I am sorry you feel that I am "trashing other people and accusing them of wrongdoing". If one feels that my informing people about the topics at hand based on what I know in both layman's term and to some extent legally is trashing someone, then maybe there are underlying issues when it comes to how they feel about their herds or the programs they are using. I was not trashing anyone, merely informing them of the liability they hold as breeders, and a liability they also hold if someone decides to make them stand next to their responsibility of breeding animals. The courts in the lines of Animal Law (in accordance to the words of one Attorney down in OR) view anyone who breeds animals as someone who holds expertise when it comes to the quality and genetics that this animal comes from and possesses. Don't doubt for one minute that someone will be the owner of two back end orifices after the judge is done ripping someone the second one in regards to why breeding a faulty line, especially when one knows this is the case, is very big no no. This is very much how it would be handled. They will also ask a breeder if they had ever been informed of the fact that there was this or that genetic issue, and many people can say they have been, but probably won't. It is very much a breeder's responsibility to ensure they are not breeding animals that should not be bred or correcting the problem should one arise. Don't kill them, as I agree it is a bit much. Merely remove them from your herd, and try to figure out what can be done as a result of this problem.
As for not knowing whether or not it is genetic, I personally have a hard time believing it is not. There are also several vets who recommend that animals that have produced CA be pulled from the program because they too see that there is more of a genetic link than there is an environmental one. I know of several well know and popular males who have consistently produced CA crias, and even blue eyed whites and greys with both colors dying from the CA affliction. There have also been females from these lines being bred to males of other CA lines and producing CA crias. It is just something about the consistency without fail that would make me very much doubt it be anything other than genetic. As for CA and blue eyes being tied together, after reading this paper, I think it might help you out. I would write it here but don't see the point in repeating.
As for people not knowing where to look or how to even start, it really is not that complicated. Use Google or any of your search engines that you may be used to or partial to, and start typing in things like Choanal Atresia, Blue eyes and genetic flaws, etc. It really isn't tough and I am willing to bet that these things will lead you to large amounts of information.
This was a paper written about 5 years ago by my mom after being very much up in arms over this issue for several years. It was published in a couple in-print magazines and in a few online ones. She is working on another one so it is updated with the newest information and findings done over the course of the 5 year period, and I will be submitting that to several vets also. The round-about that people still like to do even today is the reason why she no longer voices her opinion on this issue of blue eyes, whether in white or grey animals, and CA, at least on boards. I personally do it because even though I know I am probably not going to get anywhere and be "cooked" alive, I would much rather the information be put out into the open and people honestly think about their programs and for themselves than to listen to people who care more about the money in their bank than the person buying the animal. Most people would much rather turn it into a cookout of the person who is trying to help people out than to actually look into the subject with an open mind and the understanding that they just might have flawed animals that aren't worth much. Believe it or not, I am not out to smash people's dreams to little pieces or be malicious. I am trying to do what I have done for years, and that is help people hold a program that is going to last, not be a waste of money, and be in demand when people have no other option but to find lines that are far more sound than many out there. We have been in this exact situation, only over a CA line. I know what it is like to be a little farm who is about to lose a lot of money. But, I will say I feel better about our breeding programs knowing that we are doing all we can to make sure we keep these lines and problems out of our herd.
Blue eyes are blue eyes and come about the same way, it doesn't matter the color of the animal. They still hold the same fault, and still pass it on the same way. This will give all of the information that, as of 5 years ago, was put together.
Maegan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heather Zeleny" <alpacatalk@westwindalpacas.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 7:43:47 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] BEW
Your post came off as very unsupportive and helped no one. You say information is available and accessible. I think most people have no idea where to look. Who to ask. Even you, who claim to have all the info, won't tell us any specifics.
You ought't trash other people and make claims about their wrongdoing if they have no proof that there is anything wrong with their breeding choices.
Heather
OK....
It is apparent, as it has been every time the BEW or CA has come up an issue, that no one fighting with me on this is going to do their own research, believe anything other than what was fed to them by the industry itself (What was one of the highest money Industries next to the Thoroughbreds, mind you) nor are they going to even take the truth into consideration. After all, who wants to be told that after breeding animals for however many years, and investing all of the money into the business, that it is now rendered useless, the animals aren't worth a thing, and said animals and lines have been set in the toilet and are patiently waiting to be flushed? Right, Nobody!
