animal successes

animal successes » llamas & alpacas

Although llamas and alpacas remain a small population in the United States, they are big in personality and charm — and their numbers are growing. Morris Animal Foundation started funding health study research for these animals in 1990, and we've had a number of important successes, like those below. Learn more about our current studies.

  • Vaccine Research:
    Investigators identified and studied four proteins that have potential to help develop vaccines for meningeal worm, which causes neurological damage and death in camelids.
  • Development of Alpaca Genome Map:
    The Foundation provided sustained funding to develop the alpaca genome map. The molecular genetic tools developed through these studies led to the alpaca being chosen by the National Cancer Institute for whole genome sequencing. This accomplishment led to the commitment of additional resources for alpaca research and increased the number of researchers working on camelid projects worldwide.
  • Better Ulcer Prevention:
    Research determined that the oral form of omeprazole doesn't effectively treat ulcers in llamas and alpacas, but that the intravenous version is effective in both preventing and treating ulcers.
  • First Treatment for Deadly Parasite:
    Foundation–funded investigators determined a commercially available drug could prevent meningeal worm infections in llamas/alpacas. Prior to this study, there was no known safe and effective preventive medication against this deadly disease.
  • Understanding the Immune System:
    A Foundation–funded study characterized the main features of the llama/alpaca immune system. This information helped scientists establish the basis for Juvenile Llama Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JLIDS), a serious disease that affects many young llamas/alpacas.
  • Safer Anesthesia:
    Foundation–funded scientists determined that the anesthetic gases sevoflurane and desflurane produce extremely rapid recovery in llamas and alpacas. This knowledge will help increase the safety of general anesthesia in these animals.
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