Vitamin D doses for alpacas (Lama pacos)

• Published in: Australian veterinary journal Vol. 77; no. 5; pp. 310 - 315
• Main Authors: Judson, G.J, Feakes, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.1999
• Subjects: 25,26-dihydroxycholecalciferol; alkaline phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase - blood; Alpaca; alpacas; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Calcifediol - blood; calcium; Calcium - blood; Camelids, New World - blood; cholecalciferol; dosage; Female; growth rate; Male; nutritional status; phosphorus; Phosphorus - blood; Random Allocation; rickets; spring; Time Factors; vitamin A; Vitamin A - blood; vitamin D; Vitamin D - administration & dosage; Vitamin D Deficiency - prevention & control; Vitamin D Deficiency - veterinary; vitamin deficiencies; vitamin E; Vitamin E - blood; vitamin supplements; winter; South Australia
• ISSN: 0005-0423; 1751-0813
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb10270.x

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of cholecalciferol (D3) 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 procedureCrias, 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‐hydroxycholecalcif‐erol (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. ResultsCrias 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. ConclusionIt 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.