Herd Management Changes

Posted 3 November, 2006 in Alpaca Health |

I recently attended a neonatal and wet clinic. To my surprise the DVM holding the class made some comments that has changed my regimen on pregnant females and newborn crias. I am not recommending that you make the same changes, but you may want to think about it.

1. CDT shot - I have been giving the pregnant dam a shot of CDT 4 to 6 weeks before her due date. This was so that she could pass the antibodies to the cria. Per the DVM the studies done have not proven that the antibodies are passed onto the cria. Therefore, by administering the shot we are causing needless stress to the dam. I personally will now be administering 2cc of CDT to both the cria and dam two days after birth.

2.Ecoli - I have been giving to newborn crias 10cc of ecoli medicine orally. Per the DVM, unless you have conditions for ecoli to exist (crowded and damp areas) there is no need to administer. Since my alpacas are not born in this type of environment I will not be administering this drug.

Let’s remember folks that these crias are being born in the wild and surviving without all these extra drugs. Sometimes I feel we go overboard on what is actually necessary to take care of alpacas.  

Your comment:

You must be logged in to post a comment.