The Digestive System of the Llama and Alpaca

The Digestive System of the Llama and Alpaca Dr. Melissa Bruski Dr. Christine Malinowski

Normal Digestive System Unique Characteristics ® Foregut fermentation ® Rumination

The Upper GI Ø Lips Ø Tongue Ø Nares

The Upper GI Ø Teeth Ø Incisors Ø Cheek Teeth Ø Llamas vs. Alpacas

GI “Compartments” Ø C 1 Ø Cranial sac Ø Caudal sac Ø Nomenclature Ø C 2 = C 1, C 2, & C 3

GI “Compartments” Ø C 3 Tubular and glandular Ø p. H changes Ø Permanent & nonpermanent folds Ø Ø Contraction Ø cycles Duration ~2 minutes each

Lower GI Components Ø Adaptions feed to poor Urea recycling Ø Nutrient absorption Ø Ø Overfeeding is dependent on the quality of forage I’m supposed to eat this? ?

Lower GI Components Ø Small intestine Ø Almost 12 m long Cecum is midline running into pelvic inlet (10 cm x 5 cm) Ø Large intestine Ø Spiral w/ many coils Ø Diameter from 5 cm 2 cm Ø Ø Colon

Signs of GI Disease ® anorexia ® dysphagia ® regurgitation ® emesis ® abdominal distension ® ileus ® atony ® colic

Anorexia ® Internal factors ® oral or pharyngeal ulcers ® dental pain ® colic ® gastritis ® External factors ® unsuitable feed ® psychologic ostracism

Dysphagia ® Presents as: drooling of saliva ® retention of feed in the oral cavity ® fetid odor originating from the oral cavity ® gagging/retching ®

Dysphagia ® Due to: pharyngitis/esophagitis ® pharyngeal abscesses or tumors ® esophageal obstruction ® stomach overload ® bloat ® congenital defects ® ® ® choanal atresia cleft soft palate

Abdominal Distension ® Causes: ® excessive fat ® excessive gas ® accumulation of feces ® advanced pregnancy ®A thorough physical will help determine the cause. ® A thorough rectal is not possible.

Ileus ® Dynamic ® spastic ® ® constriction around feces paralytic ® intrinsic disorder of GI motility ® Mechanical peritoneal adhesions ® tumors ® torsions ® internal hernias ®

Ileus ® Post-operatively peritonitis ® ischemia ® overstretching ® ® ® ingesta gas

Regurgitation ® May be voluntary threat ® defense ® ® Esophageal or laryngopharyngeal stimulation ® Passive anesthesia ® recumbancy ®

Emesis ® Due to the elongated soft palate it is very common for ingesta to pass into the nasal cavity. ® ® rhinitis obstruction aspiration pneumonia Causes: ® ® ® C 1 overload gastritis diaphragmatic hernia partial esophageal obstruction poisonous plant ingestion

Stomach Atony ® Usually affects C 1 -C 2 ® Causes: grain overload ® indigestion ® feed changes ® prolonged antibiotic therapy ® spoiled feed ® gastric ulcers ® obstruction ®

Stomach Atony ® Presents as: decreased or complete cessation of food consumption ® loss of body condition ® depression ® may see other GI signs ® ® Diagnosis: ® Lack of C 1 sounds

Stomach Atony ® Treatment: treat primary disease ® supportive care ® ® 3 -5 days of anorexia may cause death of rumen flora so transfaunation may become necessary.

Transfaunation ® 0. 5 -1 L of camelid C 1, or strained sheep or cow, rumen contents is administered to aid in regrowth of rumen flora.

Colic ® very stoic about pain ® signs: teeth grinding ® rolling ® kicking at belly ® anorexia ® depression ® pained facial expression ®

Ulcers ® usually a secondary problem ® most common in the acid secreting distal portion of C 3 and proximal duodenum ® may be partial or complete thickness

Ulcers ® Presents with: decreased food consumption ® intermittent to severe colic ® depression ® ® May also have: secondary pneumonia ® peritonitis ®

Ulcers ® Etiology: unknown ® stress? ? ® ® Diagnosis ® no good pre-mortem test available

Ulcers ® Treatment: Resolve primary problem ® Stress reduction ® Sucralfate ® Omeprazole ® H-2 blockers ® ® ® cimetidine/ranitidine Supportive ® ® fluid therapy prophylactic antibiotics

Selected Bibliography ® Fowler, Murray E. , DVM. Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids: Llama, Alpaca, Vicuna, Guanaco, 1 st edition. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1989. ® http: //www. mazuri. com/llamalink. htm ® http: //www. purdyvet. com ® http: //www. merckvetmanual. com ® Johnson, La. Rue W. Update on llama medicine. Philadelphia : Saunders, 1994.

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