Tuesday 10 June 2014

The worst possible start.

Pretty crap start to the day today.
We are on high alert here as we move into the birthing window for 10 girls.
6am and Sue ran up the stairs announcing that Sabrina was giving birth.
I was straight out and sure enough a head and two front legs were out. Airway was clear and all appeared normal.
However, it soon became obvious that Sabrina was exhausted and was having trouble giving birth.
I delivered the cria but after 30 minutes of trying everything we just couldn't get her breathing and had to call it a day.
Sabrina, meanwhile, was flat out exhausted and had lost a fair amount of blood. Two hours later and she is much improved having had oxytocin (placenta now out, and normal), antibiotics and pain relief.

The cria was a big beautiful dark brown female and I have just laid her to rest in a lovely spot in the field. Tears are falling on the keyboard as I type, I know it is all part of breeding animals but it's hard to come to terms with.

Sabrina knew she was in need of help, she was lying right next to the gate that we always enter the field by.
I know that there was nothing else we could have done, we will be up earlier tomorrow.

Shearing tomorrow, I have a busy day ahead of me getting everything set up.


7 comments:

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

As you probably saw we lost a cria and also the dam a few weeks ago so I feel your pain twice over.

Fingers crossed for happier arrivals soon.

Weavers Wood Alpacas said...

So sorry to hear this Mark and Debbie. I lost a female cria a couple of years ago after spending all day working on her with the vet. It's a very sad part of the job.

Rosemary said...

Very sad for you, Mark - dreadful when it happens.
Every best wish.

Apple Vale Alpacas said...

Feeling for you both, and hope the rest are straight-forward.

Unknown said...

Really sorry Mark & Sue. Horrid. Hugs from Beck Brow x

Ginny said...

Oh so sad. Desperately sad for you both. I hope Sabrina will be ok xxx

Andrew said...

Tough day Mark. Focus on the positives. Thinking of you.