Daisy went into labour on Sunday 17th at just after 11.00am. She had taken herself off from the others and was lurking under the trees – thankfully just in front of the bedroom window I glanced out of at just the right time.
Things started proceeding normally and then the head and a leg appeared. Yes, -a- leg. Not quite right I thought and sure enough we had a problem. Lots of running to grab my box of tricks with the long gloves and lubrication. Could not find the other leg and Daisy not appreciating my assistance at this stage (spitting and grumbling as alpacas do), meant another run up to the house and phone call to get the vet on the way in case it was too difficult. I did not want to keep trying for ages and then have to call the vet since we lost a cria last year that got jammed and died before the vet could get out.
Anyway back to the action, I donned another pair of disposable gloves and got the lubrication out again. This time the cria didn’t really like my intervention as well as Daisy. She tried sitting down and spitting backwards and generally making her feelings known. Pushing the leg and head back in gave a bit more room and I was finally able to locate the leg and start to bring it forward. So glad I have done the neo-natal course at Bozedown (if you have pregnant alpacas it is definitely worth doing too).
Too much detail for most of you I know but I have left bits out, honest.
Leg finally free and back in right position – quick delivery followed and Daisy kept on standing there like she could not believe it was actually over. I got straight back on to the vet to let them know but meanwhile the little wriggle on the floor started slipping down the slope and ended up with his head through a fence – and then it began to rain! It is July in Wales after all.
Scooped him up and took them both down to the stable on flat ground to settle after the trauma. It took a while but he eventually got up and went looking for some lunch. Cold and wet weather so gortex coat out of the cupboard. Both doing well now.