[AlpacaTalk] Choanal Atresia -- CA info I encourage everyone to look at
There are people that we have worked with who do know these CA producing sires and we have been putting our database together for years. All 15 of them that we have on our list thus far and many more normally coming down the pike on a yearly basis are mainly from our talking to many other breeders about their breeding programs, and an underground network that we have been in semi contact with for years not to mention the sires we had found when we first started. None of these males were put on the list based on hear say, but from breeders who have had babies hit the ground afflicted with CA and documentation to prove it, or breeders who had males and females produce CA crias. I agree with you when you say that the non disclosure of CA producing dams and sires is annoying and irresponsible. Those are just the tip of the iceberg words to describe it. Not to mention the fact that it leaves several breeders in the dark and causes a downfall in many programs especially after someone goes out to find a CA cria that just happens to die in their arms. The CA issue is probably one of the biggest if not the sole culprit and biggest downfall to bring the industry to its knees, but is the largest subject not spoken of by breeders or those selling animals because of the liability that can be held over their head and the money loss in their herd.
When we had first gotten into the Industry in '95, my mom had dealt with many farms. One of these farms was definitely not a small one, and had very impressive males. Upon picking out our males from this farm, my mom was informed by a family friend already in alpacas that all of these males we were getting ready to put money down on had been known to throw CA crias. Upon asking the selling farm, they had confirmed it, but told us it was "no big deal" and would probably not happen again. After deciding we did not want these males due to this CA problem, my mom received a phone call from this farm on Valentine's Day along with a threat of having her children taken from her and a lawsuit should she ever mention these names to anyone. Over the years, apparently we were not the only farm this had happened to as we have run into many farms who have also dealt with this farm and royally been screwed when it comes to the animals purchased and the babies had, not to mention the threats they too received if they were to ever open their mouth about the CA babies who has hit the ground, etc.
We understand that this is a frustrating issue for anyone who is trying to avoid these problems. When they ask us for the names of the lines, all we can do is say whether or not we would personally breed or buy that line or animal. We cannot openly say what male or give stats as I had just recently talked to someone from said farm, and they very much have a hawk eye on what we say and do as well as a couple others who have had issues with them. While it is truth and I am sure there are ways to avoid being sued as it is a valid problem and the proof can be acquired, the last thing we need to do is put ourselves in the middle of a pack of wolves.
However, what I would like to point out with this is it is not going to be strictly the responsibility of one farm to say whether or not you should buy an animal. While I am all for helping farms out when they feel they have no other options, I also encourage people to talk to multiple breeders and farms about CA carriers and producers and see if you yourself can find some names or information. Our database is open to accept names should anyone find any which can then be used to help others out as well but we can only take the information if there is proof behind the name. The list is of Huacayas and suris, most of them are Peruvian, however there are Chileans and Bolivians also. I want to check to make sure I am correct in saying this but I am almost sure all of these males have also thrown blue eyes, both whites and greys. There is that darn link again!
I encourage people to go look at this site. It is very informative not to mention something I would urge everyone to read. PLEASE READ ALL OF IT as it is going to have all of the information and background on the CA issue, all things I have been trying to explain to people for years. While this is a llama farm, it is the same. The only part in there that is always going to be a questionable topic is how often CA is produced both in the wild and in domestication. Many original breeders claimed that about 25% of all crias were born with CA while in the wild. We had been told by other "original" breeders that this was a crock to try to make the CA less of an issue. But like correctly stated towards the end of that paragraph, the numbers are based on the amount of CA babies reported, which doesn't happen nearly as often as it should. Over all, I encourage people to read this as I strongly believe it will help people understand what is going on in the Alpaca Industry right now, and how it will end up (the llama market fell apart very quickly due to genetic flaws and the problems with Choanal Atresia as well as secondary factors) if people don't start realizing the seriousness of the issue. However, looking at where things are at right now with CA producing lines, I fear it may be too late. Furthermore, if you look towards the end, you will see the information on how we can find a genetic marker for the CA gene, and I am sure there could be one found for the BE gene also. The incredible part is at the end where they explain when they had a CA cria hit the ground, and even more incredible is the information they give on what was done with the parents. Everyone can fight me tooth and nail all they want, but all I ask is that you please take a look at the article I had submitted to the board earlier today, and then this website. Go to http://home.
I hope this all helps you to further your understanding.
Maegan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heather Zeleny" <alpacatalk@westwind
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 8:40:12 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] BEW
I do recall, several years ago, that I mentioned a connection between
BEW and internal organ, reproductive organ malformation or
underdevelopment. I was grilled. Why did I think that? Where did I
get that idea? Etc. Well, it was from the reading I'd done on
dachshunds and Queensland heelers when breeders bred to merles
together. Then, we had a BEW girl here for breeding who was deaf, and
it turned out her entire reproductive tract was very underdeveloped.
As for sires who are known to throw CA crias... I just wish that
those who know who those sires are would say so. Give us some names.
I find the refusal to identify those sires at the least, annoying,
and probably more like irresponsible.
Heather
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posted by Chaddo at 3:03 AM
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