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At the spring Calpaca (California affiliate of AOA) meeting, U.C. Davis Professor of Equine Medicine and Epidemiology Dr. John Madigan presented new research on the syndrome of dummy foals, and a methodology to reverse it. Equine neonatal maladjustment syndrome is more popularly referred to as dummy foal syndrome. Dr. Madigan's research findings have become known as the "squeeze method. Dr. Madigan is the principle researcher in the "Clinical Trial of the Madigan squeeze method for treatment of ... Full article >
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Published in Alpaca Magazine, Autumn 2015
How can we uncover any emerging or re-emerging disease in New World camelids unless we look for the cause of death when we lose an alpaca? This dilemma ultimately faces all owners at some point when raising alpacas. Finding the reasons for a death is good for our camelid medicine, and it is good for each owner, even if just for curiosity reasons, not to mention to ensure we are not dealing with a contagious disease. For me, the most important reason to determine the cause of death is to add to t... Full article >
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Do you have a room exclusively for medications and medical supplies for your herd? In my opinion it is a necessity for any alpaca owner. As a nurse practitioner who has worked in many medical offices and hospitals, I know each has a room to store and dispense medical supplies and medications. While I try to prepare for convenience and the ability to treat just about anything on the farm, my supplies are meant to treat minor medical problems, as well as the moderate medical problems I feel comfor... Full article >
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Conventional wisdom says cow or goat milk is a good substitute for alpaca milk. My research indicates neither of those are the most optimum milk substitute. Recently, we bottle fed a cria for two months with a unique formula that produced good results. I pursued further research to see if my choice of formula had real validity. What I learned may help others with bottle-fed crias. Read the full article on the best formula to fee... Full article >
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Did you know there may be times when you can help your adult alpacas by providing them with supplementation of electrolytes? It may be that dam who decides to give birth in the spring during an unexpected heat wave. It could be in a condition described to your veterinarian over the phone where the recommendation is to supplement your alpaca with an electrolyte. There is an easy recipe you can prepare and have on hand which can provide a quality, easily stored, and easily administered form of ele... Full article >
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This case study is about Moon River, a beautiful alpaca cria that was born healthy. She appeared by all measures to be normal, but lived for only four short days. Moonie, as we nicknamed her, succumbed to an infectious process, the result of insufficient amounts of colostrum in the first hours of her life. All this was unbeknownst to her owners, until it was too late. My hope in writing this case study is that you develop an understanding of the consequences for a cria who fails to get enough co... Full article >
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An EPD is an Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). It has been my experience that when you ask an alpaca breeder if their alpacas have been EPD tested and what are their herdsire's values, I usually get a look of utter astonishment. They have of course, heard of EPDs, but seem to be confounded by the thought that someone might ask. I doubt if a person was shopping for a bovine stud they would get the same response from a breeder. ... Full article >
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Published in the Calpaca Connection, March 2011
In 1990, with lightning speed, the means for finding information for the general public went from the library to the Internet. The Internet started by linking universities and quickly spread to its use by the public. Hence came the vernacular "Google it". So when someone wants information about alpacas they will "google it". The words they choose to seek information will depend on many variables; however the results you want is for that person to link to your website. The only way to do that is ... Full article >
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Published in Calpaca Connection for the first quarter of 2010
My husband Dave and I started a new alpaca business just like you. We were three months into the business and all I can say is what did people do before the Internet. Thank goodness for the Internet. Of course, it was a recession, right, we couldn't start with two alpacas like everyone else. No, no, we started with 10 alpacas and two llamas. You know the thinking, why start with two when you can get 10 for the same price. Sounds good, right? Who thinks like this? Someone with no knowledge about ... Full article >
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There is an old saying in medicine, “When you hear hoof beats, don’t look for zebras.” It loosely suggests that, when a doctor, or in this case a veterinarian, sees symptoms of a disease, the most common cause of the symptoms is usually the culprit. In the case of a common infection this adage is a simple reminder for doctors that a fever is more likely a cold or flu – and not infectious endocarditis. Which brings me to the purpose of my article which is to inform my fellow alpaca ran... Full article >
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The cost of veterinary services can be one of the most prohibitive expenses for the alpaca owner and breeder. During this recession, we all know alpaca sales are down, but expenses can be up. During these times, any way to save on costs would be welcome by any alpaca owner. One novel way to cut some of the costs is to allow veterinary technician students to provide some of the services that you would typically have your veterinarian, or paid ranch help, provide. Especially those once a year type... Full article >
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THEY'RE HEEERE
Don't be left behind, the industry is rapidly changing. An EPD is an Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). It has been my experience that when you ask an alpaca breeder if their alpacas have been EPD tested and what are their herdsire’s values, I usually get a look of utter astonishment. They have of course, heard of EPDs, but seem to be confounded by the thought that someone might ask. I doubt if a person was shopping for a bovine stud they would get the same response from a breeder. Al... Full article >
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