[Alpacasite] Plasma Transfusion based on bovine colostrum reading

Hi Group,

I know that IgG issues have been discussed here quite a bit and I've saved a number of them for reference but I'd like a little help...

We had a cria born Thanksgiving Day (11/24). The dam's milk did not come in til the next day so we bottle-fed bovine colostrum during the 1st 24 hours. We had some success with this but I would have liked to have gotten more into her. Two days later we had her IgG tested and today I was advised by the Vet Tech that her IgG was less than a 100 and the vet recommended plasma. Now there has been discussion here on different types of testing for alpaca versus bovine colostrum. Additionally I know that there are different types of IgG tests done on alpacas themselves. There was also something discussed about measuring total protein when an animal has only/primarily been fed bovine colostrum and making a decision on the need for a plasma transfusion from that.

The Vet Tech indicated that the less than reading was an alpaca IgG test but she couldn't give me any more info relative to the issues I've discussed above. She said I should call and speak with the vet herself tomorrow.

My vet is a small animal vet who raises llamas herself. For a number of reasons, I'm afraid my confidence in her has been compromised but as she lives 2 miles away and there are no other vets for miles, I need to maintain a good relationship with her.

So when I call her tomorrow, what specifically should I be asking her? And what answers should I hear that would tell me a plasma transfusion is necessary? I should mention the cria is extremely active, nursing well, and has gained almost 4 pounds in the 8 days since her birth. Any help would be appreciated!

Kati Dickey
Hummingbird Woods Alpacas
Centreville, MD

p.s. any ideas for a name for a cria born on Thanksgiving Day would be appreciated! : )

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