Premature birth
Posted by Richard Cox on Saturday, May 28, 2016
Something to share?
When faced with this situation last night, an unexpected delivery (or at least two weeks early), I got in a bit of a panic. Nothing noticeable developed for a good 40 minutes, all I could see was a face and feet swirling around in a bubble of water. I wasn't hopeful of anything coming out alive. I sought advice over the phone from family and friends and was told to burst the bag, not an easy task with a normally quite feisty female llama who just kept running away. I eventually managed to do so after cornering her in the shelter (food strongly attracts pregnant mothers). To my surprise, once I started to pull the mum worked with me to help force the cria out. I held it up by the back legs to help drain the air passages and there was a glimmer of hope when the mouth opened to take in air. The cria was weak and cold but with further expert guidance and moral support over the phone, a night of nursing has hopefully put her back on course. Now she has found her feet and mum's feed I feel a little more relaxed. I know some of you out there faced with this situation would have known exactly what to do but I thought sharing it would help those who didn't when faced with similar circumstances. Fore more see Hillview Llamas.
When faced with this situation last night, an unexpected delivery (or at least two weeks early), I got in a bit of a panic. Nothing noticeable developed for a good 40 minutes, all I could see was a face and feet swirling around in a bubble of water. I wasn't hopeful of anything coming out alive. I sought advice over the phone from family and friends and was told to burst the bag, not an easy task with a normally quite feisty female llama who just kept running away. I eventually managed to do so after cornering her in the shelter (food strongly attracts pregnant mothers). To my surprise, once I started to pull the mum worked with me to help force the cria out. I held it up by the back legs to help drain the air passages and there was a glimmer of hope when the mouth opened to take in air. The cria was weak and cold but with further expert guidance and moral support over the phone, a night of nursing has hopefully put her back on course. Now she has found her feet and mum's feed I feel a little more relaxed. I know some of you out there faced with this situation would have known exactly what to do but I thought sharing it would help those who didn't when faced with similar circumstances. Fore more see Hillview Llamas.
