Janice, what you are dealing with could be many things, but I would take a big guess and think of Spinous Ear Ticks first. You could put about 2cc of Ivermectin dropped in his ear and massage it in. We have used that and Catron IV (think thats the right number!) with success.
Dr. Pollard has a WONDERFUL ear flush formula that we bring out at the first sign of ear droop.
It could be something else like a foxtail or burr- that would require your vet to remove. The alpaca ear canal is remarkably convoluted and requires a long attachment to really see all the way down to the ear drum. Even the ear ticks after they are dead can stay in the canal and cause trouble
We had a young champion male get an infection in his first year and have lasting facial paralysis from these ticks. His growth was stunted and we almost lost him. He had to learn to eat and drink all over again with only half of his face working. Personally, whether I owed the vet still or not I would be having this one looked at ASAP, based on my own sad personal experience. My male had only had ear drop for 2 days and the permanent damage was already done. We lost him last winter at the age of 8, he was always a weak link.
PLEASE!!! Please be very careful about using things on alpacas that you use on your cats and dogs. They are NOT the same animal and some things that help cats and dogs can kill alpacas and visa versa.
Slainte~
Rachelle
Black Magic Alpaca Ranch
Honesty, Integrity, Quality
Wyatt & Rachelle Black
P.O. Box 457
6500 Digier Road
Lebec, CA
93243
(661-248-6568)
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