Induction of parturition in alpacas and subsequent survival of neonates

Objective - To evaluate use of fluprostenol, dexamethasone, and oxytocin for induction of parturition in alpacas, and to determine viability of the newborn crias. Design - Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Animals - 36 pregnant alpacas within 10 days of parturition. Procedure - Animals were randomly assigned to treatment groups. Plasma progesterone and plasma and urine estrone sulfate concentrations were measured for 5 days after treatment. Clinical signs of the neonates were determined. Results - Time between treatment and parturition was significantly shorter for animals that received fluprostenol than for animals in any other group. The highest dose of dexamethasone (0.5 mg) caused fetal death. None of the other treatments induced early parturition. Time between birth and first suckling, body weight, rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate at birth and serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth were not different between crias born after fluprostenol treatment and crias born to control alpacas. Clinical Implications - Fluprostenol was effective at inducing parturition in these alpacas, but dexamethasone and oxytocin were not. Crias born after fluprostenol treatment were similar to crias born to control alpacas.