How to Administer Medications in Alpacas

There are no medications in the UK which are licensed for use in alpacas, so you should always consult your vet for advice on which medication to use and at what dosage rate (as this can differ greatly from the information listed on the packaging). Once you know the dosage rate, you can calculate it for each alpaca using an online calculator such as this one. 

This blog offers some insight into how medication is administered in alpacas, but before you begin any of the practices you should ask your vet to show you how to do this correctly and safely to avoid causing injury to yourself, another handler or your alpaca(s). If you still do not feel confident doing this after being shown, request the vet does it for you.

Regardless of the type or method of medication, always:

• Ensure there are two handlers present (one to hold the alpacas and one to administer the medication)

• Wash your hands before and after medicating your alpacas

• Use sterile equipment and a fresh needle for each alpaca to reduce the risk of contamination

• Make a note of the medication batch number, in case of any issues or recalls

• Shake the product thoroughly before use to ensure it is mixed well

• Select the smallest gauge needle possible to handle the volume and thickness of the product (needles are colour coded in terms of gauge – the higher the number, the finer the gauge of the needle)

• Leave one needle in the bottle, and use a separate needle for injecting (but remember to remove the dispensing needle before storing)

• Inject air into the medication bottle before withdrawing the drug to balance the pressure and after withdrawing the drug, hold the syringe and needle vertically and tap it lightly to move the air bubbles up before pushing the plunger carefully to remove any trapped air

• Label the medication upon opening with the date

• Store and dispose of the medication as per the directions

Intravenous Injections

Intravenous injections must ONLY be conducted by a vet because this is highly skilled and requires accessing the blood vessels in a manner that will not cause infection.

Intramuscular Injections

These injections are going straight into muscle mass and usually used for antibiotics. 

1. Use a separate needle for each alpaca and only put sterile needles into the bottle 

2. Use a long enough needle to penetrate the skin & muscle (1" usually for adults) and correct gauge to handle the viscosity of the fluid (18G usually) 

3. Inject air into the bottle to equalise pressure

4. Find a suitable place to inject 

5. Needle should be at 90° angle to the body 

6. Pull the plunger back before injecting; if you draw blood, you have hit a blood vessel and need to reposition as injecting into the blood can be fatal or if there is no resistance, you are not in muscle and need to reposition

7. Dispense

8. Massage the area after injecting to distribute the medication and relieve some of the stinging sensation 

9. Dispose of needles in a sharps bin

Subcutaneous Injections

These injections go between the skin and muscle 

1. Use a separate needle for each alpaca and only put sterile needles into the bottle 

2. Use a long enough needle to penetrate the skin (1/2" usually fine) and correct gauge to handle the viscosity of the fluid (20G - 23G usually) 

3. Inject air into the bottle to equalise pressure

4. Pinch the skin into a 'tent' shape 

5. Needle should be at 30° angle to the body 

6. Insert needle under the length of the tent

7. Pull the plunger back before injecting; if you draw blood, you have hit a blood vessel and need to reposition as injecting into the blood can be fatal or if there is no resistance, you are not under the skin and need to reposition

8. Dispense 

9. Do NOT rub area

10. Double check you injected correctly

11. If you have to reposition, choose a new site at least 1" away

12. Dispose of needles in a sharps bin

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments are applied to the skin as directed. It can be difficult to administer these treatments to alpacas with full fleeces, so ensure you part the fleece well beforehand. The best time to complete this type of treatment is just after shearing.

Oral Drenches

Some medications, like wormers, require oral administration and can be administered using a drench gun, like the one in the images below. Drench guns make the task quicker and easier, but make sure that the gun and tubing is cleaned after use, between drug types and between groups to avoid cross contamination and to maintain good biosecurity. 

1. Safely catch and restrain your alpaca 

2. Tilt the head backwards slightly to encourage the alpaca to swallow 

3. Release the medication slowly, allowing the alpaca time to swallow - be careful not to push fluid into the lungs and stop if they are coughing/regurgitating 

4. Hold the alpaca for a few seconds afterwards to encourage swallowing

Disclaimer: Fostings Alpacas are not a veterinarian body. Always consult your vet before administering medication to your herd.

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