Get Set Alpaca Vet
Camelid Health Resources
For alpaca and llama enthusiasts
Dr Ami Sawran
BVSc CertAVP (CP) PgCert VPS PhD MRCVS
- Clinical Director, Westpoint Farm Vets, Chelmsford
- Farm animal veterinary surgeon
- Certificate in Advanced Camelid Practice
- Farm Executive Board - VetPartners
- Farm Animal Clinical Board - VetPartners
- 2023 Bright Minds - ‘Practice Game Changer’ Award Winner
Improving camelid health through education and clinical care.
Talks for Owners
Relatable, focused talks (online and in person) for farm teams, regional camelid owner groups and national societies.
Clinical Services
Second opinions, health planning, advice for vets, show vetting, farm planning and emergency care with the team at Westpoint Farm Vets
Veterinary Education
Seminars and practical teaching for vet students and veterinary colleagues hoping to improve confidence with camelids.
Why is Camelid Care Important?
Camelid care demands a mixture of veterinary skills; sick cria may require intensive neonatal care. Individual camelids can present with complex issues requiring advanced diagnostics. As herd animals, camelids are susceptible to many diseases that can circulate among traditional livestock, hence their herd management is the usual fare of farm vets.
Though awareness of their particular physiological peculiarities is growing, there is still room to improve health and husbandry here in the UK. I believe this is achievable with relatable, realistic owner education, and by empowering vets to use their existing skills to care for camelid patients, mindful of their physiology, history and specific requirements for an optimal quality of life.
Second Opinions
Based at the Coalyard Clinic in Chelmsford, I can provide second opinion consultations in collaboration with your vet.
Bookings can be made through the office on 01306 628 489.
Please note this is not an emergency service for clients not currently registered with our practice.
If you have an emergency, contact your vet.
CPD for Farm Vets
Online or live teaching sessions aimed at encouraging farm vets to apply their transferrable skills and knowledge to camelid medicine.
I believe in empowering vets with the tools for a successful camelid work-up, with relatable delivery, case scenarios and a comprehensive medicine formulary.
Pictured are some new graduates undertaking a diagnostic ultrasound practical.
Tutorials can be tailored to your desired subject(s) - to curate a session, please get in touch.
Camelid Care Course
New owner, prospective keeper or just brushing up?
For an online, modular course that you can take at your own pace, look no further than the Basic Camelid Care course on FarmIQ.
The course I have constructed will provide resources that you can print and customise for your farm, instructional videos and presentations to help guide you through husbandry, routine care and basic on-farm health planning..
Scientific and Media Publications
As well as publications in scientific journals, detailing current research and case reports, I write regularly for both the veterinary and owner/farmer focused press on a variety of topics.
Preventative Care - Country Smallholder
Owner Talks
I believe that vets have an integral role in farming communities.
I have enjoyed vetting halter shows, sponsoring classes and even helping out as a handler.
I have presented various talks to owners online, including webinars for the Eastern Alpaca Group, The British Alpaca Society and the Mourne Alpacas Seminar Series.
Our practice also hosts practical sessions to ensure owners are prepared for unpacking.
If you would like to discuss a talk for your local or regional group, please get in touch.
Speaking, Training and Teaching
Some examples
2023 Camelid Conference, Vienna
Presenting an update on my study into Inflammatory Bowel Disease in camelids, with a case report on histological analysis of post mortem specimens. I also presented an update on the 2023 Nunoa Project trip.
2023 Nunoa Project, Peru
I travelled to Nunoa to support farm operations and educational opportunities for local alpaca farmers. I learned of the origins and challenges of alpaca farming in the area. I performed pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, examined animals and as a team, provided advice to optimise herd health.
2023 Farm Animal Veterinary Society Congress, Bristol
Presenting a crash course in Day One camelid skills to farm-focused veterinary students.
2023 International Camelid Health Conference, Online
Presenting the outcome of a student-led research project on worming habits and anthelmintic use in the UK.
2021 and 2022 - ‘Camelids for Cattle Vets’ at BCVA, Birmingham
For two years running I presented camelid focused workshops to empower farm vets to utilise their transferrable skills in other species to cater to camelids. It is important to me that more vets feel comfortable managing camelid cases - both from an animal and veterinary welfare perspective.
2022 British Alpaca Society, Online
An interactive webinar detailing injection techniques and medicine handling tips for alpaca owners.
2020 Eastern Alpaca Group, Essex
A practical unpacking course for owners, involving theory, preparation, birthing techniques and early cria care.
2020 Mourne Alpacas Alpaca Academy, Online
Webinar sessions to an international audience, detailing Cria Care and how to handle Common Camelid Ailments.
Media Enquiries
For camelid specific veterinary video content
GetSetAlpacaVet on TikTok
For any further information or to enquire about support
Send me an email
