Janice:
I haven't followed this thread closely, so sorry if I say something that's already been said. The ONLY way to know if you have EPE is to have a blood test done. There was an article in Alpacas Magazine I think in the Fall. I think it is also on the ARF website. In any case, one of the things that occurs with EPE is not only weight loss, but anemia. Anemia can be very very serious as I'm sure you know. In any case, there are other kinds of issues that sometimes go along with EPE (Mycoplasma haemolama) like a heavy parasite burden. Giving antibiotics can be rather tricky, so I would very much hesitate to do that unless advised by a vet. I *think* there is a specific protocol for MH treatment, but I'm not aware of it. I would urge you to contact U of Georgia (Drs. Lisa Williamson and Allesandra Pellegrini) where they did a study if you suspect you may have a case of it. The other important thing is that it is very often sub-clinical and the animals show no signs of ill thrift. Again, that would be for a vet to determine.
If you're just dealing with an underweight girl, I'd try good old alfalfa. Have you gotten weights on this girl? I have one that also has the big belly and always looks pregnant. She's always been healthy and almost 11 years old....and I've come to think that she just carries her weight differently than the others. Her hips also look narrow and small compared to the rest of her. Another girl always looks thin to me, but I noticed today that her chest seems full...not thin at all....and all of that leads me to conclude that they are like people....some carry the weight in the bellies, others in their legs, still others in their chest area.....it's individual, so I'm not worrying anymore since they're all healthy and I never see any indication that anybody isn't healthy and happy.....
Good luck!
Susan
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 11:38 AM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] EPE
<<< Okay, we chose to supplement her with a non-alpaca supplement
and this is controversial and has been discussed before on this website. I
am not advising anyone to do what we did- only answering your question.
(ok-disclaimer done)....snip>>>>
So you didn't treat her with Biomycin? You call her your EPE girl; did
you have her tested?
My matriarch has always had a hard time keeping her weight up. Well I
am not sure that is an accurate statement. She carries a large rounded
belly low......she always always always looks preg, and the right side
is always larger than the left so she has fooled me more than once;
these days until I see legs coming out her behind I won't believe she is
preg! But her hips and along the top of spine area are just skin and
bone.
So I am unsure as to whether to suspect EPE or not. I am leaning in
that direction, but just hate to inject anything that I don't absolutely
have to.
She gets plenty to eat - all she will eat.....with no competition as
they are all fed separately - so that is not the problem.
Janice
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home