Toe Nail Clipping & IGG Lesson

Since I was so tired both nights after shearing, I didn't write about it until last night. So, now I need to catch up with my ranch visit report for yesterday.

I arrived at All American Alpacas at about 10AM, as usual. It had rained pretty hard the day before and I was so concerned about the Alpacas not having their "coats" on. Rick said they did pretty well, as they all huddle together to stay warm and dry. Each field has a covered feed area and trees, which would also protect them from some of the rain. And. sure enough, the day after shearing (Friday morning) "Summer" delivered a beautiful little girl. I guess the cria wondered what all the comotion was on Thursday when her mom was being shorn, and decided to come out and see. Because of the weather, she was wearing a little purple "cria coat" and looked so cute! She is very active and social for being only a day old. During the day, Rick allowed the rest of the herd in main field to come to the nursery and visit. Summer had no problem with all the other dams and crias sniffing and checking out her new baby. The cria didn't seem to mind either. At one day old, she was even trying to eat hay. Go girl! She is also a "Fred Baby" (Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador) and looks alot like my ALPHA.

We were going to attempt some breeding today, but waited until Dr. Thatcher had come to check out Summer and her new cria. Mom and baby got a clean bill of health. YES! Dr. Thatcher takes a small blood sample from the cria for two reasons (1. for ARI registration, and 2. for IGG testing). Before she arrived, Rick let me help him clip Summer's toenails. That was a first for me. It was, actually, rather easy (thanks to Summer being cooperative). Because of the rain, her toenails were softer and easier to cut. Rick put a halter on her and I held her close with the lead and let her lean against me. The front feet are done by pulling the leg back, bending the knee and clipping from underneath. It looked like Rick was using pruning shears. The rear feet are done by just lifting the leg and clipping from the top. Rick told me Alpacas have a membrane in their toenails much like dogs have, so you don't want to clip too far down. Wow, Summer; a new hairdo, new cria and pedicure all in a 48 hour period.

By the time Dr. Thatcher left, Susan & Joe (Summer's owners) arrived to see their new cria. I think they were very pleased and took lots of photos. While they were there, we tried to breed Mo (Show Me The Money) to one of their Alpacas "Gwen", and my "Star". Neither of the girls were "in the mood". Rick said maidens can be that way. Plus, with the shearing, then rain, I'm sure they had other things on their mind. Maybe next week.

I spent some quality time with Felix, but didn't walk him today. He's been a little standoffish since the shearing. Although he wasn't his old lovey dovey self, he did let me give him kisses and rub his neck. Aside from shearing, he also has new "roommates". A few of the male crias were weaned at the time of shearing and are now in the field with Felix, Storm, Flash and Ares. The new additions are Shaq, Dewey, Otieno, Landis and Harrison. I figured I'd give Felix some time to adjust before taking him out (which I'll do next weekend). Shaq is a major lovebug and will be a welcome addition to any ranch looking for a pet Alpaca.

Aside from learning how to trim toe nails, Rick also showed me how to test IGG. I don't know the "medical" terminology for the initials, but do know it is a test of the cria's immune system. Dr. Thatcher draws a small vile of blood, which is used for the IGG testing, after two drops of the blood are put on a card for DNA testing at ARI to register the cria. Rick has the equipment to spin the blood vile and separate the serum from the blood. He then takes a very, teeny tiny, glass, straw looking thing and draws up a teensy amount of the serum. It is then dropped onto something that looks similar to a petrie dish, with green gel all around and little pin prick holes with numbers. One dish can be used for several tests. In fact, the dish he was using had ALPHA's results on it. After 24 hours, the circle expands and is then measured to determine the IGG level.

I did get a chance to go out in the fields and take a few photos. The sun was out by then, and after the day and night of rain, the Alpacas were more interested in laying in the sun or checking out everyone's haircut than to hold still for the camera. With a few, it was hard to tell who they were without their clothes on!

When everyone was meeting the new cria in the nursery, "Dusty Rose" came over to the fence for kisses. She's is a major lovebug and gives you kisses and lets you rub her neck. She stuck her entire little nose and mouth through the chain link fence to kiss me. Not only did she kiss me, but she was sucking on my lips, big time! Rick thinks she liked the taste of my lipstick. How cute is that?

Yes, another great day at the ranch....