Always use a clean, new syringe:  Do not leave old used syringes lying around.  They may be mistaken for new ones and used by mistake with the risk of contamination.  Use appropriately sized syringes for the dose you are going to administer.  Don’t use a 20 ml syringe if you are going to administer a 2 ml dose.  You won’t be able to give an accurate amount.  Open them just before using and be efficient.

Always use a clean, new needle:  And keep it that way.  Needles can become quickly contaminated from the debris of the barn.  Needles used multiple times become dull and carry the risk of cross infecting your alpacas.  Always, dispose of needles properly in a sharps container.

Limit storage of multi-dose vials:  Vaccines from multi-dose vials should be used as soon as possible.  Many adverse reactions are the result of large vials stored for a prolonged period of time.  If you need 20 doses, buy two 10-dose vials rather than a 50-dose vial.  Even though they contain preservatives, the 50-dose vial that had only 20 doses removed is not likely to be sterile when you come back six month to a year later for another round.

Understand the Correct Route of Administration:  Preferably, give vaccinations sub-Q rather than IM.  IM administration increases the likelihood of adverse reaction due to accidental IV administration.  Most vaccine reactions are sterile abscesses that break and drain.  Although these are unsightly, one that breaks and drains from just under the skin is far less likely to cause a problem than one that breaks from deep within a muscle.

Make sure you are not in a vein or artery:  Pull back slightly on the plunger and look for any appearance of blood in the syringe.  If you see red, choose another site and try again.  When even a small amount of vaccine is administered in a vein or artery, a reaction can occur.  If the animal jumps around, re-check your position before injecting.

Administer in a clean site:  Ask your vet or an experienced alpaca owner for the best areas on the animal to administer injections.  Part the fiber to see the skin.  Inject only in a area where the skin is clean.  To successfully administer a sub-Q injection, hold the needle at an angle, almost parallel to the skin and with the bevel of the needle facing up, insert the needle just under the skin.

Avoid using multi-dose syringes for multiple injections: This scenario is more likely to cause a problem due to cross-contamination.  Use a syringe appropriately sized for the dose you will be administering to one animal.  Once the dose is given, discard the syringe and needle.

Store vaccines correctly:  Absolutely follow all label storage conditions.  Vaccinations are usually stored in a refrigerator, or at a minimum, in a cool, dark place.  Be mindful of the expiration dating and do not use beyond the labeled date.  If you do, you are taking a risk that the vaccine will be sub-potent and/or not effective.  Purchase only from reputable suppliers.  They are more likely to ship correctly and send you fresh vaccines.  You get what you pay for.

Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas | Tim & Beth Sheets | Flora, IN | www.OurHeritageFarm.com

Understand the risk: There are no labeled (USDA approved) vaccines for camelids so ALL vaccines are used extra-label.  Even though the use of many are well documented by experienced camelid vets, you assume the risk in giving them.  Dr. Anderson has stated that “far more camelids have been helped by the vaccines than have ever been hurt by them, but that does not mean there are any guarantees”.

Ten Tips for Giving Vaccinations