alpacas: RE: [AlpacaTalk] EPE

Actually our vet gave her one injection of Biomycin and ran bloodwork. I think because she was so thin and had just been shipped 3000 miles…..stress, nursing and pregnant. I know there is a specific protocol ……injection……three days another……….three days another…….something like that. Her records indicated she had received one or two injections already and I think the vet was just trying to cover all bases.

Since then, she has done well. I have not had her cria tested……..I’ll do that before we breed her but it is in the back of my head---if she were to start losing weight I would suspect EPE first.

We give ivermectin every four weeks here, due to the the population of WT Deer…….I do fecals quarterly on all and we treat only those with confirmed parasites, so I am hoping our staying on top of parasites will help keep the EPE from taking over.

I am much more relaxed about the prospects of EPE, now. Not that I don’t think it is harmful, but with treatment, it is not a death sentence I thought it could be.

I have learned a lot and have so much more to learn……..some lessons have come easier than others………but we are still here and doing ok.

Our first cria born on our farm was Magnolia May on May 11^th to a maiden mom and we survived it. Had to assist, but now I know we can help mom out when needed. We have three due in the Fall……..two proven and one more maiden. This learning process never ends!

Laura

Laura Roberts

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA

From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Nancy Miller
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 11:19 PM
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] EPE

Dear Laura,

If she was really treated for MH, her blood levels should be low and the likelyhood of showing its ugly head low. May I ask why did you give her Biomycin????

It is hard to make a sale these days. I am sorry the sellers needed the sale so badly that they were afraid of this disclosure up front. The truth is that a very HIGH percentage of ALL of our alpacas have this disease. We have to overcome the stigma of disclosure so that these animals are protected. At least these people told you in the paperwork......alot of people are not telling it at all. (Sometimes they just do not know, nor have any reason to suspect.) Dr. Lisa Williamson thinks that this disease came in importation. She and alot of vets think that we should not treat a positive animal.....many of us think you should. We believe it improves the quality of life of dams like yours. It also lowers the chance of infection to other animals. A few farms have set their standards to include MH testing with breeding practices and presence on their farms. I think this is good. Label these animals and treat them, then transport them.

I really believe AOBA should make MH testing right up there with BVDV. ( You hear me, board members????) Polio was not "wiped out", so to speak, until everyone was vaccinated. MH won't be either.

I'll bet money your dam and her cria will just get stronger every day and you won't regret buying her one bit!!!
Take care.

Nancy Miller

Crooked Pine Hollow Alpacas

76 Van Lane

Winterville, Ga. 30683

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