Camelid Research Program

We’re proud to introduce you to the Llama Research Program at the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. Our goal is to make Ohio State a leading authority on issues of health and well being of these magnificent animals and to support llama owners in Ohio, surrounding states, and North America in solving and preventing problems "on the farm.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine has a broad base of diagnostic and research facilities and support groups to make this goal a reality. Currently, the Llama Research Program is working to establish a permanent herd "in-residence" at our research farm to facilitate these efforts. Our program is progressive and productive:

• A research herd of 34 llamas and alpacas has been developed. This herd is supported exclusively through donations and research grants. Listed below are number of research projects involving this herd.
• Stress response of llamas to handling and transportation (to be published in The Veterinary Journal in 1998).
• Recommendations for a liver biopsy procedure in llamas that may be used on the farm by veterinarians investigating liver disease (will be published in Veterinary Medicine in early 1998).
• The role of mycotoxin in the development of liver disease. We have seen an apparent high incidence of liver disease in llamas in the USA, especially the mid-west. The current mycotoxin study is intended to be the first in a series of investigation of the role of nutrition in these diseases. Serial measurements of fetal heart rate to determine "normal" ranges for various stages of gestation.
• These measurements will allow us to determine the well being of a gestating cria in females suffering from disease or stress.
• The potential use of oral and pour-on formulations of ivermectin dewormers in llamas.

Read about our future research plans, health topics for owners and resource links.