Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: supplies to keep on hand
Janice:
Use straw rather than old hay for bedding. It's hollow and holds the
heat better. The more you put down, the warmer they are. Mine stay
out all night and go in during the day. I think they're part
vampire! Since I have had some bad stemmy hay, I"ve put the old
stems out where they sleep, though straw would be better......
got that in the barn, though, so if they're cold, I have to figure
they'll go in where it is a lot warmer. As for heaters, I don't like
the idea of them either and for the same reason you give --
fire. However, I have heard (on alpacasite) that if you need to warm
an animal, get a flat type electric heater and put it on the ground
under the straw (I think it may be one made for pigs....it's made for
a barn environment and for warming tummy areas where they really need
the warmth). I personally think these guys are much hardier than we
give them credit for since all of mine are either frosty or snowy in
the mornings as well. They have no problem with the barn during the
day! At first I thought the pyrs were chasing them out in some way,
but when I go out during the day and the dogs are hunkered down in
the corners in beds they've made of straw, and the pacas are all over
and not a bit concerned, I don't think the dogs have anything to do
with their choice to stay outside. I have seen the pacas get spooked
when mouse runs through, though, and the mice are clearly more
active at night -- maybe the mice bother them. In any event,
regardless of what I tell them, they stay out most nights and are in
by sunrise. I just have to trust that they know what they need.
Good luck and stay warm! On a personal note,I'm finding that I can
deal with the cold okay if I'm dressed the right way -- and the
alpacas are already pretty well dressed! It's the wind that I hate
and that makes me cold, so figure it's the bad thing for the alpacas
as well. Somehow, the dogs and alpacas don't seem to mind it nearly
as much as I do, but if you've got one already a little chilly, I'd
be watching the wind closely and get some kind of coat or blanket on them.
Good luck and stay warm!
Susan
PS As for prescription meds.......I'
anything I can pay for! Banamine is over $50. for a bottle. The
last bottle I had I only used a couple of times, but was worth
it. The new bottle hasn't been touched yet and hope to throw it all
away. If I need it, it will be worth it, though. Injectable
Penicillin can be bought over the counter for roughly $10.00. I buy
mine from PBS Animal health since I have a store not too far
away. Hopefully, it will expire before I need to use it. And never
use an antibiotic without a vet recommending it! It might be the
wrong one and make things worse instead of better due to
resistance. It is good to have on hand, though. I also keep
epinephrine.
$4.00, but if you give vaccines, worth having on hand. It should
only be used in cases of anaphylactic shock! It can kill and must be
dosed very very carefully and only if the animal is actually going
down right after receiving a vaccine. Drugs are tricky and great
care must be taken when giving them........
always hope they get tossed and I waste the money and the drug!
Susan Forman & Eric Jenkins
Dewey Morning Alpacas
423 Greenfield-Sabina Rd.
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899 Home
937-901-1509 Cell
http://www.alpacana
Home of Huey, Dewey and Louie
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.5/1886 - Release Date: 1/10/2009 6:01 PM
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
posted by Chaddo at 8:24 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home