CPB 69700 RESEARCH
SEMINAR
Kathy Johnson, BS
CPB Graduate Student in Parasitology
Purdue University
“Seasonal Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Parasites
Of Naturally Infected Alpacas In Indiana”
Thurs., April 30, 2009
VPTH 112
3:30 pm
ABSTRACT:
Alpacas, Lama pacos, have increased in
popularity in the United States over the past fifteen years. Their gentle dispositions, low feeding costs
and high selling prices for quality breeding-age males and females has led to
an increased demand for alpacas. Due to these qualities, owners from various
backgrounds are now raising alpacas, including those with limited farm
experience. Most of the information regarding alpacas comes from South America,
where the climate is different from that of Indiana and the Midwest, and where
there is a different style of farm management.
The dry climate and free-ranging lifestyle of alpacas in South America
help keep gastrointestinal (GI) nematode and protozoal parasite infections to a
minimum. In South America, alpacas are typically grazed on large sections of
land, and are not confined in pastures or locked up at night, as they are in
the Midwest. Alpacas kept in herds with
a high stocking density and on limited pasture have a greater risk of ingesting
oocysts and eggs from GI parasites due to an increase in exposure to feces. The
goals of this research are twofold. The first goal is to gain a
better understanding of the types of GI parasites and the infection levels of
naturally infected healthy alpacas living in Indiana, and the effects that
seasonal changes have on the prevalence of GI parasites. The second goal of
this research is to reduce the frequency with which anthelmintics (dewormers)
are used on the farms. Dewormer resistance is a major problem in the sheep and
goat industry, and there is growing concern over resistance affecting the
camelid industry. Examining herd management practices used on each farm may
help in devising techniques that work best in preventing or at least minimizing
infection and re-infection with GI parasites. Since there are no approved
dewormers for use in alpacas and the threat of resistance is present, proper
husbandry practices have become crucial in the fight against GI parasites.