02/10/2023
DON'T KILL YOUR ALPACAS! ‼
What happens in vitamin D toxicity? ❓❓❓
There are no fewer than 4 publications describing vitamin D toxicity in alpacas. In the camelid publication world, this is actually quite a lot of publications on a single topic, suggesting that vitamin D toxicity due to overzealous supplementation is a real issue! It is always iatrogenic – meaning that humans have caused it by an action they’ve done. ☹️
If vitamin D supplementation is excessive, this results in excessive mobilisation of the bone minerals calcium and phosphorus by increasing absorption in the intestines, and reabsorption by the kidneys and from bone. The net result is high circulating calcium and phosphorus and after a certain point, the body ends up mineralising soft tissues of the body. This occurs in particularly well-vascularised areas of the body like the kidneys, blood vessels, lining of the stomach, lungs and the heart. These changes result in organ failure, particularly of the kidneys and usually death. In some cases in alpacas, major blood vessels have also ruptured and there has been obvious mineralisation of the stomach. ☠️
Most of the publications in which alpacas died from vitamin D overdosing received extremely high doses of vitamin D – from 12,000 to 79,000 IU/kg – given via oral or injectable vitamin D supplements, and also colostral supplements containing high levels of vitamin D. These were mostly accidental overdoses due to dose miscalculations but also failure to know the vitamin D content of the supplements being used. However, in one publication, an alpaca died having been administered 500,000 IU of vitamin, equivalent to 6666 IU/kg based on a weight of 75kg. This dose had been advised by other breeders elsewhere in the world, provided twice, 2 months apart and 5 months later the alpaca suffered a late term abortion followed by rupture of the renal arteries and rupture of the kidney due to the mineralised shard of the renal artery stabbing the kidney.
We know that providing vitamin D supplementation between 1000 and 2000 IU/kg increases vitamin D concentrations safely and effectively prevents rickets in growing crias. We know that these levels last for about 2 months in crias, and a bit longer in adults. I have confirmed sufficient vitamin D concentrations in alpacas following supplementation using the last two products that have been widely available here in the UK (Bioveta ADE-vit and Belavit ADE). Please do not risk killing your alpacas by using doses that are not required or known to be safe using the products that we have available.
[I am aware that there is differing advice in Australia and NZ. This may be due to the characteristics of the products available in those countries. For those in the northern hemisphere, please stick to safe dosages recommended here and in my post earlier in the week. Products in North America and Europe are similar.]
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