (Lama pacos)

Objective To assess the effectiveness of cholecalciferol (D 3 ) doses for maintaining adequate vitamin D status in crias and adult female alpacas at pasture. Design 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 D 3 / kg body weight. Plasma concentrations of 25‐hydroxycholecalcif‐erol (25‐OH D 3 ), 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 D 3 and phosphorus concentrations in plasma of both crias and adult females; alkaline phosphatase activity was not affected by treatment. Conclusion It is suggested that for alpacas in southern Australia a subcutaneous dose of 1000 IU D 3 /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.