Ideal for: Bi-annual checks, new purchases or unwell animals
The Full MOT
The integral reset. Covering all the upkeep of the Mini MOT, plus your boosters and FEC testing to get their internal health back to baseline. We provide a total refresh to support long-term health for the year ahead
Includes:
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The Mini MOT
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The Service
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Halter & Restraint
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Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
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Fleece & Skin Check
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Eye Membrane Check
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Dental Check
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Oral Vitamin Supplementation
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Basic Limb & Gait Check
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Toenail Trim
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IM and SC Injections
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Faecal Egg Count Test
per alpaca
£75
£60 excluding FEC
Your alpaca will be calmly restrained using a halter and a gentle head hold to allow us to carry out checks safely and with minimal stress.
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is assessed by feeling fat and muscle coverage along an alpaca’s spine and ribs. This is a vital indicator of overall health, as issues can easily be hidden beneath thick fleece. Sudden changes in body condition may signal underlying problems, so it’s good to check regularly. We can also support you with long-term nutritional adjustments for animals that are underweight or overweight.
One of the first things we notice on an alpaca is whether overgrown fleece is affecting their vision. We have a bit of a catchphrase: “Let them see!” Where needed, we’ll trim excess fleece so your alpaca can see clearly, feel comfortable, and move with confidence - plus a fresh trim never hurts their looks!
We then carry out a general check of the skin and fleece, looking for irritation, parasites, or small injuries that can be hidden within the fibre. We also assess fleece condition and hygiene, noting any matting, discolouration, or abnormal fleece loss, which may point to underlying issues such as mite activity or nutritional imbalance. Catching these early helps you adjust their care before small problems have the chance to develop.
Eye membrane checks are carried out as they can be an early indicator of internal parasites, even in otherwise bright and healthy-looking animals. Because eye membranes can change quickly, it’s always worthwhile to check while animals are held. If we notice paleness, we can take an on-the-spot faecal sample for same-day parasite testing, giving you peace of mind and fast answers.
Dental checks are an important part of routine care, as good dental health is crucial for proper ruminant digestion. Occasionally, teeth can overgrow and interfere with normal eating behaviour. Older alpaca may naturally lose teeth over time and require an adapted diet to support their nutrition. During checks, we could also detect signs of dental infection or damage, which will require veterinary attention to prevent further complications.
Vitamin paste is a combined oral supplement containing vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K, which supports healthy development and maintenance. Alpaca in the UK require vitamin supplementation as our limited sunlight and diet alone often don't meet their needs. We administer the paste using a specialist dosing gun, ensuring accurate delivery in a quick, gentle manner. It’s placed towards the back of the mouth for safe and easy delivery - we find that some alpaca really enjoy the taste! If you have previously used an injectable vitamin, we are more than happy to assist with administering the injection; however, the suspension must be provided by yourselves.
For the limb and gait check, we observe your animal’s movement and examine limbs for any signs of stiffness, swelling, or injury. While checking legs, we often detect early signs of mites or other external parasites around their toes or hidden in armpits - we will be able to discuss this on a case-by-case basis. Early detection of complications allows us to give guidance on care or recommend veterinary support if necessary.
Regular toenail trimming helps an alpaca maintain healthy feet, proper gait, and overall comfort. Overgrown nails can lead to pain and mobility problems, making this a vital step in your alpaca’s care regimen. Cutting toenails can involve a lot of handling and patience, so the time can vary from 3 minutes to 20!
Injections are given to support your animals’ overall health and prevent disease. Injectable care may include booster vaccines, antibiotics, dewormers, or vitamin supplements. We always use gentle, precise techniques to ensure the process is quick and as stress-free as possible.
Each injection will be dosed individually. If you have an accurate weight for your animals, please let us know. If not, we have a scale for cria and use standardised estimates for various alpaca body types based on past research to achieve near-accurate results.
We can administer both subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, depending on what is prescribed.
Same Day FEC Test
A Faecal Egg Count (FEC) is a simple test that checks for internal parasites in your animals. By examining a small sample of faeces, we can identify parasite levels and provide guidance alongside your chosen vet, on whether treatment is needed. Regular FEC testing helps maintain gut health, prevent disease, and supports a targeted approach to parasite management rather than treating unnecessarily. FEC testing is recommended as it allows for early detection of infestations, can track the effectiveness of treatments, and helps protect your animals’ long-term wellness. Poo samples we take will be tested on the same day, and results will be shown or messaged to you within a few hours. (See preparation section for more details)
Please ensure there is a clean and dry working area for us to safely handle your alpaca. Mud doesn't hurt, but it can impede our work as we check for any abnormalities and rely on our balance. We don’t, however, expect you to control the weather!
We ask that you have your animals pre-sectioned either in a hurdled pen or shelter. We do not request the alpaca to be haltered before we arrive, as it can influence their responses and prevent them from presenting their most natural behaviour.
Medication to be injected should be vet-supplied by you prior to our visit and ready for us to use on the day. Some medications require refrigeration; ensure it is kept according to instructions - we have cooling supplies if required on sites.
Same Day FEC Test Preparation
Please collect any FEC samples as close to the time of testing as possible. 24 hours is the latest we work with.
When collecting the sample, aim for roughly 15-20 ‘nuggets’ of poo.
The sample can be contaminated by the ground or surrounding deposits, so ensure you collect from the areas of the pile that are not in contact with debris and interfering faeces.
Samples must be stored individually and labelled with the name or identification of your alpaca.
We find sandwich bags or dog poo bags to work well.
The samples should be refrigerated if they are being stored overnight.
We are able to collect samples in person if you are unable to grab them beforehand. However, the alpaca are not the biggest fans of this, as you can imagine, it is quite invasive!
Please let us know in advance if any animal has known handling difficulties or health concerns we should be aware of.
If an animal becomes distressed or a concern is identified that requires more time, we’ll discuss the next best steps with you. This may include upgrading a package or arranging a follow-up visit, whichever is best for yourselves and your alpaca.
We reserve the right to pause a handling session at any point for the welfare or safety of both your animals and ourselves. We will never push through if we believe anyone is at risk. This may include relocating the session to a safer space or stopping completely if any dangers arise.
We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt our techniques and calm anxious animals, but please be aware that some individuals may require a slower approach, with breaks or split visits. In these cases, attempting the “all-in-one” package may be detrimental to the animal’s welfare, and a staged approach could be safer and more effective.
This will be openly discussed and prioritises the safety and welfare of your animals.
We are always happy to discuss our findings with you as we go.
Any findings or recommendations will be noted and included in your follow-up email, along with guidance and ongoing care if needed.