And it continues
16 March 2010 21:58![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maystoneNo picture today. It's been almost non-stop for me since before dawn. It started off badly, but I'm hopeful that things are improving.
Gertie was not acting like Gertie at all this morning. She was lethargic, not eating all that much, and she was cushing with her back legs out to the side instead of underneath her. That's usually a sign that something is wrong. The lethargy and the lack of appetite I could assign to her grieving (alpacas do grieve for their young), but the legs-out cush was worrisome. Deb had Andrew the vet coming out in the afternoon anyway to do some blood work on four crias, so while he was here he had a look at Gertie.
He was concerned about her affect, too. She was very passive during his exam, which is not typical for an alpaca and certainly not typical for Gertie the Great. He suggested antibiotics if she didn't improve by evening. I talked to Dar at her dad's in Cape Breton and she was extremely concerned. She wanted Gertie to have the antibiotic and a pain killer/anti-inflammatory asap, so we got that done. I took her temp just a while ago, and she doesn't have a fever and she seemed more alert. I'm hoping that we caught whatever this is in time. Gertie is special to us all, but especially to Dar.
And speaking of Dar, her dad is much worse. I don't feel comfortable going into details, because that's Dar's to tell. Just know that she's distraught and preparing for the end.
The only light is that Satine and her baby, Willow, are back here with us. Deb and I brought them home this afternoon, and they've settled in very quickly. The baby got sniffed all over by everyone who could get close enough to sniff her. Satine was reunited with her sisters and former herd mates. Willow is enjoying having the run of the place - lots of happy cria prancing on her part, and the other crias took to her right away.
Please, please let this particular happy ending continue.
Gertie was not acting like Gertie at all this morning. She was lethargic, not eating all that much, and she was cushing with her back legs out to the side instead of underneath her. That's usually a sign that something is wrong. The lethargy and the lack of appetite I could assign to her grieving (alpacas do grieve for their young), but the legs-out cush was worrisome. Deb had Andrew the vet coming out in the afternoon anyway to do some blood work on four crias, so while he was here he had a look at Gertie.
He was concerned about her affect, too. She was very passive during his exam, which is not typical for an alpaca and certainly not typical for Gertie the Great. He suggested antibiotics if she didn't improve by evening. I talked to Dar at her dad's in Cape Breton and she was extremely concerned. She wanted Gertie to have the antibiotic and a pain killer/anti-inflammatory asap, so we got that done. I took her temp just a while ago, and she doesn't have a fever and she seemed more alert. I'm hoping that we caught whatever this is in time. Gertie is special to us all, but especially to Dar.
And speaking of Dar, her dad is much worse. I don't feel comfortable going into details, because that's Dar's to tell. Just know that she's distraught and preparing for the end.
The only light is that Satine and her baby, Willow, are back here with us. Deb and I brought them home this afternoon, and they've settled in very quickly. The baby got sniffed all over by everyone who could get close enough to sniff her. Satine was reunited with her sisters and former herd mates. Willow is enjoying having the run of the place - lots of happy cria prancing on her part, and the other crias took to her right away.
Please, please let this particular happy ending continue.
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no subject
2010-03-17 02:48 (UTC)I wish I could help.
no subject
2010-03-17 03:39 (UTC)no subject
2010-03-17 05:01 (UTC)no subject
2010-03-17 05:18 (UTC)*wishing for that too*
no subject
2010-03-17 05:35 (UTC)no subject
2010-03-17 13:15 (UTC)Poor Gertie. I hope she'll be okay. :(
no subject
2010-03-17 17:43 (UTC)