Surgical conditions in the llama

Various surgical conditions of llamas are discussed, based on the author's experience, that of colleagues at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and what little information is available in the literature. Some surgery is described for the correction of congenital abnormalities, some of which may be inherited. Sterilization of affected animals should be performed to prevent further occurrence of such defects. Many of the surgical techniques used in llamas are adaptations of methods used in other domestic species. Knowledge of the anatomical differences (especially in the gastrointestinal tract) as well as the other idiosyncracies of this species is essential for a successful surgical outcome. In time, refinements of these techniques as well as reports on the use of different or newer techniques will appear in the literature.