Coccidiosis is a common and potentially serious parasitic disease that affects alpacas and other livestock animals. It is caused by microscopic protozoan parasites called coccidia that attack the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Coccidiosis can have devastating effects on alpaca health and productivity if left unchecked. Fortunately, with proper identification, prevention and treatment strategies, coccidiosis can be effectively managed.
What is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease caused by infection with one or more species of coccidia, single-celled protozoan parasites from the genus Eimeria. There are numerous Eimeria species that can infect alpacas, with E. alpacae and E. macusaniensis being the most common.
Coccidia have a direct lifecycle, meaning they must infect the host animal to reproduce. An infected animal sheds unsporulated oocysts in its feces, which must sporulate outside the body to become infective. Other alpacas ingest the sporulated oocysts while grazing or eating contaminated feed or water. Inside the intestine, each oocyst releases sporozoites that invade the cells lining the intestine. Here, they undergo several rounds of asexual reproduction, forming schizonts which rupture the host cells and release more merozoites to continue the cycle. This damages the intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption. Some merozoites develop into male and female gametes which fuse to form oocysts that are shed in the feces, continuing the parasite’s lifecycle.
Heavy oocyst ingestion can overwhelm the immune system and cause clinical coccidiosis with symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia and even death in severe cases. Younger animals are especially vulnerable as they lack immunity. Subclinical infections may impair growth and feed efficiency without obvious symptoms.
Identifying Coccidiosis in Alpacas
Identifying coccidiosis requires laboratory testing of fecal samples, as clinical signs are not specific. The best tests are fecal flotation to detect oocysts and fecal smears to find developmental stages.
Clinical Signs
Coccidiosis symptoms can include:
- Diarrhea – from mild to severe, may contain mucus or blood
- Dehydration
- Weight loss or reduced weight gain
- Lethargy and weakness
- Poor haircoat
- Decreased appetite or anorexia
- Straining or painful defecation
- Fever (uncommon)
- Death in untreated cases
However, signs may be absent in subclinical disease. Concurrent problems like parasites can also cause diarrhea. Clinical signs alone are insufficient to diagnose coccidiosis.
Fecal Testing
Fecal flotation and smear exams are needed to detect coccidia stages and confirm diagnosis. Here’s how vets check alpaca feces for coccidiosis:
- Flotation uses solutions like zinc sulfate to float oocysts from feces for microscopic identification. Finds oocysts shed in feces.
- Smears lightely smear fecal matter on a slide for staining and microscopic examination. Finds developmental stages like merozoites.
Fecal exams should check both symptomatic and asymptomatic animals, as parasite shedding precedes illness. Screening during environment changes or transport stress is also recommended. Testing multiple samples increases accuracy since shedding is sporadic.
Preventing Coccidiosis in Alpacas
Prevention focuses on breaking the parasite’s lifecycle and supporting immune function. Measures include:
Reduce Oocyst Ingestion
- Sanitation – Regularly remove feces from pens and pastures to eliminate parasitic oocysts.
- Reduce stocking density – Overcrowding increases oocyst ingestion and disease transmission.
- Separation by age – House crias separately from older animals to limit exposure to high oocyst loads.
- Rotate pastures – Rest pastures between grazings to allow oocysts to die off.
- Clean feed and water – Prevent contamination from feces.
Support Immune Function
- Reduce stress – Stress impairs immunity against coccidia. Avoid overcrowding, transport, weather extremes, weaning, diet changes etc.
- Probiotics – Beneficial gut bacteria promote intestinal health and may inhibit coccidial reproduction. Oral probiotics can be given preventatively.
- Good nutrition – Meet all nutritional requirements to support immune defences. Crias need sufficient colostrum immediately after birth.
- Vaccines – Some farms vaccinate animals at risk to promote immunity against Eimeria.
- Avoid immunosuppressants – Limit antibiotic use to prevent inhibiting immune function.
- Coccidiostat feed additives – Low-dose medications like decoquinate, lasalocid, monensin can be mixed in feed to control coccidia. Should not replace good management.
With diligent prevention programs, coccidiosis can often be controlled without medication. However, outbreaks still occur and require prompt treatment.
Treating Coccidiosis in Alpacas
If coccidiosis is diagnosed, both the sick animal and entire herd must be treated. Options include:
Coccidiocidal Drugs
Medications that kill coccidia organisms:
- Sulfonamides – sulfa drugs like sulfadimethoxine are commonly used in oral suspensions.
- Amprolium – inhibits parasite reproduction.
- Toltrazuril – effective prescription treatment, may require multiple doses.
These drugs work best early in infection before significant intestinal damage occurs. They eliminate coccidia from the alpaca but do not prevent reinfection.
Coccidiostat Drugs
Medications that inhibit coccidia reproduction:
- Decoquinate – commonly used oral coccidiostat.
- Lasalocid – added to feed to reduce oocyst shedding.
- Monensin – another feed additive coccidiostat.
Low-level use enables the alpaca’s immune system to develop resistance while limiting clinical disease. Must be alternated or cycled to prevent drug resistance.
Supportive Care
Supportive therapies help manage symptoms:
- Fluid therapy – Corrects dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Probiotics – Restore beneficial gut flora.
- Nutritional support – Highly digestible feeds and vitamin supplements aid recovery.
- Anti-inflammatories – Reduce intestinal inflammation and pain.
Isolation, sanitation and stress reduction should continue during treatment. Fecal exams should confirm elimination of infection. Recovered animals can still carry immunity and remain productive.
With prompt treatment guided by veterinary oversight, the long-term prognosis for alpacas with coccidiosis is often favorable. However prevention through proactive herd health management is always preferable to treat disease after the fact. Following sound biosecurity and husbandry practices remains the best way to safeguard alpacas from coccidiosis.
To learn more about protecting your alpaca herd, see this helpful resource on common alpaca parasites. Knowledge and vigilance are an alpaca owner’s best defences against coccidia and other dangerous parasites.
