..:: Tuberculosis (TB) ::..

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Alpacas do not appear to be susceptible to TB. In the 20 odd years alpacas have been farmed and tested for tuberculosis (TB) in NZ, there have been very few (under 5) reported cases of reactors (animals which have a positive TB test).

Because neither alpacas, nor their by-products (milk etc), are eaten in New Zealand, TB testing is not compulsory. Currently alpacas move freely around the country, unlike TB susceptible species (such as deer and cattle).

If you wish to compete in Alpaca competitions hosted by A&P associations, it is a requirement by the Alpaca Association that competing alpacas are TB tested within 2 months prior to the show, or come from a herd that has a regular testing scheme in place. Also, some stud farms may require that your alpaca is TB tested before they will accept your female for mating.

TB testing is carried out by AgriQuality (MAF), and is very cheap compared to other veterinary procedures. Because TB testing is voluntary, it is not free, however AgriQuality charge on an hourly basis (or minutes, if you have a small herd), and their hourly charge is not excessive. You may have to pay travel time for the TB tester, and currently AgriQuality are considering adding an annual charge (per user) for the use of their database and record keeping, but this has not yet been finalised.

Because of its voluntary nature, it is up to you whether you participate in a scheme or not. If you have only two or three pets, which never travel, and do not come into contact with other alpacas, deer, cattle or possums, you may feel it is not an essential item of alpaca management. If however, you wish to travel alpacas at all (including travel for buying, selling and mating purposes), you may find it more convenient to have annual or regular testing, rather than spot checks prior to travel.

If you are cross grazing your alpacas with stock that require testing (such as deer or cattle), then it is an easy choice to have your alpacas tested at the same time as your other stock species.

Regular TB testing is normally annual, but if you live in an area that is considered high risk for TB, it may be more frequent (your AgriQuality technician should be able to advise you on this). All animals on a property should be tested at the same time - although immature stock (eg cria) are exempt from testingl. Testing requires an area on the alpaca's shoulder be shorn to a specified length, and a small injection given. (Alternatively, the test may be given in the area of bare skin behind the foreleg).The tester will return a few days later, and check to see if there has been any reaction in the form of a lump at the injection site. If all your stock is clear, you will be given a certificate to state this, which should also show how many years your stock has tested clear.

Because of the shearing requirement you will probably want to schedule your annual testing shortly after you have shorn your alpacas.