How to Geld a Llama

Llamas are naturally good-natured animals often chosen as pets, to guard herd animals and as breeding animals. For owners who don't want to breed male llamas, the option to geld--or castrate--is sought. A geld llama loses the sexual arousal instinct and maintains a gentle temperament. Learn the reasons to geld and how to geld a llama to ensure a peaceful herd.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Know the reasons to geld a llama. If male llamas are not going to be used for breeding purposes and live with female llamas, they should be geld. Male llamas instinct for sexual gratification begins as early as 4 months old. Sexually mature male llamas have a strong-willed temperament and fight other males for the affection of female llamas. To keep peace in the herd, non-breeding male llamas should be geld.

2. Understand the right time to geld a llama. Llamas should be geld after 12 months of age but before they reach puberty around 20 months. The general consensus amongst experts recommends gelding at 18 months of age. A llama that is geld before 12 months of age could sustain permanent developmental damage; a llama geld after 30 months risks maintaining certain stud characteristics like wanting to breed and charge.

3. Realize there are two surgical methods to geld a llama. Scrotal castration is done with the llama sitting or standing. Anesthesia is administered, including an epidural, and incisions are made on each side of the scrotum and perpendicular to these incisions to remove the testes. Pre-scrotal castration is done with the llama sitting down. General anesthesia is given and one incision is made from which both testicles are removed. Before either type of surgery, tetanus shot and penicillin are administered.

4. Monitor the llama post surgery for signs of infection. Observe the incision for puss, redness and excessive bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't feed the llama for 12 hours before he is to be geld. Water should still be offered.
• Never geld a llama that is ill. Surgery compromises an ill llama whose health is already compromised.