Now that the snow has gone it was time this week to pen the guys, trim some fringes and nails, and put cream on Faro's bald spots. This shows me herding the boys using two white sticks (curtain rods actually!) which we've done since recommended on Julie Taylor-Browne's course in 2007 (http://www.carthveanalpacas.com/). White painted garden canes would also work very well. With a small herd one person can guide them successfully by this method and the boys do not challenge the sticks, in fact as soon as they see the sticks being brought out, they know where to go!
The boys are moving to the side of the field, then they are led to the corner and into the catch pen.
Robbie is in the pen and the boys are haltered using Zephyr halters which we find more substantial than other makes. Faro has a couple of bald spots on his ankles and lower legs and we treat this with cream. He has also been shaking his head and we think he may have some mites on his external ears so fly cream seems to be doing the trick with them. He has previously been treated with Spot On and Frontline following a skin scraping by the Vet which showed mites, and we are monitoring him and the others.
What better after a trim-up than to chill out in the sand pit in the Spring sunshine, just like Gaucho (left) and Fergus! After this the boys were moved to the bottom paddocks and to (some) fresh grass, much to their delight. We note now with some grass around that they are eating less haylage and sugar beet.
Looked like a good day for a pedicare! What causes bald spots? Are they like heat sposts? It is nice that spring is finally arriving! I have a request. The next time your out on a road trip, would you take some pictures and post them. I would love to see more of Scotland. I have always enjoyed anything about Scotland and their people...thanks, ...debbie
ReplyDeleteFantastic...Jayne
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, Bald spots are the result of mites unfortunately, something that is not uncommon in Alpacas. The spots are small, the hair falls out and the skin underneath is dry and crusty. We're onto it! We'll get some photos to you - eventually.
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne, Hope the birthday hangover has subsided now!
Frontline works well if you keep doing it every three weeks or so. If you do in their ears and between their toes it seems to help. I have also had success with neem cream too, but it needs applied often. We have had the best results with injectable Cydectin though. I see you use the magic wands too - we got them after G did the Camelidynamics weekend. They work well. Ours got lost under all the snow but they have appeared again! Your grass looks like ours!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy for the information. We had great grass until the snow came in December, now there is very little. They are forecasting more snow. HELP!
ReplyDelete