Why do camelids get stomach ulcers?
Dr. Smith: We think ulcers are mostly caused by stress. Just like in other species, camelids seem to get ulcers when they are in the hospital or when they are sick for another reason. Llamas are herd animals, so if they leave the herd behind, they seem to get stressed and get ulcers. They occasionally get ulcers in the first compartment of the stomach, which is similar to the rumen of the cow, but the ulcers that cause big problems are in the third compartment. MAF: Are ulcers in llamas easy to diagnose? What are some of the symptoms? Dr. Smith: No they arent. Unlike a horse, where veterinarians can pass a scope down and look in the stomach, llamas have rumen so we cant see into their stomach. The signs are teeth grinding, excessive salivating, not eating, laying down a lot because their stomach hurts and very black feces because they have digestive blood in their feces. Based on some of the signs, we can suspect an ulcer, but we can never be sure the animal has an ulcer. Eventually an
