Talks
Relatable, focused talks (online and in person) for farm teams, regional camelid owner groups and national societies.
Get Set Vet
Camelid Health Resources
For alpaca and llama enthusiasts.
Improving camelid health through education and clinical care.
Dr Ami Sawran
BVSC MSC PHD CERTAVP (CP) PGCERT VPS FRCVS
- Clinical Director, Westpoint Farm Vets, Chelmsford
- Farm animal veterinary surgeon
- Advanced Practitioner in Camelid Practice
- Senior Vice President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons
- Farm Executive Board — VetPartners
- 2023 Bright Minds — ‘Practice Game Changer’ Award Winner
Veterinary Education
Seminars and practical teaching for vet students and veterinary colleagues hoping to improve confidence with camelids.
Clinical Services
Second opinions, health planning, advice for vets, show vetting, farm planning and emergency care with the team at Westpoint Farm Vets.
Clinical perspective
Why is camelid care important?
Camelid care demands a mixture of veterinary skills; sick cria may require intensive neonatal care, and 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.
Clinical resource
The Camelid Formulary
A practical, evidence-based reference for camelid medicines, dosages and prescribing notes. Used by farm vets and camelid clinicians across the UK, it is kept up to date and freely available on the VetPartners Clinical Insights hub.
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.
Please note this is not an emergency service for clients not currently registered with our practice. If you have an emergency, contact your vet.
01306 628 489CPD for Farm Vets
Online or live teaching sessions aimed at encouraging farm vets to apply their transferrable skills and knowledge to camelid medicine — with relatable delivery, case scenarios and a comprehensive medicine formulary.
Tutorials can be tailored to your desired subject(s) — to curate a session, please get in touch.
Book CPDCamelid Care Course
New owner, prospective keeper or just brushing up? An online, modular course you can take at your own pace, with printable resources you can customise for your farm, instructional videos and presentations covering husbandry, routine care and basic on-farm health planning.
Basic Camelid Care on FarmIQFor owners
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.
Camelid writing
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.
Some examples
Camelid speaking, training and teaching
2025
Estonian Veterinary Chamber, VetMed25 — Tallinn
Three talks to European veterinarians on camelid care.
2025
British Alpaca Society Owners Conference — UK
Camelid health planning.
2025
British Veterinary Association Live — London
Emergency triage of camelids.
2021, 22, 24, 25
‘Camelids for Cattle Vets’ at BCVA
Camelid focused workshops empowering farm vets to use their transferrable skills for camelid patients — for both animal and veterinary welfare.
2023
Camelid Conference, Vienna
An update on my study into Inflammatory Bowel Disease in camelids, with a case report on histological analysis of post mortem specimens, plus an update on the 2023 Nunoa Project trip.
2023
International Camelid Health Conference, Online
The outcome of a student-led research project on worming habits and anthelmintic use in the UK.
2023
Nunoa Project, Peru
Supporting farm operations and educational opportunities for local alpaca farmers — pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, animal examinations and herd health advice.
2023
Farm Animal Veterinary Society Congress, Bristol
A crash course in Day One camelid skills for farm-focused veterinary students.
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 — theory, preparation, birthing techniques and early cria care.
2020
Mourne Alpacas Alpaca Academy, Online
Webinar sessions to an international audience on cria care and common camelid ailments.
Enquiries
Clinical support, CPD, talks and media
I have stage, presenting, pre-recorded television, online media, live radio and live television experience, and am happy to take enquiries for appearances pertaining to farm veterinary work in the UK, including all aspects of camelid (llama and alpaca) health care. All work is booked via Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford, where I am based.