A comparison of surface and rectal temperatures between sheared and non-sheared alpacas (Lama pacos)

The objective of this research was to determine if whole-body shearing woul d effect gross thermoregulation in alpacas. Eight mature, intact male alpac as were randomly assigned to one of two groups and maintained in outdoor pa stures with adequate artificial shade from June through August (summer clim ate) in east central Alabama, USA. Group one animals (N = 4) were sheared t o remove all fiber to within 2 cm of their skin. Group 2 animals (N = 4) we re left non-sheared. Sheared alpacas tended to have lower rectal temperatur es during high ambient temperatures than did non-sheared alpacas (P = 0.06) . Thermographic studies of the scrotum revealed cooler surface temperatures in sheared versus non-sheared alpacas (P = 0.05). Temperatures in the righ t medial thigh of sheared animals were 0.9 degreesC cooler than the thigh r egion of non-sheared animals in the morning (P < 0.03). Right medial thigh temperatures were 1.6<degrees>C cooler in sheared alpacas in the afternoon (P < 0.01). Significant positive correlations were found in non-sheared ani mals between ambient temperature and rectal temperature in the morning (r = 0.612, P = 0.014). In sheared animals during the morning significant posit ive correlations were established between the Heat Stress Index (WSI) and t he right medial thigh surface temperatures (r = 0.648, P = 0.003), the HSI and rectal temperature (r = 0.729, P = 0.0003), the ambient temperature and light medial thigh surface temperature (r = 0.485, P = 0.04), and the ambi ent temperature and the rectal temperature (r = 0.823, P < 0.0001). In the afternoon a significant positive correlation was found in the sheared alpac as between the HSI and the right medial thigh surface temperature, rectal t emperature and surface scrotal temperature (r = 0.538, P = 0.02, r = 0.534, P = 0.019 and r = 0.522, P = 0.045), respectively. These data indicate tha t whole-body shearing of alpacas could have a beneficial effect on thermore gulation when used as a preventative measure against heat stress. Shearing may assist heat dissipation resulting in a cooler surface body temperature and rectal temperature in alpacas when challenged by the heat and humidity experienced in the summer months: in the southeastern United States. (C) 20 01 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.