Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Re: [AlpacaTalk] shivering dam



Ellie:
 
I asked the vet specifically about that and he says NO -- they don't make enough milk to cause that. On the other hand, I do have a tube of calcium paste in the cabinet and was thinking about it. I guess I could try calling Ruthanne, but hate to bother her at Nationals. Heading back out now to see how things are going with her......I really don't want to drive to Columbus with her.......again, it's a stress thing that I hate to put her through at this point. At the same time, she's a doll and bred to a nice boy......and I do love her dearly, though no hugs lately due to the nasty late term pregnancy syndrome!
 
thanks so much for your suggestion! It was the one thing that occurred to me that could be easily fixable, but vet says no........but then I don't always trust the docs.......shame on me, but also helps me learn!
 
Susan
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] shivering dam

Susan, one of the symptoms of low calcium could be shivering.  See if she'll eat some tums or yogurt...can't hurt and might be just what she needs.  Hypocalcemia can happens in late stage pregnancy especially is calcium/phos ratio is off.  Low body temp would go along with low calcium.
 
Ellie

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--- On Thu, 6/4/09, Susan Forman <susan@deweymorningalpacas.com> wrote:

From: Susan Forman <susan@deweymorningalpacas.com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] shivering dam
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 11:31 AM



Thanks, Heather! I just called my OSU and that vet indicated it could be a uterine torsion....my gut says no, but I've never had a torsion or dystocia, so.........I think I'll keep a close eye on them and when they go inside shortly (if they stick to their usual routine) I'll get a temp. This girl has been extra squirrely for the past month, so I don't want to unduly stress her by isolating her to get a temp....at this point, an hour or two shouldn't make a big difference if all else seems okay otherwise. The vet did agree with me that it really shouldn't be cold....we're now up to 61 and I can't imagine being cold at that temp - or even 50 - 3 weeks post shearing.
 
Thanks again......all ideas are always welcome when something new pops up!
Susan
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] shivering dam

I haven't seen our dams shivering except when cold or sick. We've had some dystocias over the years and I don't recall shivering being  a sign.

I had a dam who had severe shivering before and after delivery 2 years ago and that cria spent a week at OSU after delivery. Antibiotics were required for dam and cria.

I'd say, at the very least, get her temp. Maybe a blood test to check for infection wouldn't be a bad idea. 


Best of luck!
Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece



On Jun 4, 2009, at 8:11 AM, Susan Forman wrote:

Hi Folks:
 
I was late getting out this morning and all of my guys were out grazing. The set-up: it's about 55 out with heavy overcast. Yesterday's high was about 57, so didn't get much colder last night. They were all shorn 3 weeks ago today, so have a tad of growth plus have had time to acclimate to the weather, though it's been decently warm until yesterday. Anyway, the girls came running in for their feed and I noticed a girl that's 343 days pregnant shivering. I've never had one do that past the first or second day post shearing. She ate eagerly, but still shivering. This girl also had Meningeal worm late last summer, but no lingering effects have ever been noticed. I'm not sure whether it's just the colder temps or something more is going on. I'm going to find something to coat her with as soon as I'm done with this, but also just outright concerned about her. Obviously, I'll keep a close eye on her today since she could have this baby any day now...and also wondering if shivering could be a sign of labor or dystocia.... and concerned that she won't tolerate the coat real well and it will be more of a liability than a help.
 
In any case, if anybody has any insights, I'd love to hear them! Also, send a little sunshine my way! I'm a little down in the dumps, not to mention I think the animals don't like this overcast yucky, wet, awful weather either! Sunshine will warm my soul and this girls body! It's always good to have a dose of that!
 
Thanks,
Susan
 
!
Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacana tion.com/ deweymorning. asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!



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posted by Chaddo at 9:54 AM

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