Alpacas and Medical Miracles
I don't know if you have heard about the special features of Alpaca Blood. It is quite unique and medical research has become quite interested in these unique properties. Big Pharma has already created a cure using alpaca "nanobodies". Read and find out!
Read more...Helping "Dummy" Crias Find Their Way!
This is my July 2026 newest article "Helping Dummy Crias Find Their Way" based upon the Madigan Squeeze Technique. I have written this article as an update to my previous articles. I have also included here with this article a barn poster title
Read more...Expected Progeny Differences Presentation
This slide is the outline I use when asked to present on Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) lecture. This lecture and hands on computer programs can be presented to groups or with single farms. I can provide the training as an online or in per
Read more...A Cure for the Dummy Cria Syndrome: The Squeeze Maneuver
At the spring Calpaca (California affiliate of AOA) meeting, U.C. Davis Professor of Equine Medicine and Epidemiology Dr. John Madigan presented new research on the syndrome of dummy foals, and a methodology to reverse it. Equine neonatal maladjustme
Read more...Copper Deficiency and Alpaca Disease, A Case Study
How can we uncover any emerging or re-emerging disease in New World camelids unless we look for the cause of death when we lose an alpaca? This dilemma ultimately faces all owners at some point when raising alpacas. Finding the reasons for a death is
Read more...A Medicine Room and its Usage
Do you have a room exclusively for medications and medical supplies for your herd? In my opinion it is a necessity for any alpaca owner. As a nurse practitioner who has worked in many medical offices and hospitals, I know each has a room to store and
Read more...What Should You Put in the Cria Baby Bottle
Conventional wisdom says cow or goat milk is a good substitute for alpaca milk. My research indicates neither of those are the most optimum milk substitute. Recently, we bottle fed a cria for two months with a unique formula that produced good result
Read more...Make Your Own Electrolyte Paste
Did you know there may be times when you can help your adult alpacas by providing them with supplementation of electrolytes? It may be that dam who decides to give birth in the spring during an unexpected heat wave. It could be in a condition describ
Read more...The Perfect Storm: Case Study of a Septic Cria
This case study is about Moon River, a beautiful alpaca cria that was born healthy. She appeared by all measures to be normal, but lived for only four short days. Moonie, as we nicknamed her, succumbed to an infectious process, the result of insuffic
Read more...EPDs - They're Heeere!
An EPD is an Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). It has been my experience that when you ask an alpaca breeder if their alpacas have been EPD tested and what are their herdsire's values, I usually get a look of utter astonishment. They have of course,
Read more...How Productive is Your Website
In 1990, with lightning speed, the means for finding information for the general public went from the library to the Internet. The Internet started by linking universities and quickly spread to its use by the public. Hence came the vernacular "Google
Read more...Confessions of New Alpaca Owners or Better Said: ""Who would have thought."
My husband Dave and I started a new alpaca business just like you. We were three months into the business and all I can say is what did people do before the Internet. Thank goodness for the Internet. Of course, it was a recession, right, we couldn't
Read more...Making A Case for Necropsy In the Alpaca
Make the Most of Your Veterinary Resources
The cost of veterinary services can be one of the most prohibitive expenses for the alpaca owner and breeder. During this recession, we all know alpaca sales are down, but expenses can be up. During these times, any way to save on costs would be welc
Read more...EPDs
Don't be left behind, the industry is rapidly changing. An EPD is an Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). It has been my experience that when you ask an alpaca breeder if their alpacas have been EPD tested and what are their herdsire’s values, I
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