Kerala, India
The llama and the alpaca are not ruminants but pseudoruminants. Pseudoruminants chew their cud similar to that seen in ruminant animals like cows, sheep, goats, and deer. However, the distinguishing factor between ruminants and pseudoruminants is the stomach, or perhaps more appropriately, the number of compartments in their stomachs. Ruminants have a single stomach with four compartments while the pseudoruminant has only three – Compartment I, Compartment II and Compartment III.
Compartment I is “almost” analogous to the rumen in a ruminant – “almost” being the important qualifier. The rumen is lined with finger-like projections called papillae. These papillae absorb volatile fatty acids (VFA) which are excretory products produced by the synergistic microbial population. Compartment I found in South American camelids does not have papillae. It does have the same synergistic microbial population; however, the walls of Compartment I are lined with gastric pits. The gastric pits produce digestive enzymes and buffers that aid in microbial fermentation. The VFA produced by the microbes are absorbed through the walls of Compartment I and the top four fifths of Compartment III. The second compartment, Compartment II, is a further source of glandular secretions used in the digestive process. Compartment II also is the location of the residual esophageal groove that directs milk from the mouth of the nursing cria to Compartment III. Compartment III is a long tubular organ, the top four fifths secreting glandular secretions as well as mucous. The bottom fifth of this last compartment is the true or gastric stomach – that part analogous to the stomach of any non-ruminant or the abomasum of the ruminant. This portion of the stomach produces the hydrochloric acid and proteolytic enzymes critical in the digestion process.
Even though they are called pseudoruminants, some of the digestive upsets found in ruminants are rare in the camelid species. Camelids can develop lactic acidosis, but they have to overeat a very large amount of grain, and clinical symptoms may not occur for 12-36 hours after gorging themselves. Bloat too is possible, but rare in camelids. Colic is a digestive disorder associated with horses, but colic can also occur in pseudoruminants. Ruminants are not as expressive of pain as horses or camelids, and if a llama or alpaca suffers from colic – you will know it – they will groan, grind their teeth, get up and down, rolling and displaying other signs of pain similar to that found in horses. Another anatomical difference between ruminants and non-ruminants would be the camelid spiral colon, not as emphasized in traditional ruminants. This spiral colon could potentially become impacted.
On the Altiplano of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia they subsist on anything from lush grass during the rainy season to almost nothing for a good portion of the year. They have to breed for cria births during the rainy season so that the females will have enough milk to keep the cria alive.
Because of the value of these animals in North America, we are not content to have the mortality rates of South America, nor the fertility rates, which are reportedly anywhere from 30% to 50%. There are those who believe that, when it comes to alpacas, because they are hardy animals, that less is better. However, inadequate nutrition is problematic.
A well-known veterinarian from Kentucky states that in a study of 22,000 llamas and 3,000 alpacas across 27 states, his conclusion was that 80% of camelid medical problems are nutrition related. He reports that breeders with 10 to 15 years experience were losing animals due to malnutrition.
We must however not get carried away with the thought of feeding our animals well, to the point of overfeeding. Some alpacas will overeat and become obese if given the opportunity. Watch out for the ones in particular who become the cleanup artists after the others have left just a few morsels of pellets or grain behind. An alpaca will eat in the order of 1.5% to 2% of their body weight per day. At 2%, a 150 lb alpaca will eat about 1.4 kg of food per day.
Supplementing hay and pasture for a camelid is essential to provide quality nutrition. A quality nutrition program utilizing forage and supplements can increase fiber production and overall health.
Yembroos® supplements employ levels of copper, biotin, zinc, niacin, Vitamin E and amino acids needed to promote fiber quality without allowing fiber blowout. Vitamin levels and mineral balances in Yembroos® supplements help prevent crooked legs and promote milk production, reproductive efficiency and fiber quality, while allowing the animal to cope with stress and prevent ulcers.
Important Facts Related to Llama and Alpaca Nutrition:
- Llamas and alpacas are pseudoruminants with three-compartment stomachs, not true ruminants with four compartments
- Compartment I lacks papillae but has gastric pits that produce digestive enzymes and buffers for microbial fermentation
- Volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced by microbes are absorbed through walls of Compartment I and top four-fifths of Compartment III
- Compartment II produces glandular secretions and contains esophageal groove directing milk to Compartment III in nursing crias
- Bottom fifth of Compartment III is the true gastric stomach producing hydrochloric acid and proteolytic enzymes
- Lactic acidosis is possible in camelids but requires excessive grain consumption with symptoms appearing 12-36 hours post-ingestion
- Bloat is rare in camelids but possible under certain feeding conditions
- Colic occurs in pseudoruminants with dramatic pain displays including groaning, teeth grinding, rolling, and getting up and down
- Camelid spiral colon is unique anatomical feature that can potentially become impacted
- In native habitat (Altiplano), alpacas survive on variable forage availability from lush to minimal throughout the year
- Studies indicate 80% of camelid medical problems are nutrition-related, even among experienced breeders
- Alpacas consume 1.5% to 2% of body weight daily (e.g., 150 lb alpaca eats approximately 1.4 kg food per day)
- Some alpacas will overeat and become obese if given unrestricted access to feed
- Monitor individual animals for “cleanup artist” behavior that leads to excessive consumption
- Supplementing hay and pasture is essential for providing quality nutrition and increasing fiber production
- Yembroos® supplements contain balanced copper, biotin, zinc, niacin, Vitamin E and amino acids for optimal fiber quality
- Proper vitamin and mineral balance prevents developmental issues like crooked legs in growing animals
- Adequate nutrition promotes milk production, reproductive efficiency, and overall fiber quality
- Balanced Yembroos® nutrition helps animals cope with stress and prevents ulcer development
- Avoid both underfeeding and overfeeding – proper nutrition balance is critical for camelid health