Wednesday 13 May 2009

The trials and tribulations of alpaca farming

Yet again I find myself having another trial to deal with.

Our superb brown stud, Golden Guinea decided for whatever reason that it would be a good idea to try and get over his fence. This is despite the fact there are no ladies nearby and he has the same boys for neighbours that he has always had.

I think Hughie and Loki were probably play fighting and orgling with each other and Guinea probably thought there was a lady and needed to get in there. The four boys have been play fighting and trying to mate each other since the weekend on and off so this is the only explanation I can come up with.

The poor chap managed to get himself beached on the fence and got into a complete panic. Luckily I was out in the fields (watching the very overdue girls) when I heard squealing, initially I thought it was one of the boys playing but soon realised that something was not right.

I was straight down to the boys and weanlings fields to find a very distressed Guinea stuck. I somehow found the ability to hurdle two gates and get to him but I couldn't manage to move him on my own, however I could support his weight.

I yelled my neighbour who thankfully was off work doing some work on the entrance to his paddock and eventually managed to attract his attention and he came running (thanks Steve I don't know what I would have done without you). We got him back in his field but it was clear that he had done some damage to himself as he was struggling to stand.

The vet was straight out and he was checked over. Thankfully there are no breaks, however there is a lot of muscle and tendon damage so he was dosed up with drugs and it was a case of observing and waiting.

Thankfully Golden Guinea has a fantastic temperament and is very cooperative, having had a second visit from the vet and more injections he seems slightly better although is still unable to stand without my help.

He is trying to stand and is moving around on his own which is a good sign. Today he is managing to take more of his own weight so things are heading in the right direction but he's got a long way to go. I am getting him up hourly for a little walk and giving him some physio to stop him stiffening up but I think it is going to be a slow process.

8 comments:

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Oh.....Debbie, I'm sorry to hear about Golden Guinea, I hope things arn't as bad as I imagine, but it sounds like he has really hurt himself. You are having a run of problems lately, it never rains but it pours. I hope that things improve quickly for you both, I know that you will be giving him all the TLC he needs....Get Well Soon Golden Guinea...x....Jayne

Alpaca Granny said...

Oh, Debbie, how horrible. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn't found him and got him down. Poor guy. I'm sending good energy to both of you.
Maple

Suzanne@ Panteg Alpacas said...

what a horrible thing to happen , hope he recovers quickly .

Patou Alpacas said...

Sorry to hear that Debbie, hope he recovers well.

Lucy said...

Poor GG - hope he's back on form soon. I shudder to think how worried you were on finding him. I take it his undercarriage is all ok?

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

Thank you everyone for your king words. Mr Guinea seems to be heading in the right direction so fingers crossed he will make a full recovery.

Is undercarriage looks ok Lucy, but the vet has said he wont know for sure until he gets his tackle out, and we spared him that for the time being!

Knapper Alpakka said...

Crossing fingers for you and GG! He is too great to go.

Spring Acres Alpacas said...

Thats horrible, fortunately you were there. Good to hear he is coming along, keep up the updates.