Alpaca of the Month

May 2005

A Happy Ending

To help out a good friend, we recently took on an 8 week old poddy, Lissette, whose ancient mum is now feeling her age and has run out of milk. Lissette was enjoying her regular bottles, was doing well and had settled in to our routine here on ‘Airlie’. Then one of our females had a very difficult delivery needing vet assistance - the cria was in full cush position with the head tucked right back underneath. It took a long time to reposition the cria so it could be pulled out but unfortunately the little male died before delivery. (right)

We took some of the placenta to rub on Lissette - thought we might as well try! Our poor female was very sore and sorry for herself and although we penned her and Lissette together for the night the trick didn't seem to work. Back to bottles. Then when taking her lunch time bottle we were thrilled to find Lissette happily drinking from her new mum! Our poor female had a rather unsure look on her face but was standing patiently, allowing Lissette to drink. Lissette started to gain weight steadily again, bottles were refused - didn't taste as good as the real thing obviously - and the bonding continued. After a course of antibiotics, our female, with Lissette in tow, was returned to the paddock and has become a devoted and caring mum. Pheew!!

Lissette Lissette and her new mum

April 2005:	Karisma Romance
March 2005:	Janannie Park Rousseau
February 2005:	2005 Berry Fleece Show
More Alpacas of the Month...