Animal Health

Disorders of the digestive system are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in New World camelids, accounting for approximately one quarter of both fatal and nonfatal illnesses in these species. In spite of our recognition of the importance of these disorders, the number of reports on the diseases of this system is still relatively small, and some important, common disorders remain sketchily described, if at all, in the primary scientific literature. Veterinarians presented with a sick camelid often are forced to extrapolate from experiences with other species to determine whether the disorders are gastrointestinal (GI) in origin, to establish lists of differential diagnoses, and to formulate diagnostic and treatment plans. more »

Alpacas are members of a family that comprise the old and new world camelids. As a group, they all have very similar digestive systems adapted for digesting lower protein plant materials. They have three gut compartments before the intestines. Humans (primates) have one – the simple stomach. Cows, a true ruminant, have four “stomachs”. Like alpacas, cows are classified as ruminants as they chew their cud. Horses are not ruminants as they lack a rumen and do not chew their cud. more »