Wednesday 27 June 2012

My Poor Gorgeous Boy

I was going to write this blog on Sunday with news of new cria, Summers new home and breedings but on Saturday Murphy our gorgeous young male llama wasn't feeling his normal self.  At first we thought he had some Colic which normally passes without treatment but he was no better on Sunday.  A visit from the Vet, antibiotics and pain killer administered, fingers crossed he would improve.  His symptoms were similar to our female Alpaca who was so ill last year, nerological twitches, excitable but he also had problems with his sight.  We then suspected he had eaten something poisonous possibly Bracken as the symptoms fitted.  By late Monday he had suffered a fit and it didn't look good, our vet came out and he was given some steriods and some Vit B1 drench, he got really stressed out by this and was very upset we settled him for the night and left him with a companion, he was sitting up and seem alert.
When we arrived at the Barn this morning he had died in the night,  I am absolutely devastated, Murphy has been a dream since the day he was born, he was calm, friendly and so easy to handle, he has been trekking with us since he was weaned, he was starting to carry a pack and a favourite with all our customers and he will be missed very much.

He really was growing into a very handsome boy.
We have had a PM which as usual came back inconclusive but thankfully there was no signs of TB, Liver Fluke or Worm burden which is encouraging for the rest of the team.

Our other news will have to wait for another day.

8 comments:

  1. Oh ....Im devastated for you all ....what a really gorgeous boy and such a shame, I hope you can get some comfort in those wonderful times you shared with Murphy .....he obviously will be sadly missed ......Jayne

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  2. We're so sorry to read about poor Murphy, he really was a lovely boy. The important thing to remember is that he has had a really great life with you. He'll be with you in spirit every time you are on the moor. Shirley & Robbie

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  3. So very, very sorry. He does look a lovely boy - what a terrible shock for you.
    Every best wish.

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  4. So sorry to hear of you sad loss. He looked like a lovely boy. My thoughts are with you.

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  5. Sorry to hear that news Diane, hope the rest of your herd will pick you up, Dave.

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  6. So sorry to hear your sad news-Big hugs, Jo, Rolly & Lily xxx

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  7. Thanks everyone for your messages, all the rest are OK, PM doesn't show any signs of the nasties especially TB, Fluke or Worms. They say he actually died of a heart attack and his lungs had some fluid but in the back of the lung not the front as they would have expected, but they say that this would have been caused by the toxins in his blood and the pressure caused by the swelling on the brain.
    Yesterday was bad but today has been better.

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  8. So sorry to hear the news of Murphy, he was indeed a gorgeous boy.

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