New World camels - help with health problems
New World camels belong to the camel family. They occur in South America in wild form (guanaco, vicuña), as well as in livestock (llama, alpaca). In recent years, llamas and alpacas have been increasingly kept as hobby and recreational animals by private owners or in larger herds on farms in Europe, including Austria.
New World camels are generally considered to be very hardy. However, if health problems occur, they can assume considerable proportions. For example, diseases affecting llamas and alpacas - when kept together with other livestock (e.g. small ruminants) - can also be transmitted to them.
In consultation with your veterinarian, our Animal Health Business Unit can assist you in clarifying health-related farm problems and offers numerous examinations for New World camels.
Molecular biological testing (PCR)
- Bluetongue disease (EDTA blood, organs)
- Malignant catarrhal fever (nasal swabs, EDTA blood, organs)
- Pestivirus/BVD (whole blood, EDTA blood, organs, abortus material)
- Schmallenberg infection: organs, abortus material, whole blood, EDTA blood
- various poxviruses (skin lesions)
- Chlamydia/Coxiellen/Neospora (abortus material)
- Toxoplasma gondii (organs, abortus material)
- Mycobacterium sp. (altered organs, lymph nodes, swabs)
Prices on request: preisauskunft_VET@ages.at
Testing laboratory
Tests for New World camels are carried out by the Institute for Veterinary Testing in Mödling.
You can find the examination request form here. Select the form under ‘General Examination Request’.
Further information on the range of tests available can be found in the information leaflet under ‘Animal Health’.
Last updated: 16.07.2026
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