Re: [AlpacaTalk] alpaca down/can't rise
From: Sheri Hewitt <sherih@woodlandmeadows.com>
To: AlpacaTalk <AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 26, 2012 10:25 am
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] alpaca down/can't rise
After some time sitting with her, observing, massaging - she appeared/s quite bloated. Massaging her esophagus and her belly brought moans of pain/relief...and some release of gas and burping, belching. A lot of gut sounds, rumbling.
She would shift uncomfortably occasionally. And was vigorously chewing her cud. I assume this was from pain.
I couldn't tell if she was "rolling" as horses do with colic, or if she was trying to get up and couldn't.
My 14yo and I (the only help I have) were finally able to get her on her feet around midnight, with a great deal of struggle, and she walked out of the barn to poop.
Then walked over to the pasture where she spends the night.
She seemed pretty ok - alert, pooping, etc.
I thought it was gas and we managed to dispel it and all would be fine.
Then Sat morning, same scenerio. laying in her poop, she couldn't get up.
massaging her again, this time no gut sounds/rumbling.
Gave her Banamine injection, and ivermectin injection, and some IV fluids as she was dehydrated. I notice she will eat but not drink.
By rocking her (to get her off balance) we were once again able to get her on her feet.
Once she is up she walks around and looks fine.
T hen she stumbles a bit; her front legs buckle and down she goes. But this has only happened when she has been down all night and is likely stiff. After about 30 min of this, she began to perk up (likely the Banamine). She stayed up walking around the woods most all day yesterday looking for sweet gum leaves to eat - her favorite snack.
Was laying down by evening. Kushed, looking comfortable and alert....but not getting up.
We were able to get her up - with great effort, for dinner and to walk around a bit.
She was still up when I came in for the night.
Same scene this morning; laying where she obviously has been all night, had pooped where she was laying. More mass aging, more gut rumbles and moans. She tried several times to get up, but cannot get herself up without assistance.
My dd and I have to get her up. Her front legs act like they do not know what to do to get her up. But then once she's up, they work fine. It was easier this morning to get her up....she helped a bit.
She's up now and walking around, is eating and looking alert.
Once she's up, she walks ok. Haven't seen her stumble and fall this morning (Sun).
We will keep getting her up anytime we see her laying down too long in one spot.
But I haven't a clue what might be the problem?? Or what to do, other than keep getting her up.
Any ideas here; anyone ever seen this before; any suggestions?
I have obse rved her twice in the past month fall and struggle to get back up. But she was able to get herself up.
I feared something like this was coming :-(.
For the past 2 years she has had intermittent problems with one of her back legs; like its gets a spasm (looks very much like what often happens to me!) and won't straighten out properly. She would use her toes to the ground to balance and sort of limp about on it for a short time, then all would be well. It only happened occasionally and I haven't noticed it in quite a while now.
But this current problem seems to be her front legs that are the problem.
Any input would be welcomed.
I have no vet that will work with the alpacas, tho I have a vet that I can get meds from....as long as I can find out what to tell her we need.
Thanks,
Janice
posted by Chaddo at 7:39 AM
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