Reprinted from the Llama Association of the Mid-Atlantic States magazine

THE PERILS OF OVEREATING

by Karen, Baum, D.V.M.

       Excess intake of grain can occur when animals are exposed to new grain or to more grain than they are used to. Some animals eat as long as there is grain available, especially when "peer pressure" makes them guard feed. Some lamas are timid in the presence of other animals and eat more if alone. Changes in grouping can lead to over-consumption by some individuals and under-consumption by others. It is important to observe the animals to assure that each one gets the proper ration and amount. Some will leave feed in the feeder. Sometimes supplements or portions of the ration are selectively left behind.
       Those animals which over consume highly digestible feed (grains in particular), or are suddenly exposed to legumes, need to be treated immediately to prevent permanent damage to the digestive tract or secondary complications. The animal should be removed from the culprit feed or forage immediately. Fresh water should be available, Gas bloat should be relieved. Frothy bloat should be treated with The rabloat (proproxalene) or a similar product by mouth or stomach tube.
       Antacids are helpful if administered soon after excess grain is consumed. Peptobismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or comparable products bind Certain toxins as well as acting as an antacid They can be given by mouth with a catheter tip syringe or an empty worming medicine syringe. Dosage should be based on approximate weight and extrapolate from human dosage on the bottle (adult human at 150 pounds) Add the amount recommended for a 24 hour period and divide by the number of times per day the animal will be treated.
       Mineral oil helps prevent absorption of certain nutrients and soften ingests. This may hasten emptying of the digestive tract to help get rid of offending feed. When oil appears in the feces an approximate transit time can be determined. Although not all the feed will pass at the same rate as the mineral oil, it's presence in the feces can serve as a guide. As long as the mineral oil is swallowed or given by stomach tube into the stomach, it is relatively harmless on short-term therapy. Long-term (weeks on end; treatment could lead to imbalanced absorption of nutrients caution must be used in administration of mineral oil if the animal is regurgitating or refluxing stomach contents. Aspiration of mineral oil into the lungs can cause severe damage and complications.
       Antibiotics are indicated to prevent the spread of microorganisms, which live in the digestive tract, to other parts of the body Severe indigestion can affect the lining of the digestive tract and allow micobes to enter the blood stream spreading to areas of the body where they can proliferate. This can lead to other complications such as infection, abscesses, septecemia, endocarditis and so on.  Evidence of the spread infection can be immediate and obvious or delayed and subtle.
       Ulcers can occur as a consequence of overeating.  These can heal or persist Some are partial thickness and some are full thickness through the wall of the organ. The size and severity of the ulcer will determine the consequences. How much pain the animal exhibits depends on the animal's threshold of pain, the ease in which the animal's expression of pain can be understood. Carafate (sulcralfate) coats the ulcer in the stomach and clinically appears to relieve signs of pain and aid healing. Treatments should be staggered by at least 1 to 2 hours from that of antacids. Carafate works better in an acidic environment.
       B vitamins should be supplemented ( especially thiamine-B1) whenever an animal is off feed, has overeaten or has indigestion. This is to prevent lack of thiamine to the brain which could lead to poliocencephalomalacia ("polio"). Signs of polio include blindness, wandering, depression and can lead to opithotonus (stiffness, head over back), seizures or even death. Depression and death can also be complications of severe acidosis.  
       Bicarbonate (baking soda) may be helpful to offset acidosis after the ingestion of large amounts of grain or highly digestible supplements. When treatment by mouth is delayed the body will try to adjust resulting in a systemic acidosis. Severe acidosis is best treated with IV fluids and bicarbonate. The amount will depend on the severity of the acidosis.
       Intravenous (IV) fluids will help correct acidosis and dehydration. Other medications can be given intravenously once the catheter is in place for the fluids. When the digestive system is in turmoil the absorption of drugs and feeds may be impaired. What is given intravenously is absorbed. Drugs administered subcutaneously will be absorbed only if the hydration of the animal is adequate. Intravenous catheter management can be done on the farm. Keeping the wrap clean and dry, flushing the catheter and extension set with heparinized saline and checking the catheter before giving drugs will assure satisfactory operation.
       Activated charcoal binds toxins and is useful in cases of overeating. it is messy, but otherwise, has few side effects. it is a safe and effective treatment for any situation when toxins are in the digestive system. Keeping some on hand for diarrhea or gas is a good idea. Drug stores sell capsules or caplets for humans which work well especially on crias. For larger amounts, powdered activated charcoal is more economical to use.
       The diet following overeating should consist of grass hay, water and salt. Pregnant animals can also be given yogurt as an energy and calcium source until back on their regular diet Nursing crias should be kept with access to their mother's milk. The mother of an affected cria should be fed her grain separately so that the cria can not consume any grain until recovered. Caution should be taken to prevent future episodes of overeating as individual animals may be prone to repeated bouts.
       Diets should be changed gradually. Grains should be increased by ¼ pound every 1 to 3 days until the needs of the animal are met. Changes in grain should be done by mixing old and new over several days to weeks. The higher the protein and fat, the lower the fiber, the longer an adjustment period which will be needed when introducing new feed.
       Grain containers should be covered and latched or strapped so clever lamas cannot open them, Access to the grain storage area should be prohibited. Other animals can open bags or containers and allow the lamas access to excess feed if stored where accessible. The room where feed is stored should be separate and secured. Many lamas are capable of opening conventional latches. People may forget to adequately close a door so the feed should also be stored in tight containers with the lids latched shut. Visitors and other animals can allow lamas access to feed if not properly secured.
       "Overeating" vaccinations protect against certain clostridial overgrowth and toxins which can be produced when the environment in the intestine is such that this bacteria can proliferate. It is useful to protect against the fluctuations which occur during mild changes in the digestive tract. It does not protect against complications of an outright overeating episode or a severe change in diet. The vaccination program should include this coverage, but do not be lulled into a false sense of security. The name is misleading. It is a good and useful vaccination. It is used to prevent overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens types C and D which can occur with even minor changes in diet or stress.
       Generally llamas and alpacas like to nibble at a variety of forages and feeds. Although they like variety, they also like consistency in the kinds and amounts of feeds offered. Crias whose mothers have inadequate milk tend to eat more as youngsters. Some of these crias maintain "piggy" eating habits as they mature. Each animal is unique in his/her tastes and amount of feed consumed. Some have trouble maintaining body weight due to inadequate intake, temperament, metabolism, parasites, poor absorption or other factors. Some animals seem to get fat easily. These animals may consume more feed, be more efficient digesters, have less demand on the energy they consume (less activity, lower metabolism, less milk production, nonpregnant or mature animals).
       Each lama should be fed individually according to the body condition, demands (especially growth, last trimester pregnancy and lactation (milking) and the tendencies of the animal. The type of forage has a great influence on the type and amount of grain fed. The basis of the diet should be a clean high quality forage. The grain and mineral supplements should be used to meet the nutrient requirements of the individual.
       Some nutrients can be detrimental if fed in excess. B vitamins are usually excreted if in excess and do not accumulate appreciably if over supplied. Protein and fat excess can lead to over-conditioned animals. The exact requirements of llamas and alpacas at different stages have not been exactly determined. Feeding recommendations are guidelines which must be adjusted to geographic area and individual needs. Any change in diet should be as gradual as possible. Inadvertent sudden changes in diet can have dire consequences. Treatment must be initiated post haste to avoid severe damage. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or even a life!).