Monday 16 April 2012

Under fire

I feel the need to write this blog posting. I don't really want to but I have to get it out of my system and move on.
We have had the worst week that I can remember since we started breeding alpacas 7 years ago.

My previous post announced the news of the arrival of Qjori's first son, a lovely solid black male. Unfortunately he developed a serious case of diarrhoea and was rushed to the vets in Salisbury. Sadly he died in front of me whilst three vets tried to get a line into him. I have never seen diarrhoea like it, it was like milk. It came on so quickly and he went down so quickly we just didn't know what had hit us.

Prior to that as previously mentioned, last Monday Priscilla had given birth to a super looking solid dark brown boy. Qjori's third son. We named him Tendulkar. When I say 'given birth' I am perhaps misleading you. In appalling weather Priscilla had a very traumatic vet assisted birth and lost a lot of blood. At one point I thought we were going to lose her.
Initially very strong Tendulkar soon went down rapidly and was taken to the vets with pneumonia. He recovered well from the pneumonia but whilst at the vets developed the same milk like diarrhoea. He was there, bright as a button at the vets when the little black boy (Tanglefoot) died.

To cut a long and bloody awful story short it was a battle to cope with Tendulkar's condition and despite being at the vet's being cared for by two vets he was put to sleep at my request on Sunday afternoon. There was nothing else that could be done for him.

So three births, three Qjori sons, all super looking solid coloured boys. All dead.

We have thought of little else over the past few days and to be honest we are still devastated by what has happened. I know that worse things have happened to others and I know that we may get worse things happen to us in the future but right now it feels a little bit like the walls are coming down around us.

13 comments:

Amiryck said...

Absolutely devastating news for you, so sorry to hear that. Surely things must improve from here. Qjori has obviously done a fabulous job. Look forward to happier times with the ones you will have in the future.

Good to see you, sue, angus and the boys at the weekend they looked fab.

Love to you all xx

Karen Oglesby - Meon Valley Alpacas said...

Mark, animals bring a lot of joy and a certain amount of sadness - I am a firm believer that things go in 3's, you have definitely had your 3. Try and put it all behind you and look forward to happier times - there will be many I am sure. Best wishes for you all Karen

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

How devasting for you all, I'm so sorry. Do they know what the problem was?

Animals certainly bring us lots of heartache but they also bring us lots of joy and in times of sadness we need to try and remember than.

Stay strong together, big hugs from Barnacre. xx

Unknown said...

We are so sorry to hear this Mark and Sue. Dreadful news. We are thinking of you and praying for better news from now on.

Barbara & Paul xx

Jenny said...

Our thoughts are with you - so sorry to read your terrible news. I hope and trust your vets can come up with ideas to help you. Take care, Jenny and Graham xxxo

Apple Vale Alpacas said...

Echoing all the above comments, and letting you know our thoughts are with you all to get through this period to better times ahead, Dave and Joy.

Andrew said...

Sorry to read this. Better times are just round the corner. Thinking of you. Andy and Bev

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Just devastated for you all...what a traumatic week...hang in there guys...just can't believe it ......Jayne xx

Rosemary said...

That is so dreadful, Mark - really very, very sorry.

Laura said...

Sorry to hear your news, things can only get better. Despite not being an alpaca owner I find your blog a great read and the pride in your animals a joy :-)

Terry said...

How terrible. I'm so very sorry.

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

Your blog is written with such love and joy of your animals. I am so very sorry for the loss. We used to have horses and know the pain of losing one, especially one so young. I really hope that the rest of the year brings you delight.

Lucy said...

Mark, so so sorry for your terrible loss of these beautiful crias. We know the pain, as you will recall. Your words were a great comfort then.. and things do move on and get better. Hugs to all from all at CHQ x