Re: [AlpacaTalk] alpaca down/can't rise

 

Hi Janice,
You need to call the vet. A physical exam needs to be performed and guessing here on line could do more harm than good. Labwork and a fecal are llikely in order too. In the meantime, your supportive care sounds on target, but before the vet comes out, lay off the banamine so that they can more easily identify what is going on.

Taking a temp will also be very helpful. I assume since you administered IV fluids, you have some medical experience. I would be concerned about anemia, for she simply sounds very weak. Check her gums and inner eye lids to assess that (as you likely know how to do already). If you aren't experienced with what things should look like, compare her lids and gums to other healthy alpacas is your herd.

Anywho, this is beyond this site to handle, and it is time to have the vet make a trip, or transport her to a vet or vet hospital. Why do such things always happen on weekends?
Best of luck to you and her.
Laurel
The Shouvlins
Bluebird Hills Farm
3617 Derr Road
Springfield, Ohio 45503
937-206-3936
www.bluebirdhills.com
bluebirdhills@voyager.net

> My sweet girl Allie, my first and favorite has been down since Fri
> night. She is 12 yrs old.
>
> 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.
> Then 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 massaging, 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 observed 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
>
>

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