Heat Stress Prevention

Avoid changing routine, doing anything different, or causing any stress during hot weather. 

Provide water, fans, shade, sprinklers, wet sand, etc.

Shear, if possible.

Camelids lose heat through the lower part of their body--abdomen and groin.

Teat stress may present as open-mouth breathing, weakness, inability to stand, or swelling of the testicles. 

In mild cases, cooling the animals with water (sprayed on the belly and groin), providing shade, and removing the inciting stress, will solve the problem.  In more severe cases where the animal is down and not able to get up, they will probably need more attention, such as IV fluids.  Try to avoid wetting the top side of the animal, as that may actually hold in the heat.

© 2006 New Ross Veterinary Services