The alpaca vet - "When a hobby gets out of control..."

Young males... The fightclub

2011-09-16T03:53:00.000-07:00

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Our new website on your mobile phone.

2011-09-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Use your bar code scanner on your android phone or Iphone.

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Countryfair Mariënwaerdt 2011

2011-08-22T04:03:00.001-07:00

45.000 visitors in 5 days

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Alpaca VET toolbar in your browser?

2011-07-22T04:17:00.001-07:00

Download:

http://leovanmerwijk.ourtoolbar.com/

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

New (special) microscope

2011-07-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today the new microscope for the Embryotransfer arrived. With a very excellent camera on... We had a camera on the other (normal) microscope but this one is super. It has LED lights - that makes it more easy to find the embryo.
We ordered today also a new scanner (Tringa Linear VET / Esaote / PieMedical). It is a very "handy" little scanner... Also for the ET. We are waiting for the special "freeze lab-equipment".
It is just a theory that we think we can freeze the embryo. I hope it works... Otherwise it was an big investment .... But we can use this equipment as well for normal ET-work.
So if you are interested in Europe to have some nice embryos (of your own alpacas or somebody elses alpacas) don't hesitate to contact us...

New Microscope with special camera (suitcase)

New scanner

P.S. We still have a PieMedical 200 scanner with a same transducer (for sale)... So if somebody is interested, let me know...

Alpacas of the Lowlands - Marieke & Leo van Merwijk

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Juvenile cataract and trauma

2011-07-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

Juvenile cataract

Trauma of the eye

Last week I went to see a young cria without an anus. Then he had another with a white lens... Juvenile cataract in an alpaca? When I came home one of the youngsters (few days old) had severe trauma on his eye. The first is not irreverseble. The second problem (trauma) looks more severe but will always recover beautiful. Maybe a little spot left in a few weeks.

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Stillbirth - on christmasday!

2010-12-28T06:48:00.000-08:00

On Christmasday we found this little one in the stable. Lenght is about 16 cm. --> average age - 12 - 16 weeks old (pregnant). Probably the older female. Lucky she isn't sick...!

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Australia in 6 days...

2010-12-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

Just been to Australia. I don't understand why people leave this country to live somewhere else...?!
What a great, fantastic country. And the Aussies are so relaxed. It all seems terrific! Even the alpacas that we have seen.
We met some people (I may say: "new friends").
We arrived at 19th of november very late in the evening at the airport of Melbourne. We had a taxi / cab who took us to the Novotel-hotel near the beach. My companionfellow did want to go to sleep but I purchased him that we visit the local pub near the hotel. It was great fun that evening... Lots of people who are had a great party wiht live music.
Next day we had to take a look at Melbourne - wow... nice!
We left to visit a friend in Mount Macedon (Ron and his wife Colleen). Had a very good time over there and saw some kangaroos (called kangoolies by Ron).
The next day we saw the "hanging rock" and left for a drive on the Great Ocean Road. We stayed the night in Apollo and next day went on to Portland and further on... Visit a farm on the road (with alpacas) and in the evening we arrived at Adrianne and Chris Williams place. We had a drink and went to bed (tired). In the moring we sheared all the top alpacas of Australia (all the studs). In the afternoon we did some vinyardvisitings (and little bit of winetasting)! hmmm..... Visit a friend of Chris for a beer and went to a local pub for more. We were a little bit quiet in the evening (according to Adrianne). Ha, ha... to much to drink.
Next day we did a drive at the beach and went for visit a special visrestaurant. We discussed the alpacas and had another look at some animals. Had a look at the alpacashop and what they sell in Handorf (hope I spell this correct). It is a little touristcity with german roots.
Next day we left for Adelaide. I decided on the way to give a ring at last farm: EP Cambridge. We were more than welcome over there. What a nice people over there (one big family - but were employees). Had to see all the studs and the farm. Amazing how big it is...!
I would like to thank all the people we met for the pleasant stay and the hospitality of Australia. I would be proud if I was an Aussie!
Thanks again... Hope to be back soon!

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

GIFT

2010-11-15T15:55:00.000-08:00

In dutch GIFT means "a present". But that is not what we mean.

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In May or June 2010 the AAFT (Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing) brings the OFDA2000 alpacafibre-testmachine to the Netherlands. We will be testing alpacafibre for one or two days...
What is the advantage of testing with AAFT.

You can watch the testing
More results over the total fleece (9 testpoints in GIFT)
You don't have to wash the fleecesamples anymore before sending it to Australia (lot of work)
You can get an explanation of the result from the fleece of your animals of the expert who is working with the OFDA2000
It gives you much information of what went well and what did go wrong in your alpacaherd in 2009/2010

Don't miss it!!!

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Show in Namur....

2010-11-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

All muddy and rain, rain, rain. Everything was wet, wet, wet.... The fleeces were terrible and there was almost no light in the tent / marquis.
It was not what I expected of the show. Our results were very disappointing. 4 x 3rd place and 2 x second....
Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Long time ago...

2010-09-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Never been so long offline with the blog! I had to many things to do. We have some other cria (even today - legend Devocote Jacquinto. She looks nice... She only walked on her carpi instead of her front feet.
Other thing is that I booked a ticket to visit Australia in november this year. Just for a few days to visit some alpacafriends and their farms and see how life is going at the other end of the globe!

This picture is no trick - it is how hard the sun was shining today...!

This is the last week that people can make official complain to the plans for the new Animal Hospital we are planning to build. It will be a building made out of steel (roof, walls) and glass (walls). It very beautifull to see on a picture (hope it is the same in real). We are trying to make the building CO2-neutral. By gaining earthwarmt in the winter and cooling in the summer due to earthtemperature and this machine goes on electricity that is made by suncollectors (don't know if that is the real english word for it...).

To stand at the fair was a good trigger for other alpacabreeders as well. We have 3 people who will / have done fairs with their alpacas in the last weeks / or will do it in the next few weeks. I 'll think it is a good opportunity to promote your own alpacafarm and alpacas and alpacaproducts in common... So keep up the good work (advertisements).

Hope you all do fine, see you,

Leo
www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Countryfair Marienwaerdt Beesd Netherlands

2010-08-28T02:56:00.000-07:00

Just to give an impression of the alpacas at the fair

Click on the link below to watch te video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cjR9A52Xzs

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

We did build the stand and did some english fencing

2010-08-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

For more details look at photos at facebook.

After a long hard day of work. We have a superstand at the fair - Heerlijkheid Marienwaerdt (Beesd)

Crushed two vans of ours today... The first accident was with our new bus (only 2500 km on it). And secondly I bumped with my Kubota into Marieke's van... SHIT!

NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN 21 YEARS. NOW 2 ACCIDENTS IN 1 DAY.

Something with the figures? Just bad luck? No less sleep and to much in a hurry...!

http://www.facebook.com/ - see here more pictures...

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Agriculture fair Marienwaerdt in Beesd

2010-08-08T14:16:00.001-07:00

From 18 - 22 august we are present at the agriculture (farm) fair Marienwaerdt in Beesd. It is really beautifull fair. We are there with the alpacas and all possible products of them...

Marieke is doing a parcours with kids and alpacas (twice a day). So could be funny...!

See you,
Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

We saw a comet

2010-08-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

A girl of Comet II of Bozedown alpacas was born today.

The mother had her first cria. And she was really protective. Nice mother. Superfather. I really liked his fleece. And he has a beautifull conformation (he was supreme champion at several shows).

We had to help the cria out, because it only showed her head (without the legs). So I had to stretch them out... Then it became easy for the mother to deliver!

She was standing and drinking within 15 minutes...

Have a nice weekend,

Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Some pictures of exceptional studs...

2010-08-01T04:26:00.000-07:00

These are the studs "I" like the most...!
All true champions.
click on the pictures to enlarge

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

The studs we used this year... Bloodlines!

2010-07-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

The studs
a lot of Supreme Champions...

Silverstream Flashdance (2x)

Bonnac Achillies (4x)

ATA Cambridge Centurion (1x)

Bozedown Comet II (2x)

Bozedown Chicago II (1x)

Bozedown Kazzan (1x)

Classical MileEnd Paris (1x)

MileEnd Claudius (1x)

MileEnd Leon (1x)

Classical MileEnd Lysander (2x)

Classical MileEnd Tulaco Centurion (1x)

Dovecote Jacquinto of Alpaca Stud (1x female death)

Furthermore we bought some young female offspring

Bozedown Olympus daughter (1x)

Bozedown Sun King daughter (1x)

Bozedown The Captain (1x)

Dovecote Jacquinto daughters (2x)

Classical MileEnd Tulaco Centurion (1x)

Classical Ikon (1x)

Shanbrooke Toffee Crunch of MileEnd (1x)

etc.

---------------------------

Hope we have a good start with these genetics...
Happy weekend,
Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

First matings and watching monkeys do their job...

2010-07-31T03:35:00.000-07:00

At 29th of july Veerle my eldest became 11 years... She got a "triker" bike from her mom and dad! What a lot of fun. Too bad they don't have them in an larger one... (for daddy).
My eldest brother!

All the kids on a polar (ice)-bear....

Yesterdayafternoon we had our first day off since a month....! So we went with our kids and some extra, ha, ha... to the Zoo. It is the Zoo where one of my assistants worked for 10 years before she decided to come to us (our familyhouse is also a little zoo).

The kids where more interested in the playgarden then in the animals. So a lot of time for us to sit down and rest. Stayed till closingtime in the zoo (we were late 13.00 h) there... (another client/patient) who wanted help in the morning was the cause! But no worries, we just still till the END in the zoo.

When we arrived home we had some kids (friends of my eldest daughter) for a sleepingparty ... Furthermore we did the first matings with Lysander (last evening). He did well. We had to use a experienced stud to stimulate him in the first place. But he got in... (hmmm... I think that's no good English).

No other cria yet. Thought an old lady (alpaca) would deliver this moring, because she was very restless last night. But nothing to see yet...

See you later, have a nice weekend,

Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

A passion for alpacafashion !!!

2010-07-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

dress 1

coat 1

coat 2

coat 3

We are selling alpacaclothes since today! You want to see more examples? Mail us - info@bata4en.nl

Products are handmade and available in every size. We have a lot of designclothes. We are still looking for resellers in England, Belgium and Germany.

All natural colors of alpacas/llamas!!!

Interesting for buying or selling this beautiful alpacaclothes - info@bata4en.nl

See you, Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

the young ones...

2010-07-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

My little boy (Harrit) and my little girl (Lieke) with our new little cria boy .... (no name yet)

Since the last blog...! We lost the final due to an Englishmen... Spain didn't play better. I didn't quit understand the Judge Webb. He isn't very popular in The Netherlands.

In the mean time whe had some crias. There was for example a brown little girl of Bozedown Kazzan. The mother doesn't have a good fleece but her cria looks nice. Furthermore we had a very beautiful male cria. Mostly it is "not another boy". But this one is really welcome. You can immediatly see it's fleece becomes very nice. He is totally superwhite with a very long fleece. His father is Chicago of Bozedown and his mother's Father is Olympus of Bozedown. The both of them already won Supereme Championships in 2009/2010.

The mother is one of our best females...

So maybe this becomes a futher stud for us... (but we have to see).

Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

2010-07-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

Ok. The Worldcup...! Finally we in The Final again.

Hopefully we could win. Spain played a supergame against Germany.

We will see. If so..., then everything and everybody will turn orange in The Netherlands. Trying to paint / color the alpacas as well (just kidding).

We are still waiting for our first cria. This month (and august) we expect 6 cria.

See you...

Wow..... Goal!!!!

Goals against Brasil

Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Claudius the third Emperor

2010-07-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we tried a first mating with Claudius. He is celebrating his second birthday in august. So he is very young but also full of hormons. A real Emperor of the Lowlands.

He did well. See the pictures.

Claudius at work and Lysander watching and learning

If you are interested for matings. Call us at 0031 - (0) 418 - 591302 (between 8.30 - 19.00 h).

See you,

Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Castrate an alpaca

2010-06-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

It takes about 10-15 minutes / 2 people.
So take a look at the video.
Also at the Bata4en - channel at YOUTUBE

Video how to castrate an alpaca

See you! Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Press the play button!

The blue heron mill in Haaften

2010-06-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

View from the dike.

In Haaften we got our own mill just behind the dike: "The Blue Heron Mill".

It is a beautiful smal village at the river "The Waal" in the Netherlands. It has about 2600 citizens and was formerly an agriculture community.

And we have of course about 30 alpacas, ha, ha....

See you,

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Haaften: Seen from the river the "Waal".

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

100 Alpacas in a Mercedes - Guiness book of records?

2010-06-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

We did it! A new worldrecord? 100 Alpacas in a Mercedes 300.

Our neighbour collected our 100 Alpaca(toys). They are for sale...

We already sold 4 of them in four days, ha, ha...

Mail the alpaca-vet

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Shearing a supreme champion

2010-06-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today we sheared Lysander (one of the last ones).
Well, I think we have some good alpacas..., but there is only one "Lysander".
Amazing...., really, really amazing...., WHAT A FLEECE. Not excellent! He is SUPERIOR to what I have seen in any alpaca in Holland, Germany and Belgium.

We did saw some nice fleeces from Australia a few weeks back, but Lysander is even better (I was suprised).

SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

I will make some pictures of the fleece tomorrow to show you.

3.8 kg of first class fleece (already throw away second and third class fleece).

He did his first mating last week. No little boy anymore...

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

Tetralogy of Fallot

2010-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week we got a female alpaca in our practice with a cria of 1 day. The cria was very weak, wouldn't drink. So we gave him some tubefeeding. After three times his state of happiness wasn't any better. Still sleepy and very tired. Looked like if he had trouble with breathing.

Hmmm.... Futher clinical examination. --> Auscultation of the heart gave a big souffle - like a steammachine....

Something wrong with his heart / circulation. We decided (with the owner) that evening that we euthenase him. We did a pathology-investigation on him. What did we found?

A tetralogy of Fallot! Never heard of it in an alpaca. Wooooo ... Still learning.

The cria had an ventrikel septum defect, an extisting right aorta and the muscle of his right ventrikel were even bigger then of his left ventrikel.

Ok. We search on the internet. It was mentioned that they found some. No relation could be made to the stud or the female (mother).

A alpaca with this heartcondition has no chance of survival.

See you...,

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

P.S.

Our SD-card of of Madrid crashed (o, no...). So we have no pictures left. Please send us some of your pictures (dear readers and Madrid congress visitors).

Alpaca worldcongress

2010-06-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

Parc in Madrid

Marieke is looking for a good spot to swim?

At the speakersroom!

Just two bold guys on a hot night in Madrid....

My German collegae

The galadinner

I see ten nationalities

Our English and Dutch friends at a coffeebreak

Discussions...?!

Our dear Libby - promoting the BAS!

Congress in Madrid was great!

It was silly there were so few visitors. I think about 60 persons from all over the world. But that makes this congress very interesting because everybody could speak and learn from eachother.
The lectures and speakers were fantastic!!! I can´t understand that the organiser Alan B. Staples had get some many interesting subject for alpacas on his program.
I was very sorry for him there were such a few people. I don´t think he will ever do this again (for alpaca-industry). And that´s a shame.
Very glad we went to Madrid.
For those who are interested we write a short report on the lectures. I´ll send it to you when you give us your e-mail adress (mail to info@bata4en.nl)

Bye, bye....
Leo

www.bata4en.nl/alpaca

2010-05-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

I was asked to mention the Tuberculose Alpaca Blog http://www.tbinalpacas.blogspot.com/ . I think it is a usefull blog. So...

Greetings, Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Embryo Transfer in Alpacas

2010-05-26T12:03:00.001-07:00

We are going to start our ET-CRIA program.

We have a new goal: "Succesful implanting after freezing the embryo."

---------------------------------------

Check out this SlideShare Presentation about ET in alpacas:

Embryo Transfer in Alpacas

View more presentations from jorge_llama_guy.

The fastest shearer in town....

2010-05-25T06:14:00.001-07:00

At Sunday we had a visit from Chris Williams of Ambursun Alpaca (Australie). We first did some drinks at our place and then go for a BBQ with some friends of ours (Eline and Hans). Chris decided to go with us.

We did go by bike but at Hans they drove the ferrari (F355) for half an hour. The meat was fantastic on the US Cooker of our guest. Also the beer, wine, champagne and the snaps (Texelaartje). Well then my lights went out.

We should shear some alpacas in the morning. But I think Chris wasn't feeling to well also... So we still have to shear another 8 1/2 alpaca, ha, ha... We will do it this afternoon.

Was a good weekend... See you later on the blog,

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Half done...

2010-05-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

We were shearing our blooddonors, when suddenly our shearingequipment refused to work any longer.... Something was very wrong with that machine, ha, ha....

The alpaca Storm (a gelded male) was looking very strange. A new very modern haircut!?

Immediatly (same day / yesterday) I bought a second shearing machine and repaired the "old" one. But he will have to wait for saterday that Marieke and I can finish the job.

We are becoming fantastic weather in the next days (this weekend). So the last alpacas can be shorn... Have a nice weekend,

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

2010-05-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

Our first alpaca female (a girl from Chile) with our eldest daughter.

This picture was taken a few years back.

Today we scanned the females. They were all pregnant, except the last three. We did expect this... so no disappointment. We collected blood (for progestronlevels). If they are low, we treat the girls with prostaglandines. And mate them five days later (after given Receptal).

We put in the "new ones" from England in our "herd". They really have to adapt to their new situation. The black stud is really a macho. He isn't afraid of anything. Really looking great.

Mail the alpaca-vet

2010-05-17T00:51:00.000-07:00

Life at my parents farm (many years ago)...

Maas Rijn IJssel cattle (small herd - 60 cows)

Photo: My sister, me in the middle and my father

Last weeks we were visiting some very known alpacabreeders in The Netherlands. They have very different breedinggoals ...!? Some very beautifull alpacas with lovely fleeces (all around the alpaca). Some breeders go for good conformation and others go for the best fleeces.

We (Marieke and I) go for excellent conformation and the better fleeces (all around). We don't like the big heads, short neck and long back... Our three studs for the end of this year / next year are offering the best genetics in every color in The Benelux. ME Leon, ME Claudius and CME Lysander ET. Hope there will be some more shows in the future in the Benelux.

Furthermore I was looking on the internet for alpacas in Norway and Finland. Seems that they are much further in breeding and started a national studbook in these lands.

All the same breeders (who exports to The Netherlands) have much exported to these lands (Finland and Norway). Mariah Hill, Tim Hey, Bozedown, etc. It suprised me that they have a worldwide / european influence on the alpacamarket. The Fins are member of AZVD. I'll think it is strange that allways the same farms are exporting...

I'll guess that there never will be an export of an alpaca from The Netherlands to USA, England or NZ and Australië. We must hurry with an importscreening for alpacas in The Netherlands!

Many greetings,

Leo
Mail the alpaca-vet

New Champion?

2010-05-15T01:54:00.001-07:00

He really is a great looking alpaca

CME Claudius of Alpacas of the Lowlands

Hope he will do fine at the shows!

Mail the alpaca-vet

The fiber-work-shop pictures

2010-04-30T02:04:00.000-07:00

Chas Brooke - explaining / Marieke van Merwijk - translating
Just looking at some fleeces / judging

More skirting

Back to theory versus practice

Chas answering some questions after his presentation

Some visitors of the workshop

Mail the alpaca-vet

Fibreworkshop - 29th of april.

2010-04-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

In English and Dutch (Click on the picture to enlarge)

On the 29th op april we organised a fibreworkshop for alpacabreeders in The Netherlands and Belgium. We invited Rachel Hebditch and Chas Brooke of Classical MileEnd to do the workshop.

If you like to participate please mail us: info@bata4en.nl

National attention for International Champion!

2010-03-23T03:29:00.000-07:00

Lysander got his national attention!

In "The Telegraaf"; biggest newspaper in The Netherlands (http://www.telegraaf.nl/).

Pag 7 this morning. (Click on the paper to enlarge the picture to a readable growth - Dutch).

-----------------------------------------

I was also interviewed by SBS6 (national TV) but they didn't know it will be an item.

Greetings, Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

The Ultimate Champion - CME Lysander ET

2010-03-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

Not only in our dreams...

Classical MileEnd Lysander ET

New KING!!! The one and only...

Grand Champion Huacaya

Grand Champion Fleece

The Benelux Alpaca Show - Hapert

Thanks to Rachel and Chas of Classical MileEnd Alpacas for breeding (and let go) such an amazing alpaca.

CLASSICAL MILEEND ALPACAS

BREEDING THE ULTIMATE CHAMPION

thanks!

Mail the alpaca-vet

Alpaca surfing!

2010-03-17T02:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming! Surfing...! Not only on the web and also for alpacas?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pM7zJRiWBo (after the commercial - 20 seconds).

Mail the alpaca-vet

The Dutch Alpaca Studbook

2010-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

A new "Dutch" registration for alpacas.

For more info mail us!

The Dutch Alpaca Studbook.

Leo van Merwijk (DVM)

Mail the alpaca-vet

Sale: Only 675.000 $

2010-03-05T04:21:00.000-08:00

Sold in auction / yesterday!

It wasn't the highest sold alpacamale (1.250.000 $) - see photo, but certainly very expensive and superior.
Had at 5th shearing a micron of 16.6 with an SD of 3.5 !!!

His homecoming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qwaigLn7lU
The auction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhvOB1iFF5E

Mail the alpaca-vet

We also had winners in the Futurity

2010-03-01T04:12:00.000-08:00

Well, suprised as Marieke was....

She was looking at the fleeces at the Futurityshow and saw our own animals (just the fleeces) in the competition. Also Eboli (see former article on this blog) won a price. Never saw her, never saw her fleece. We bought her a year ago... So Marieke brought a little bit of all the fleeces for me to Holland. Not disappointing. But she is grey and not black!!!

Mail the alpaca-vet

BMI Baby

2010-02-26T14:49:00.000-08:00

Marieke flew today with BMI Baby to Birmingham. Well, she booked online and printed a boarding ticket (just like we just to do with Easyjet and Flybee. She put initials on her boarding ticket and not her full surname! She was punished and had to pay a ticket of 175 euro each???

There was just a new law in England (UK), that they had to pay an extra fee / ticket for this. Well the original booking was less amount than the ticket...

Is this some fraud of BMI Baby. I guess it is. Never heard of it. So if anybody can explain: please do...

Further more a weighted the litte cria who's mother died of a nefrotoxic syndrom. She almost is 18 kg (in 8 weeks). So she doing fine on lambmilk....

That is a relieve.

Have a nice weekend,

Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Futurity show UK

2010-02-26T02:01:00.001-08:00

http://www.britishalpacafuturity.com/

This morning about seven o'clock, Marieke left for the Futurity show in the UK. She has taken a friend with her. It's a great show. We went their last year and were exposed to a lot of super alpacas. That's when the (alpaca) virus really get us in a grip...

Hope they will have a great time...

Mail the alpaca-vet

Fibregest and Camelibra

2010-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

IT AL STARTS WITH A GOOD BALANCE IN FEEDING!

This week we recieved our first shipment of special alpacafeed from the UK. It is very hard to find a suitable feeding in the Netherlands.
We did take Fibregest and Camelibra with us when we imported the alpacas. But it is (was) not for sale in The Netherlands. You can buy it by sending us a mail...

Fibregest is a combination of digestible “super soluble” fibres derived from cooked sugar beet pulp, alfalfa leaf meal and lean black oats, together with added seaweed meal, bio-availalbe minerals, vitamin E and Oatinol.

Camelibra is a complementary feed for alpacas, llamas and camels, designed to provide nutritional support for maintaining a high level of nutrient release and absorption from a natural, forage/fibre based diet.

For more information - mail us!

Mail the alpaca-vet

Ebola, E-coli or Eboli

2010-02-23T15:22:00.001-08:00

A new femal. Black is black, I want my baby (alpaca) back.... Her name is Eboli.

Bought in England and still overthere for mating to ATA Centurion.

We are just starting with black alpacas as well.

Greetings, Leo

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AAEV doesn't ban any alpaca!

2010-02-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Today I recieved a mail from the chairman of de AAeV.

He wants to clear some facts that I have been mentioning on this blog.
The AAeV never banned any animal specific from a severe country.

The topic is that the Alpaca Association e.V. (that I’m chairing) has never banned any Alpaca from any country, The fact that Kate Manker is referring to is, that the AZVD has implemented this ban in their new show rules.

Please make sure this is clearly understood!!

I am sorry for making the mistake. Just followed the information I had. AAEV doens't ban any alpaca from their shows.

It is only the AZVD who has implemented this totally absurd show rule! There is no technical veterinary base for this rule! By this blog I ask you to send an email to the AZVD that they maybe should reconsider this decision on the show rule.

email the AZVD: info@alpakazuchtverband.de

Many greetings, Leo

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Black!

2010-02-05T02:38:00.000-08:00

We missed a good black stud in our herd. But here he is....

Claudius. Son of Canchones Witness.

He has competeted in all great shows in England.

All second places (5x)!

First matings are planned - summer 2010

You want to improve the offspring of your brown and black female alpacas? Call us! 0031 (0) 418 591302

Ask for Marieke or Leo... (number is of the vetpractice).

Greetings, Leo

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The Germans have gone mad!

2010-02-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

Today I recieved a letter from the President of the AANZ (Alpaca Association New Zealand).
It said that the Germans decided that they wouldn't allow alpaca's which have been imported to Europe after 1-1-2009 because of TB-problems.
-------------------------------------

Well, see the former article on this blog: "TB or not TB" for my opinion.

We don't have any NZ-Alpacas. But I think this measurements aren't helping.... TB is a hype in Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. England has a serious problem at the moment....

------------------------------------------------

President
Alpaka Zucht Verband Deutchland e V.
Ickinger Strasse 8a
D-82335
Berg-Morlbach
Germany
info@alpakazuchtverband.de

Herbert Ruch
Chairman
Alpaka Association eV
Talstrasse 52
72532 Gomadingen-Wasserstetten
Germany
info@alpacaassociation.com

Dear President/Chairman

We have been advised by some of your concerned members that you have introduced a rule - ostensibly for health (Tb) reasons - that farms that have imported alpacas from New Zealand since 1/1/2009 will be excluded from German Shows.

As the industry representative body in New Zealand this gives us a great deal of concern – especially as you are implying a Tb concern with New Zealand alpacas – where there is no concern to express.

Here are some facts about NZ alpacas and Tb in this country. It is a shame you did not bother to research these facts (or talk to us) before making your decision.

1) New Zealand Government is the most pro-active in the world regarding Tb control and eradication.
2) AANZ has run a voluntary Tb testing and notification scheme (in parallel to Government schemes for cattle and deer) since 1998.
3) In that time many thousand alpacas have been tested clear of Tb each year, on an annual basis.
4) In these 12 years we have had 2 isolated breakdowns. Both in small pet herds who had chosen not to participate in the scheme. One (early in the life of the scheme) was a single alpaca whose Tb was encapsulated. The second (6 years ago) was 2 alpacas in an untested herd (i.e. not part of the scheme) from an endemic Tb area. In both these cases the Tb was contracted from wild vector population and there was no spread to other alpacas in the same herd/paddock or to other farms.
5) Tb is a notifiable disease in NZ and all vets are obligated to advise the Government upon suspicion of Tb. No advice has been made except for the two old cases noted above.
6) All AANZ members are requested to lodge post mortem findings with the Association. There have been never been any post mortem lodged that report Tb.
7) All alpacas exported from New Zealand come from clear herds under the voluntary Tb scheme - so have been regularly tested through their lives for Tb and proven clear.
8) All alpacas exported from New Zealand have been Tb tested by MAF (our government biosecurity agency) whilst in isolation for export. This EU dictated testing is to a more rigid test than our voluntary scheme and is designed to filter out even the slightest suspect sign of Tb – be it the dangerous bovine Tb or the innocuous avian Tb.
9) In recent years we are not aware of a single alpaca refused export because of Tb concerns, and many hundred alpacas are exported each year from New Zealand.
10) No UK case of Tb has implicated NZ sourced alpacas.

So you can see your ban does not reflect the actual Tb situation in NZ. It is also is contrary to the EU rules on import of alpacas into Germany.

We have a few questions concerning the background to this ban.

1) Have there been any cases of Tb in alpaca in Germany? We understand not.
2) Have any of these cases involved alpaca imported recently from NZ? We understand not.
3) The AAev letter to members refers to consulting with experts in affected countries. We wish to know whom you consulted in New Zealand about this before deciding to discriminate against New Zealand alpacas?

We would also comment that your ban does not make a lot of sense when viewed from a bio-security point of view.

1) As above, alpacas imported to Germany have been tested clear for Tb to EU standards prior to import.
2) Tb is present in Peru and Chile, and the same import tests are done, yet these countries are not included in your ban.
3) Australian alpacas pass through NZ for 6 months prior to export to Europe, so Australian alpacas would carry the same perceived risk and should be banned also – but are not.
4) Imported alpacas you consider to be at risk cannot go to shows - but are free to mingle with German alpacas at other events, do mobile matings and meet up in other circumstances. Hardly a true isolation situation. If you were serious about this being a health concern you would need to totally isolate these farms.

In general Tb is a disease which

Comes from a domestic source, not an imported one. I note that the literature refers to cases of Tb still existing in cattle in Germany - despite Germany supposedly being officially Tb free.
Is usually from wild animal vector contact, only very rarely from alpaca to alpaca contact (although that possibility does exist and has been recorded in the UK in a small minority of their cases).

In NZ, AANZ has set rules around shows that ensure that alpacas can only go to shows if they come from a herd that is independently Tb tested regularly in line with the AANZ voluntary Tb scheme, and if that herd is tested clear from Tb. We have no problems with alpaca exhibitors, or cattle exhibitors with this rule.

We suggest that instead of your rather broad brush ban, you should consider a similar scheme to the one we use to provide bio-security at your shows.

It would be simple for purchasers of alpacas from NZ to request a copy of the selling herd Government Certificate of Tb Herd Clearance which can be presented to German Show organisers along with entry forms.

This will prove long term seller herd Tb clearance, and – along with the MAF tests on export - should give you more than adequate evidence that NZ alpacas imported into Germany are absolutely Tb free.

In summary we believe your rule

1) Unfairly discriminates against some of your breeders. Whether this is legally enforceable in Germany is between you and your breeders. It would not be in New Zealand.
2) does not achieve its goal – if its goal is indeed a health one
3) is contradictory to EU regulations on import of alpacas
4) damages the reputation of New Zealand alpacas unfairly (which is our main concern as the National representative body of New Zealand breeders)

We request you cease such a rule in relation to NZ alpacas with immediate effect to avoid us taking more serious rectification measures. And consider the alternative suggested by us above.

Finally let us say that in our experience Tb is an emotive subject, and one which can get uninformed breeders highly agitated very quickly.

It is the absolute responsibility of representative Alpaca Associations around the world to try to avoid such emotive response, and to handle the Tb subject with full knowledge of the facts, dissemination of such facts, and rules that work well and properly address the problem.

We are not convinced that Germany does have a Tb problem at present. If you do we are happy to offer our NZ expertise in camelid Tb (probably the longest established expertise available in the world) to assist you in putting together an effective Tb monitoring and control programme across your alpaca population.

We look forward to the withdrawal of your current ruling. We suggest you refer to more facts coming to hand that you were not aware of previously.

We remain happy to provide you with more information should you need it.

Kind Regards,
Kate Mander
President, AANZ
(Alpaca Association of New Zealand)

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Typical Dutch!

2010-01-30T08:53:00.000-08:00

No money involved!

Just a great picture(s). We were looking for some roe deer and foxes in the neighbourhood. We saw about 20 roe deer and 1 fox (and a lot of predatore birds).

But we saw this picture of snow were nobody was this morning. Looking on a Dutch watermill (to keep our feet dry). The long water / little river / frozen / ready for skating and the willows on one side of the water. This is Holland!

Have a nice weekend, Leo

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TB or not TB

2010-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis in cattle is mostly caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium (M.) bovis. To fight this bacteria is hard because it lives both intra- and extracellular (not all antibiotics reach the intracellular level. Next to this the bacteria is able to mutate (change) quickly, effective antibiotics are suddenly useless. The bacteria has turned resistant to the antibiotic used by us.

Netherlands
The Netherlands is still officially free of tuberculosis. This doesn’t mean that imported animals aren’t a threat. But these animals are being found by “track and trace’ and destroyed (including animals that have been in contact with these animals). Further spread of M. Bovis is prevented by these measurements.

Alpacas
The danger of alpacas is actually the screening (skin) test (obliged when importing an alpaca) used to identify a bTB infection This test isn’t sensitive and specific enough for alpacas (and certain other animalspecies). This means that there will be false-negative results (false-positive doesn’t seem to happen that much in alpacas). An alpaca does have the M. Bovis bacteria but the test isn’t showing it. This fact could be very harmful for our alpacaherd.
The best test to diagnose TB in your alpaca is a chest X-ray . Laesions in the lungs are found in an early stage.
Laboratoria are trying to develop a bloodtest that recognises specific DNA-material (PCR-test) of the M. Bovis bacteria. So far with unsatisfactory results.

How is bTB spread?
In southern England bTB is a major problem. The badgerpopulation seems to be infected with TB and badgers are thriving well in the UK. New infections take place because of badgers roaming around the area. Different actions are being proposed to deal with the infected badgerpopulation, from vaccination of all badgers (sounds impossible) to shooting badgers to halt the spread of TB.
When the infection is worsening in an animal, inflammatory lesions (tubercle) are being formed in the lungs. When these lesions burst the bacteria is free to leave the animal through the airway (coughing). The environment is infected and another animal can pick up the bacteria. This is the main infectionroute, but the bacteria is also excreted through faeces.
An infected animal isn’t a sick animal. The bacteria can hide itself (latent infection). It may take months before an animals shows any symptoms, usually when the animal is in a stressful situation (labor, transport, show, parasitic infection etc).
In cattle the tuberculinationskintest is usually positive when an animal has been in contact with M. Bovis (no illness symptoms necessary). Unfortunately it doesn’t work that good in alpacas. Too many false negative results.

bTB symptoms
Symptoms aren’t shown till the illness is in its last stage. What symptoms and the severity depends on location of the inflammatory lesions. And usually very aspecific.
Weightloss and a hard dry cough (if the lungs are severely damaged), but this doesn’t mean it is TB. Lots of other diseases can cause these symptoms as well.
Further diagnosis by X-rays in living animals to check on tubercles in the lungs. Or autopsy is necessary to diagnose cause of death.

Therapy and prevention
As mentioned before the bacteria can settle itself intracellular. Rifampicine and possible enrofloxacine (both antibiotics) are suitable to treat tuberculosis. BUT treatment is longlasting (6 months) and therefore very expensive. And there is no guarantee the animal will recover and how much scarring tissue is present in the lungs (this is irreversible). In the Netherlands it is not allowed to treat animals, they should be destroyed (because of the bTB free status). In the UK it is possible to start a treatment when an alpaca is diagnosed or suspected of bTB. As in the Netherlands, alpacas in the UK aren’t qualified as livestock. This means that the livestock law doesn’t include the alpaca.
The author’s opinion is that the dutch regulating authorities aren’t experienced enough with this bTB in alpacas and it misapplies the EU legislation concerning this matter.
For me it doesn’t seem wise to let bTB animals alive. Positive X-rays next to positive tuberculination test should mean putting the animal down as soon as possible and have it autopsied.
When positively diagnosed (culture / Ziehl Neelsen staining), all animals on the farm should be X-rayed. All positive animals should be euthanased to prevent further spreading.
De stalls of the contaminated farm should be cleaned and disinfected on a regularly basis.
If need be heat treatment or UV-radiation, ethanol 70% or formaldehyde to fight the bacteria in the surroundings.

A notification?
Tuberculosis in alpacas is a notifiable contagious disease because of the danger to people (zoonosis). At the moment there is no registered TB skintest with a correct expiration date available (see authors own experiences with the TB skintest of the government!). The government itself is thereby in violation of applying a correct TB skintest. As previously mentioned, the Netherlands is officially free of bTB.

Advice & Discussion
Autopsy should always be performed on a dead alpaca, especially when symptoms included weightloss, respiratory problems and fever.

View Author
Because of the Dutch free bTB-status it is clear that bTB in the Dutch cattlepopulation hardly plays a role here in the Netherlands. But alpaca owners should be aware of the risks of importing alpacas (especially from higher risk areas). And the owners should act responsible towards the whole alpaca herd and human health by reporting sick, of bTB suspected animals and perform autopsy on animals that have died on the premises.
The only just method to protect your herd against bTB is X-rays. In an attempt to detect the disease as early as possible and fight the bacteria.
Animals attending a show should be stationed per region, to prevent further spreading throughout the country. Closed fencing to avoid direct contact between animals from different breeders and minimize a chance of bTB spreading

For now the risk of bTB in the Netherlands seems no issue. Especially, because the slaughter line of cattle is continuously monitored (not alpacas, this should be our own responsibility as a breeder).

Leo J.H. van Merwijk – DVM
Bata4en – Animal Hospital
www.bata4en.nl
www.dierenarts-en-alpaca.blogspot.com
www.alpacasofthelowlands.com

Aphrodite's child

2010-01-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

Aphrodite's Child - Spring Summer Winter And Fall

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Happy new year

2010-01-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Dear readers of this blog,

Marieke and I wish you and your alpacas all the best for 2010. We started our year with a beautifull cria of CME Tulaco Centurion. We call her AOL "Blue Moon". We give our cria a new with a "B" in 2010.

(Last day of december was a blue moon. That means second time full moon in a month - very rare).

Many greetings,

Leo

P.S. Marieke will keep a blog on "Levende Have" (dutch). See: http://www.levendehave.nl/node/8267

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HCT ok!

2009-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

We have taken bloodsamples of all the alpacas after the last horrible incident. Everything seems to be normal. All the alpacas had a HCT (hematocriet / red cell count) between 33 and 52. Our blooddonors seems to have the highest HCT (after injections with Iron).

Nothing wrong with the herd? Let's hope so...

--------------------------

Yesterday we (The Vet Practice) had a alpaca-patiënt which / who's HCT was only 14!!! We discussed a bloodtransfusion. Her weight was just above the 30 kg (adult female). It was treated against worminfections every three months (that's ok). Nothing wrong with that!

Problem with alpacas is what dewormer are you using and how much of it.

This patient probably had Barber worm in combination with stomachulcera and a negative energie balans after birthing. I believe she will be ok in a several weeks with our treatment.

----------------------------

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Pathalogic results of Wasaki

2009-11-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

ARUNVAL WASAKI

About 1.5 to 2 liters of blood in her intestine. Normal contains in stomach and lower bowel. In between just a very large pipeline with blood. Shutting down of the liver....

Diagnos: Catharal enteritis. Don't know what caused this. It takes only several hours for an alpaca to die.... Further examination (bacteria and histological research is to follow).

No coccidia or worms were found - that is a relieve.

Just bad luck - it seems....!

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New fleece samples of our studs

2009-11-12T04:10:00.000-08:00

Just got the results of 2d fleeces of

Lysander - 16.77 micron SD 4.3
Claudius - 21.4 micron SD 4.3

Claudius is a black male, sun of Canchoness Witness.

Super results for second fleeces...

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A lot has happened since the last message...

2009-11-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

A flashback..., no not the alpacastud Flashback!

A few good cria were born last month. No problems what so-ever...

Yesterday we had our first show. We had never shown our animals because we thought we only wanted to show winning material.

And so we did. CME Lysander ET became Grand Champion Beige / Fawn at the Germany West-show in Krefeld. And his halfsister became first in her class.

The competion was hard in every class. Almost all alpacas had extreme quality. If you see the progress which has been made in the last three years at shows in the Benelux and Germany...! It is unbelieveble - lots of excellent imports were done... Now we will have to breed the same quality ourselves (that will be more difficult than buying a excellent animal).

Of the six classes in Krefeld - three were won by the Dutch (that does say something about the progress there's made in the last year). 1 class was won by a college (DVM) from Belgium and two classes (and the Supreme Champion) were won by one and the same farm from Germany.

We were totally happy - 2 alpacas - 2 first in class and 1 Grand Champion. What better start with our showteam could we wish......

THEN CAME THIS HORRIBLE MORNING! Arunvale Wasaki. One of our best females was down in the field. She couldn't get on her feet. Her colour was pale. She had lost a lot of blood or was getting into a shock. Immediate action was taken. In 10 minutes we had a bag of blood from one of the donors (by Marieke and Gemma). In the meantime Mandy and me (Leo) were getting Wasaki on a car/tractor out of the field. We tried to gave her the bloodtransfusion and something against the anafylactic shock which sometimes occur.

After half an hour she gave up. Leaving us devestated (with a half empty bag of blood) behind. What happened here??? Saterday she looked a little bit slower, but she ate very well. She had a good weight (67 kg) last week. She was treated against coccidia with Vecoxan and furthermore she got panacur-pills (fenbendazole) and Levamisole (injections) against worminfections over the last few weeks...

No price at a show makes this lost ok!

Probably it was an aneurisma or another kind of bleeding in her belly. Ulcera? Torsi of the Uterus? We would like to get an object pathologic finding, so we brought her to dr. Dorresteijn which is known for his good diagnosis in alpacadeaths in The Netherlands and Belgium. We could have done it ourselves, but I was to emotional to do it right (and we are not specialized in pathology).

We hopefully hear something tomorrow of dr. Dorresteijn.

What a bloody shame and a f...... waste. Whithin 3 months after importing her to The Netherlands she died. She was the mother of Quickstep who won her class yesterday and she was carrying another Jaquinto cria. When shit happens, it happens very shit!!!

So this were the emotions of the last few days - from totally happy till broken down... Fortunatly we have other girls / boys for our 2010 showteam. WE WILL BE BACK! BETTER AND STRONGER!!!

Thanks for the lovely mails from our alpacafriends we already recieved. It is still a great happy (alpaca) family in The Netherland, Belgium, Germany and the UK. It seems to me that it is important to share information with our alpacafriends so we can all learn something from these sort of horrible deaths...

We will try to post a newsletter on a veterinary topic (of alpacas) every week from now.

Wishing you and your alpacas good health...,

Leo van Merwijk (DVM)

Alpacas of the Lowlands

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New born female cria

2009-10-17T02:42:00.000-07:00

AOL Avalon

Her mother is AOL Eline and her father is CD (Alpaca-farm Carpe Diem)-U2

Notice the floppy ear. See earlier articles

Have a nice weekend,
Leo

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Lysander - second place at fleece show

2009-10-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend CME Lysander ET fleece became second in Burgstädt (Germany). Promising a good future for him because his actual fleece is much better then last year.... Tim Hey (Inca Alpaca) was the judge.

See 3th Ost show of Germany
http://www.alpaka-show.de/

and the weblog of this show
http://alpaka-show.spaces.live.com/

Another good result on his (Lysanders) record. Up to Krefeld (in November).

Good weekend,
Leo

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Three pregnant ladies?

2009-09-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

At the right of this photo our first female (she is dead) with two of her sons. She was peruvian, and did have a really nice fleece.

At the moment we have three pregnant ladies who should / could "collaps" every minute. Maybe the most difficult for us with a very busy life (as a vet) to keep an eye on these girls.

The little boy with the FTT is a little better after 2 iron injections and every day injection with an NSAID (Non steroid Anti Inflammentory Drug). This is also against the pain. We saw him standing / scraping his teeth.... - an indication of pain. I (Leo) suspect him also that he has developed some stomach-ulcers... I didn't treat him for it. First see what the other injections will do.

Had some serious questions about buying alpacas last few days... We did mention some farms, but I get the notice that my advice is doing nothing, ha, ha... We have no interess in selling our own animals at this moment (or you must be interested in some Coburger Fuchs sheep, ha, ha...).
So again: Our advice is freely and independent! We don't get any money from any alpacafarm. We don't have any benifit from our advice. We like to help people to get a really "good start" with their new herd. You can ask us for free for advice (for us it is just a hobby with an huge H - an expression of Marieke). But certainly it is your decision from who you will buy the alpacas. I hope you don't make the same mistakes as we did when we started... It is remarkeble to see that so many people in Holland wants to buy quality alpacas.

Makes it more difficult for us to win some prices in the future, ha, ha....!

We sent Lysanders (our "super" future stud) fleece to germany for a show. We will see. I'll keep you informed.

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Immunoproblems in alpacas

2009-09-18T06:03:00.001-07:00

....................... and bloodsamples

Photo: Bloodsamples taken of an alpaca suspected of FTT Bata4en - Vet - Lab. (micr. 10 x 40)

As a mentioned before: There are a lot of immunoproblems in alpacas. You can categorise them in three groups:

IDS / Immunodeficiency syndrome
FPT / Failure of Passive Transfer (see article IgG)
FTT / Failure to Thrive

The last; FTT was new for me. But now I have such an animal in my own herd.

The symptoms. The cria is growing normally til the moment of weaning. After that period the cria will loose weight. Most owners think it is because of the weaning. IgG-levels are mostly in a normal range (above 800 mg/dl). Futher studies on bloodlevels give a very low rate of iron and an anemic animal (very low RBC / red blood cel count). When the IgG level is low the prognosis is almost infaust - or at least very bad...

Most of them (but not all) will have very low thyroxine levels in their blood.

It is often first noticed at an age of 6 months. The alpaca is staying behind in growth. It is recommended that a treatment is started immidiatly after diagnosed.

Treatment:

Ironinjections / every 7 - 10 days.

T4 - supplement (orally) hormons

Hyperimmuneplasma should be administred

Multivitamins and selenium in feeding

-----------------

Prognose 30 - 40% of the animals will die. It seems to be NON - hereditary! Females who will recover have normal crias.

We can test your animals within several minutes for their IgG Hematocriet and T4 levels. Let us know when you expect such a problem... You can also ask your vet to contact us.

Many greetings and a nice day to you,

Leo

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Hip problems

2009-09-13T03:50:00.001-07:00

Last week I saw a patiënt with a locomotionproblem. It looks like it has a hipproblem (dysplasia). He walks the same like a dog with HD. We did some research in our literature, but their is nothing documented on this subject in alpacas.

So if anybody have any information on this subject, please e-mail... info@bata4en.nl

Photo: Heupdysplasia in a dog / source: www.bata4en.blogspot.com

Thanks,

Leo

P.S. "Yes we will take some X-ray, but probably the cria is too young at the moment".

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2009-09-12T12:25:00.001-07:00

Today we picked up three girls. They were at alpaca farm Carpe Diem for matings.... Yvonne and Jan showed us some sons of Chieftain (a australian stud which is own by a former Dutchman Michiel de Reeper). One of them was really great. Only 3 months old and standing as a real CHIEF.

I hope the girls are pregnant! One of the litte cria is becoming really great... Her father is Classical Ikon. Personally I wasn't charmed by this stud, but Marieke made a good desission with Ikon.

Yvonne and Jan - thank you for taking good care of our girls.

On the photo: Last cria born (with floppy ears). It is sign of "early birth". Plasma should be used - Ask for the newsletter for more information.

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Twitter

2009-09-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

http://twitter.com/leovanmerwijk

Also on twitter....

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IgG and alpacas

2009-09-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Immuno globulin G

IgG is one of the antibodies which have all living animals / humans... Antibodies are trying to keep you from sickness. Alpacas are born with very low levels of IgG. They will get their IgG by colostrum... It is therefore important when the mare has no milk or the cria won't suckle IgG is given to the cria.

IgG can easy be won by plasma (blood without cells) from an alpaca of your herd.

It is possible that we measure the IgG level of your alpaca. When the IgG level is low or stays low it can be necessary to give your alpaca some plasma. Sometimes that means months after the cria is born. Otherwise your alpaca will have healthproblems at the first year of age.

You can contact us for measuring your alpaca/cria bloodsample for IgG-level.

Or just mail us for our first newsletter (nr. 1) which is about ALPACA / CRIA / PLASMA

info@bata4en.nl

Greetings, Leo

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New corrals from the US

2009-09-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

We bought two corrals from the United States. They are very light and easy to transport.

The two little females from England were in today. Nice at the gras of the garden to our house (sight from our kitchen).

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Chas tubefeeding

2009-09-05T10:48:00.001-07:00

He 's really easy (just knows how to handle), handy and fast with alpacas. Ultrasound is made in 5 seconds. Tubefeeding alone... No worries...! The real Alpacawhisperer: Chas Brooke

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Tubefeeding a cria

2009-09-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Saw a nice video on the website about tubefeeding...

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What's so special?

2009-09-02T13:59:00.001-07:00

I don't know! I didn't see it?
Ha, ha... It was beautifull. But they were closed!? So we were send away after going through the fence / gate. Nobody could own these forces from such an object. STUPID...

Very beautifull. You will pass it while going over the A303 in south of England. We did when collecting the alpacas last week.

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Does your alpaca have a infection which doesn't heal?

2009-09-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Then alway use a sterile swab to send to the laboratorium. They can tell you what bacteria is in the wound and which antibiotics you should use...
So we did!

Flatfoot and his friends...

2009-09-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Don't try this at home.
This young female has a problem with her tendons... And her feet. We have to immobilize her. Give her steroïds to make her tendons and muscles stronger.

Classical MileEnd Alpacas

2009-09-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks Rachel and Chas.

http://www.alpaca-uk.co.uk/

If your work is your hobby...

2009-09-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

X-ray! What do they say...?

First, I am a vet! And for my hobby, I have some alpacas.

What is more perfect then combining these two!

We have some alpaca-patiënts at our vet-practice this moment.

One of this patiënts has a problem with his frontleg. It was broken more than a year ago...

We made some pictures with our digital x-ray system (Philips). The fraction has healed, but their is an infection of the intramedullair bone. The inflammation will be flushed daily for several weeks with a combination of antibiotics. We first have taken a swab of the infection to determine which bacteria is involved and what antibiotics the best could be used...

Nice case for a vet who is interested in alpacas.

Many greetings, Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

2009-08-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

We always have beautifull alpacas for sale. Prices vary between 500 euro (pets) - 2500 (female - lower quality) till 20000 euro (superstuds).

Mail the alpaca-vet

The 18 hours of Jinke, the alpacas and me...

2009-08-31T01:46:00.001-07:00

We were going to Paris in England???

Some recommandations for transporting / exporting animals from England to the Netherlands.

Don't go for a ride all over England on the last weekend of the summer holiday (black Friday). The traffic jam is hell...

Never use Norfolkline for the transport of your animals. "We go for the wellfare of the animals". But they let them wait for 6 HOURS!!! All becaus of a little rain and wind... I had to beg to get to the mainland.

Don't use the port Dover - Calais or Dover - Dunkurque. Best boat to catch for the Netherlands is Harwich - Hoek van Holland. It is much more expensive, but much better for the animals. No waiting. Much larger ship - no worries for the animals - very stabel. You and the animals will get much more time for resting / sleep.

Don't put to much animals in a trailer. A good advice / protocol should be half the animals you can normally transport would be the max for such a long trip.

Take some hay and water with you and there must be enough straw on the floor.

There should be enough ventilation for the animals...

Stop every 2 to 3 hours. It is better for the animals. The stop wouldn't take longer than 10 minutes. The animals can standup when you are standing still.

At the photo's:

Me and the first officer of Norfolklline and two co-workers on the dock...

Chas Brook and me looking over compatible medicine in England and the Netherlands.

Genevuive getting mated with Paris (hopefully we will collect her in october with the other new 5 girls).

Mail the alpaca-vet

Lysander - The new King of The Lowlands

2009-08-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here he is...!

Lysander
-----------
The new King of The Lowlands.

Our brand new studmale

A super stud for the future who has already won some prestigous shows in England (look at the list at the end of this article). Most amazing fleece... never saw anything like this.

Thank you Chas and Rachel of Classical MileEnd of letting him go.

http://www.alpaca-uk.co.uk/

Many greetings, Leo

--------------------

British Alpaca Futurity 2009

Judge Amanda Vandenbosch

Junior White Male – 1st Classical MileEnd Lysander ET

---------------------

BAS Spring Show 2009

Judge Val Fullerlove

Junior White Male – 2nd Classical MileEnd Lysander

---------------------

Heart of England Show 2009

Judge Cathy Lloyd

Junior Fawn Male – 2nd CME Lysander ET

---------------------

Devon County Show 2009

Judge Vicki Agar

Junior Fawn Male – 3rd CME Lysander ET

---------------------

Royal Bath & West Show 2009

Judge Liz Barlow

Junior Fawn Male – 1st CME Lysander ET

---------------------

Mail the alpaca-vet

Girls on tour to the Netherlands...

2009-07-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

Glamourgirls from England

Here are the pictures of two ladies which come over to the Netherlands .... We bought three animals (not seen) on the Internet. It is something we never do!!! We always want to check them before buying. But we were lucky; two of them have nice fleeces (micron - 18 both at 11 months of age). And the other had a fleecesample (same age) of 16 micron....! Very beautiful small crimp. Density and brightness could be better. But this something to improve in the next generation.

We have several options for very beautiful animals. But first we have to think what our breeding goals will be and how much money we want to spend .... And of course don't forget our ROI (Return On Investment). We have to do some serious marketing. In the Netherlands nobody knows who we are.... ha, ha....

Have a very nice weekend, Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Looking for alpacas

2009-07-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

At sunday late in the afternoon we (Marieke and I) left to visit some farms in England. We decided to take a new route (new for us). Go by Belgium and France and take the ferry to the UK.

First night we slept in Maidstone at the Black horse Inn. Really a nice little hotel. But the Full English Breakfast was very bad. And the bed was to small (or I was to tall / big to fit in).

Next day we left to visit some farms and see what we have bought (alpacaseller) and how the ones were doing which were still overthere for mating... We did see super beautifull animals, with super fleeces but for much higher prices we were used to pay in the Netherlands. Learned a lot..., maybe laughed to much but really did have a great time with the people who invited us to stay overnight at their farm. Very interesting life-stories were been told. I really like the British....

At 03.00 uur Tuesday/Wednesday we get back in Haaften. It was a very exhausting trip. But it was certainly worth it...!

Wednesdaymorning: slowly getting my normal pattern back...!

Thanks,

Many greetings, Leo

Mail the alpaca-vet

Test automatic mail...

2009-07-11T06:26:00.001-07:00

By this underscored "Mail the alpaca-vet" at the end of every article on this blog you can directly ask your questions about alpacas.

English, German or Dutch language please...

Mail the alpaca-vet

BEW Alpaca

2009-07-11T03:43:00.000-07:00

Blue eyed white (BEW) alpacas remain one of the most controversial subjects in the alpaca industry. Those who don't own any, rarely understand the facts about them. Those who own them, generally, don't have a problem and often refer to them as their favorite alpacas or a favorite of farm visitors.
BEW's come from the breeding of two animals that each carry the white spot gene and the BEW allele variant of that gene. White-spot genes are found in white faced, tuxedo, white legs, pinto or virtually any alpaca with as little as a few white hairs as well as grey alpacas. That is a whole lot of animals!
The pairing of two alpacas with white or grey markings bring a one in four (1-4) chance of a BEW birth. However, the mating of one of these animals with a solid colored animal, should not get a BEW cria. Selective breeding is something all farms should practice.

I (Leo) think is not controversiel to breed with thes BEW's. For example: If you take the Australian shepherd. Merle x merle is not done. You get 25 % of deaf/lethal pups. In alpacas it is the same... DON'T GO FOR BEW SIRE X BEW MARE!!! ALWAYS USE A SOLID COLOR. BEW sires should not be used.

It is an utopia to think we can remove / decrease this "genentic disorder" out of our the population of alpacas worldwide..., because any animal with some with hairs could be a carrier for this gen.

Many greetings,

Leo van Merwijk

Clik here for a good scientific article about BEW alpacas:

http://www.alpacagenetics.com/AndyMBlueEyedWhites%20sent.pdf

alpaca-vet@alpacasofthelowlands.com

New born criae (alpacas)

2009-07-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Born on the 4th of july!

Well!

After 12 months pregnancy two of our imported girls (Belgium and England) have given birth. Two little girls were born.

The first, a very beautiful chocolat (rare) brown, was born on friday 3th of july. We decided (Marieke and I) that this was the first year (2009) we really are seriously breeding for better genetics. So we have to "come up with a system for naming". We agreed to give the new born alpacas a name by the year they were born, using the alphabet.
All alpacas born in 2009 will get a name started with an A. 2010 With a B and so on...

So we call our brown girl: AOL (stands for Alpacas of the Lowlands): Aoibheann Princess of the Lowlands.
Aoibheann means "beautifull" in Irish. It is pronounced as EE-ven.

On saterday our Belgium mother was on strike. She give us a very bright little white girl. She was racing on our fields and making contact with the other mares where the brown cria was staying with his mother and was sleeping on the grass.

We named her: AOL: Ailbhe Duchess of the Lowlands
Ailbhe - meaning "white, noble, bright". It is pronounced as Elvy

She has a very soft fleece (feels realy unique and very straight and beautifull legs).

On sunday we had a better look on her and we saw that she has blue eyes. Hmmm, just our luck! I'll get back on this subject in a future topic.... BEW's - Blue Eyes White Alpacas. I tested her..., and she is certainly not blind or deaf. Well that's a relief!!!

And of course always check the placenta. It has to come off in several hours. But better is in half an hour after birthing.

Geen alpaca's mee naar Hapert

2009-03-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Aanstaande 21 en 22 maart is het zover. Voor de 2e maal wordt dan de Alpacashow gehouden in Hapert. Met name Jan van den Acker en Yvonne Verbeek zijn grote initiatoren van dit geweldige evenement.

Dus mensen allemaal naar Hapert aanstaande zondag.

zie http://www.alpacashow.eu/

A new logo for "Alpacas of the Lowlands"

2009-03-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

The new logo for

"Alpacas of the Lowlands"

Marieke has designed it...

www.alpacasofthelowlands.com

Pregnant or Preg-not?

2009-03-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today we scanned three of our girls...

Photo 1.
From above you see a full foetus. Left is his/her chest and righthand is the pelvis.

Photo 2.
From aside you see the heart and lungs in the thorax (chest).

Alpacashow in Hapert (2009)

2009-03-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

We will be present at the Alpacashow in Hapert in march 2009.
You can visit our stand and see how alpacablood is collecting (on farm) and transfered into plasma for earlyborn (neonatal) criae. It is possible to buy your own mobile plasmarotor (professional). Or you can make an appointment with us to visit your "farm".
We are looking forward to meet you...!

SEE OUR STAND FOR A COMPLETE VETERINARY SERVICE

Marieke and Leo van Merwijk (DVM)
Bata4en - Animal Clinic
Alpacas of the Lowlands

Alpaca Futurity Show in England

2009-03-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

The English coast is very beautifull (even in the winter).

This week we (my wife Marieke, our four kids and myself) made a beautifull trip across the south of England. From Hoek van Holland to Harwich we did by ferry (Truckersdivision - with our kids - they never saw 4 kids a wife and a trucker in the Truckersclub on board). We first delivered our trailer by Classical MileEnd Alpacas in Tiverton were we bought some beautifull ladies... (see former article).

Then we stayed for a few nights at Mazzard Farm in Ottery St. Mary. The Mazzard Farm is owned by a dutchman called Ruud and his lovely wife Jacky (and their girls Jasmijn and Amber). We travelled to Cheltenham and stayed at the Clarence Court Hotel (very old building).

At Friday we went to Coventry / Stonely Park were the agriculture bussiness is gadered...

We did go to the FUTURITY SHOW (for alpacas). It was great happening.

At saterday we went back to Tiverton to pick up our alpacagirls. It was a pleasant trip and a great adventure for our family. We will do this more often...!

English versus Dutch

2009-01-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

In the last months it became clear to me that the dutch market for breeding high quality alpacas is very little at this moment. Therefore I decide to focus on a bigger audience..., which means that I translate my blog in english in the future. There will be a lot of language/writing problems, ha, ha... But I'll try to evolve!

Yours sincerly,

Leo van Merwijk (DVM)

-----------------------

Alpacas are delightfull, beautifull, exceptional creatures of nature.

-----------------------

Last week Marieke (my wife) and I (and our little babygirl Lieke) went to England by plane (easyJet). Jet is one of my former assistents, but she wasn't easy (in many ways to explain?). We visit Chas and Rachel at their alpacafarm in Tiverton (Classical MileEnd Alpacas) http://www.alpaca-uk.co.uk/. Two great people who are willing to help us by selling some beautifull alpacagirls. So we are happy now...

I'll ask some foto's to show (of) my harem (of alpacas).

Many greetings,
Leo

www.alpacasofthelowlands.com

2008-10-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

This drawing of an "Allocamelus" was published in England in Edward Topsel's 1658 History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents, but it was taken from a Dutch work of 1558. This "Indian Sheep, out of the region of Peru" had a neck "as white as any swan" while "the colour of his other parts was yellowish." The "most gentle and meek beast" was brought to Antwerp and "afterward given to the Emperor." Along with this reasonable patter is the comment that "it is probable that it is conceived by a Camel and a Mule."

http://www.mcn.org/2/oseeler/llama.htm

http://www.alpacasofthelowlands.com/
Waarom alpacas of the Lowlands

Alpaca's zijn leden van de kameelachtigen familie uit Zuid-Amerika waar ze worden gefokt, vooral in Peru, Chili en Bolivia. Ze zijn meer dan 5000 jaar geleden gedomesticeerd. Ze werden zeer gewaardeerd door de Inca's (plaatselijke bewoners). Hun vachten stonden bekend als de "gouden" (ook vanwege de hoge prijzen). De vachten en wol werden gereserveerd voor de luxe kleding van de Koninklijke families. Oorspronkelijke alpaca’s werden beweid op de laaglanden (LOWLANDS) in goed georganiseerde fokkerijen, maar tijdens de Spaanse verovering, werden de alpaca’s verdreven door schapen en runderen evenals de boeren (Inca’s) naar de grote hoogte van de Andes.
De strenge fok regimes gingen vervolgens verloren en de overlevende alpaca’s kwamen in handen van arme boeren die in de hooglanden van de Andes leefden. De abrupte omschakeling vanuit een streng geregelde fokkerij naar een houderij door bewoners van de hooglanden veroorzaakte een extreme achteruitgang in de kwaliteit. De alpaca’s bleken gelukkig in staat om te overleven ondanks de extreme omstandigheden waarin andere gedomesticeerde dieren zouden sneuvelen.

Pas in de 20e eeuw zouden alpaca’s opnieuw worden gekweekt in gecontroleerde fokprogramma's.

Omdat gedurende de geschiedenis is gebleken dat de hoogste kwaliteit wol en alpacas zich bevonden in de Lowlands (van het Andesgebied) hebben wij de naam voor ons bedrijf hierna vernoemt. Tevens is het een verwijzing naar de Laaglanden (Lowlands) zoals Nederland ook wel bekend staat tegenwoordig…

Alpacas of the lowlands
http://www.alpacasofthelowlands.com/

Geboren

2008-10-16T03:49:00.000-07:00

Vorige week weer twee alpaca's geboren. Prachtige diertjes, maar helaas weer hengstjes.

Dus nieuwe bloeddonoren erbij voor de toekomst...

Nu ook plasma verkrijgbaar

2008-10-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

Bloedtransfusies bij alpacas!

Bij premature (te vroeg geboren) criae (veulens) is de overlevingskans vele malen groter na intraveneus of intraperitoneaal toedienen van bloedplasma (van alpaca's natuurlijk).
Vanaf heden bieden wij plasma aan voor verkoop aan houders van alpacas. Het is wel prijzig, maar de overlevingskans voor uw prijzige alpaca(merrie)veulen is vele malen groter.
Informeer naar prijzen en voorwaarden.
info@bata4en.nl
Groeten, Leo

You tube en alpaca's

2008-03-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Op http://www.youtube.com/ is heel veel info over alpacas te vinden.

Alpacas in een tv-show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90YKKUI_I8

Op visite bij een alpacafarm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1-WKoyNjAc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFLYm1Vo95c

De geboorte van een alpaca.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDqCQt60ZaQ

Criae (jonge veulens)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0RQXPY4QsQ

Het scheren van alpaca's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWnhDg-IlhQ

Het scheren deel 2. Wel heel veel mensen nodig! Binnenkort zal ik de filmpjes erop zetten, hoe wij het doen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjiTydJwQxc

Alpacadekking (op een parkeerplaats?) De dekking duurt meestal erg lang (een half uur tot een uur). Als de merrie drachtig is laat de merrie de hengst niet meer toe....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrD3_UPMlQU

Nogmaals enkele dekkingen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zLIb7C6e50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACy-Qzxcv6c

BINNENKORT VOLGEN MEER VIDEO'S EN BEELDMATERIAAL OP
http://www.alpacasofthelowlands.com/

Alpacas of the Lowlands

2008-03-22T11:54:00.001-07:00

Alpacas of the Lowlands
www.alpacasofthelowlands.com

Alpaca-onderhoud

2008-03-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Scheren
Trimmen
Nagels
Ontwormen

Embryotransplantatie (ET)

2008-03-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Alpaca-dierenartsen gaat op termijn met specialisten werken aan de mogelijkheid om embryo's van uw alpaca's te winnen en terug te plaatsen. Wij willen dit tegen een redelijk tarief gaan aanbieden.

Vaccinatie van alpaca's in de Benulux

2008-03-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Vaccinatie is van groot belang.
Wij adviseren om uw alpaca's te vaccineren tegen clostridia-infecties in de Benelux. Volgens onze mening is slechts 1 vaccin in de Benelux geschikt voor alpaca's. Mail ons voor advies....
info@bata4en.nl

Bloedonderzoek bij alpaca's

2008-03-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

Na meerdere dieren van verschillende farms te hebben onderzocht (in Nederland) blijkt dat m.n. de leverwaarden van alle alpaca's hoger is dan de alpaca's uit de VS en NZ. Reden daarvoor kunnen planten zijn in ons nederlandse klimaat die leverschade opleveren. Voorzorgsmaatregelen zijn niet noodzakelijk. In de toekomst zullen "Alpaca-dierenartsen" hier hopenlijk meer over kunnen vertellen.

Wat eet een alpaca

2008-03-22T06:23:00.001-07:00

Speciale brok, goed hooi, maar het liefste vers gras of kuil (geen schimmel / mycotoxen erin!)

Drachtcontrole

2008-03-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

Drachtcontrole kan op meerder manieren. Belangrijk is de veiligheidsafweging voor de merrie en het tijdstip van de dracht.

Echografie - rectaal (dmv. liniair transducer en stok)
Echografie vanuit de flank
Voelen of "stoten"
Schouwen met hengst

Hoe verloopt de normale geboorte (partus)

2008-03-22T06:17:00.004-07:00