Today we gave Vitamin D shots to all the alpaca cria born this year and last year. Now the dark skies are here it is important to maintain Vitamin D.

In talking with our local vet Tara Timpson I discover this is the time of year (December to March) that there appears to be a seasonal incidence of low phosphorous related to Vitamin D production. She occasionally sees hypophosphotemia especially when related to Vitamin D deficiency, usually alpacas manufacture this themselves when there is plenty of sunlight.

Tara tells me there is some debate whether the problem is due to a decreased ability in alpacas ability to absorb dietary vitamin D or synthesize endogenous Vitamin D.

The feed we have milled also contains a Vitamin D supplement. So I confident we have this issue covered.

By Adrian Stewart