Another Vet Visit for the Llama

Yesterday I noticed Keira was limping just slightly.  I checked and there was some swelling at the top of her rear left leg.  Just to be sure I wasn’t imagining things, I had The Farmer take a look also.  Yep, looked swollen.

Okay, time to get the vet out and let him look at the swelling and see if he concurred with my diagnosis of why she is losing her hair.  So I called the office first thing this morning and set up an appointment for a farm visit.

My absolute favorite vet came out.  This guy is smart, good with animals, and good with people.  He listens to what you have to say, and if he disagrees he’ll say so, but he doesn’t get arrogant about it like you’re an idiot and he’s smart because he’s the vet.  (Can you tell I’ve dealt with some like that?)

He gave her a shot for inflammation, but wasn’t too concerned about the swelling.  As for the hair….

It’s just what I thought.  It’s stress induced hair-loss, a lot like people get when they have chemotherapy.  Between the stress of a difficult delivery, heat stress, and mega-doses of antibiotics. . . plus given the fact she isn’t itching, he didn’t see mites, and she has new hair growing in under what’s coming out… it all added up just the way I figured.  But it was still nice to have the vet here and take a look just to be sure.

So at some point she’s probably going to have nothing but fuzz.  I hope she can get enough growth to keep her warm before it gets really cold, but if not, there’s always blankets.

There was one other notable fact about the vet’s visit.  Keira did not:

• fuss about getting a halter on,
• try to run away when the vet came,
• fuss when he was poking at her back side,
• fuss when he was pulling at her hair
• or do much of anything but flinch when he gave her a shot.

Nope, she just stood there quietly, nuzzling my neck.  She is back to her very sweet, lovable llama self.  She’s like a whole different animal, personality wise, when she’s pregnant.

Just one more reason not to do that again!