Screening for consistent alpaca quality

Screening is one of those things that people know exists but they are unaware of the details. Two forms are completed for each animal - the Physical Examination Screening Checklist and the Phenotype Characteristics Evaluation, both forming part of the BAS rules and regulations. They set out characteristics to be checked and indicate whether any deviation, such as a twisted tale or cataracts is deemed a disqualifying trait. A qualified vet who is used to dealing with camelids conducts the physical examination and a phenotyper checks the phenotype characteristics or physical conformation. However, it is one thing to read these details on the form but another to know what actually happens during the screening.

Recently, I was able to see for myself when I assisted in the screening of a group of 75 animals being quarantined in the small village of Aeschi, near Berne in Switzerland before being imported into the UK.

My role was to ensure that all the paperwork was in order, properly completed and signed. Simple! I was looking forward to a couple of leisurely days in the Swiss Alps. Little did I realise just how much hard work was involved. We did stop once to take photos of the wonderful mountain view when the clouds cleared but otherwise it was a case of finishing the records for one animal before quickly finding those for the next. Was I glad that I had prepared all the forms in advance.

Preventing an escape bid The animals were housed in a barn with the only way out through a sliding door. They were forced to walk onto a weighing machine with a hay rack on one side and a hurdle on the other. My task was to stand beyond the scales to stop any escape bids. First the microchip and ear tag were checked against those on the form. I then recorded the weight and the height at the withers. Most of the animals were very calm and stood still while all this was going on. Others did themselves no favours by refusing to stand upright but we got them all to co-operate eventually.

First hurdle Weight and height are the first criteria on which an animal can fail. The minimum weight allowed is 47 kg and minimum height is 81 mm. However, even those which failed to meet these criteria were still screened for other characteristics as a purely practical measure because they may not have to be completely rescreened if they put on weight or grow a bit later.

Fibre quality The quality of the animal's fleece could not be checked on the spot. The fineness of the fleece varies over different parts of the body so, in order for measurements to be consistent, a four-inch square sample was taken from the middle of the right flank. I took this sample, split it in half (vertically) and put each in a bag labelled with the animal's tag number. When I got home, one sample was sent for testing at Yocam MaColl Fibre Testing and the other kept by BAS as a back up in case of any queries.

First veterinary check The first things that the vet checked were the animal's head, neck, spine and tail. He made sure they were straight with no deformities. With one animal, even I noticed something strange. It turned out that its tail had a 360-degree twist in it - a bit like a pig's curly tail. The vet also felt across the top of the spine to determine whether the animal was thin, optimum or overweight. He checked whether its back was dipped, humped or straight, in which case it met the criterion. A general examination then showed up any other abnormalities. The final check at this stage was with the stethoscope looking for heart murmurs or respiratory problems.

An undignified moment Each animal then went through a rather undignified manoeuvre as it was turned on it back. Most were co-operative but one decided to be difficult. Every time it was touched, it simply sat down! Turning an animal over from that position is not easy. However, having got it on its back, the vet checked whether the females had more than four teats (a disqualifying characteristic) and, for the males, the size and consistency of the testicles. Taking advantage of the animal's immobility, he also checked for luxating patellas (floating knee caps to you and me) and hernias.

Getting its own back The animals were then allowed back on their feet but the examination had not finished. Both nostrils have to be working normally and the eyes must be clear. What better way to check the breathing than by putting your face near the nostril. It works every time. Unfortunately, one animal decided to make it a bit more interesting by spitting in the vet's eye. At least it was only spittle!

In bright sunlight, an alpaca's pupils close, just like ours, and it is very difficult to see inside to check for cataracts. To overcome this, the vet placed a blanket over the animal's head and disappeared underneath. The pupil dilates in the dark and he could then shine a light inside for his inspection.

Just the teeth to go The last physical examination was the teeth. Alpacas only have teeth in the lower jaw and these meet on a soft dental pad in the upper one. I learnt a lot about alpaca teeth and how they should touch the front of the pad. I also learned some long words. Some animals showed superior brachygnathism. I would have had to look that up in the dictionary if I hadn't been told that it meant undershot jaw. To qualify, the teeth must not protrude more than 5 mm beyond the dental pad. In some animals, the teeth had deformed the palate so that it curved upwards at the front rather than being flat and 'horizontal'. One animal still had its baby (or deciduous) teeth in place with the new ones growing inside. She was not disqualified as the baby teeth could be removed, although I learnt that they are a bit like icebergs - 10 per cent showing with 90 per cent in the jaw. I'm glad I'm not an alpaca dentist!

The phenotype examination The next checks were physical conformation, with each characteristic scored in relation to the standard. Below the standard, points were deducted and above, the animal gained points.

The phenotype examination began by making sure that head, muzzle and ears were a normal shape. Faults with the ears, such as 'banana shape', are illustrated on the form. A body score of thin, optimum or somewhat overweight would meet the criteria but 20 points were lost for excessive thinness and 15 for obesity.

A very dense fleece gains extra points. One male had a particularly dense fleece and there were a number of females where the crimp and lustre were magnificent and the fibre was very fine. They would have been great for hand spinning.

Walking up and down The animal was then persuaded to walk up and down a penned area. Both vet and phenotyper checked the leg conformation, the animal's balance and whether it was in the correct proportions. Here, I learnt about sickle-hocked and cow-hocked legs and about splayed toes.

Mums and babies Generally, the animals were extremely calm and well behaved although some of the pregnant females had complained extremely loudly. I expected the same from the mothers who were separated from their cria while being checked. They surprised me by behaving impeccably and all the babies soon found their way back to mother.

When I agreed to help with the screening, I knew I had to keep the paperwork in order and deal with the fibre samples and I was well prepared for that. I didn't know that I was going to get quite so close to the alpacas but I was very happy to do so. However, next time I will take a boilersuit. My best fleece jacket hasn't been quite the same since!