How to Treat Anemia in Alpacas Without a Blood Transfusion

Approximately 80,000 alpacas are registered in the United States. Alpacas make fun pets because they have gentle demeanors, but they are bred primarily for their fibers. Anemia, a condition caused by unusually low iron levels, is a common problem in alpacas. Luckily, blood transfusions for anemia are rarely necessary, and most alpacas can be treated without any type of surgical procedure or intervention.

Things You'll Need

  • Red cell
  • Iron supplement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your alpaca to the veterinarian and have a blood panel done to rule out the possibility of a secondary infection. An anemic alpaca may also suffer from an infection called Mycoplasma Haemolama, which your veterinarian will need to treat as soon as possible.

    • 2

      Give your alpaca Red Cell, a highly effective vitamin and mineral supplement. Red Cell is a liquid medication that was created primarily for horses (see Reference 2), but its high iron content makes it a good supplement for other anemic animals. You can purchase Red Cell at any feed store, or you can obtain it from your veterinarian.

    • 3

      Give your alpaca an iron supplement. Chase Tavern Farm suggests feeding alpacas a "weekly supplementation of Iron Dextran for the heavy duty Iron boost" (see Reference 1). Iron dextran is one of the most common medications for treating anemia in alpacas; a trained veterinarian can administer iron dextran by injecting it into an alpaca's muscle tissue.