Avoiding Heat Stress in your Lamas during the Summer months

Heat Stress in Llamas and Alpacas

It is summer! With the summer heat and humidity here, it is increasingly important to consider how that affects the health of your animals. Llamas and alpacas can adapt to a wide variety of environmental conditions and can still struggle when the heat index is high. Heat stress occurs when the core body temperature rises above the normal temperature and the body is unable to regulate it, typically because of high temperature and/or humidity exposure. Heat stress is an emergency, and it is important to bring the temperature down quickly to prevent any permanent organ damage or death. Normal temperature of an adult llama is around 99 to 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit have been observed.

Prevention of Heat Stress:

What can owners do to help prevent heat stress? There are several ways to help minimize the risk and keep your animals happy and healthy.

1. Shear your animals! Removing their fiber will help them stay cool and reduce the amount of heat kept in by the animal. The llama to the right is sporting a full body cut.

2. Shade is critical for the prevention of heat stress. An animal should have access to trees, shelter, or anything that can shield them from the sun.

3. Ventilation and fans help create a breeze and airflow that will help keep animals cool.

4. Access to water is essential for a llama or alpaca to stay cool and happy. Cold water that is clean and accessible will help the animal stay hydrated. Some people will put electrolytes in the water to encourage drinking. Many owners also fill kiddie pools or use splash pads for those animals that enjoy standing/kushing in it. We will also hose down our animals’ legs or bellies, most of our alpacas love it! Do not hose down parts where they have full fleece, as that moisture will stay and make the animal warm.

Prevention of Heat Stress

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5. Proper Nutrition and feeding habits: animals that are overweight are at a heightened risk for developing heat stress and eating can cause an increase in fermentation and heat that the animal generates. Older and sick animals can also have a harder time tolerating heat compared to their healthy and younger companions.

6. Crias: Crias are unable to regulate their body temperatures the same way that adults are, so pay special attention to them as they try and sunbathe with their parents, including more frequent temperature checks and moving them indoors if it is too hot.

7. Reduce transport or travel during hot weather or moving an animal to a new home during the hot seasons.

8. Most importantly, know your animals and trust your instincts. If something seems off, check it out and call a trusted vet or mentor.

Dirt piles are great for cooling off during hot days.