08/30/2026
š¦ā¤ļø Caring for the Golden Oldies: Geriatric Alpaca & Llama Care
We have been raising alpacas since 2005, which means something pretty special is happening here at Double 8 Alpaca & Llama Ranchā¦
Some of the very first crias born from our original herd are now 19+ years old and still going strong!
Meet our Golden Oldies: Double 8 Mountain, Vicki Vale, Pride, Rio and Sky. ā¤ļø
So, how do we help our senior alpacas and llamas stay healthy and comfortable as they age?
One of the most important things we do is PUT OUR HANDS ON THEM!
All that beautiful fiber can hide weight loss. We weigh and body-condition score our herd monthly, paying especially close attention to our youngsters and seniors. A number on the scale is helpful, but physically feeling the spine, ribs and muscle coverage tells us even more.
š¦· Watch those teeth!
As camelids age, their teeth can wear down or develop dental problems that make chewing long-stem hay difficult. If one of our seniors starts losing weight or dropping feed, their mouth is one of the first things we investigate.
And this is important: we use a veterinarian who is experienced with CAMELID dentition. Camelid teeth are very different from horse teeth, and dental care needs to be appropriate for the individual animal.
If a senior can no longer adequately chew hay, we adjust the diet. We may soak grass pellets into a soft mash and feed that along with their daily camelid supplements.
š½ļø Sometimes Grandma needs her own table!
Older animals can drop lower in the herd hierarchy and may simply get pushed away from the feeder. If necessary, we separate our seniors at mealtime so we know exactly how much they are eatingāand so nobody else gobbles up their special ration!
For seniors having trouble maintaining weight, we gradually increase their nutrition based upon their individual needs. In our herd, that may include soaked grass pellets and up to 2 cups of Equine Senior added to their camelid ration twice daily.
šŖ± Stay ahead of parasites.
Young and geriatric animals deserve especially close monitoring. We routinely perform f***l exams, monitor FAMACHA and body condition, and use strategic parasite control rather than assuming that every thin animal simply āneeds deworming.ā
Knowing an animalās accurate weight is also extremely important when medication IS necessary.
š¦ Watch how they MOVE.
Aging isnāt only about weight. We watch for stiffness, reluctance to walk, difficulty getting into or out of the cush position, spending more time lying down, dropped fetlocks, or simply not keeping up with the herd like they once did.
Work closely with your veterinarian, especially if your senior isnāt moving the way they used to. Arthritis and chronic joint discomfort can significantly affect an older camelidās quality of lifeāand sometimes what looks like an animal simply āslowing downā may actually be pain.
Your veterinarian may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as meloxicam to help manage arthritis and keep your senior more comfortable and mobile. Because meloxicam is a prescription medication and long-term NSAID use requires veterinary oversight, the appropriate dose, duration and monitoring should always be determined by your veterinarian.
Keeping an older animal comfortable enough to get up, walk to the hay feeder, drink, graze and stay engaged with the herd is an important part of geriatric care. ā¤ļø
š Pay attention to the little changes.
Is an older animal suddenly hanging back from the herd?
Taking longer to get up?
Not coming to the feeder as quickly?
Dropping hay?
Drinking less?
Losing weight despite eating?
Growing fiber back more slowly after shearing?
These seemingly small changes can be important clues in a geriatric animal.
š§ Make life a little easier.
Our seniors should have easy access to clean water, feed, shelter and comfortable places to cush. We also keep a close eye on their feet and toenails and make adjustments when mobility becomes more difficult.
And perhaps most importantly, we donāt assume that weight loss, stiffness or slowing down is simply because ātheyāre old.ā We investigate WHY.
There isnāt one magic feeding program or supplement that keeps an alpaca or llama healthy into its late teens and twenties. Itās really about knowing your animals, establishing their normal, putting your hands on them regularly, working closely with your veterinarian and noticing changes EARLY.
Our senior citizens have earned a little extra TLC. ā¤ļø
After more than two decades of raising alpacas, there is something incredibly rewarding about looking out into the pasture and seeing some of the babies from our very first herd still out there enjoying life. Alpaca Owners Association, Inc.
