[SallyintNorth]

I just caught a few minutes of what I assume was Animal Hospital or similar last night.  Rolf Harris narrating.

The vet had to visit an alpaca with a skin problem.

The two alpacas kept three elderly sheep company.

All went well, the alpacas were assessed in a side-alley off the holding paddock.  Then the vet wanted to check the sheep too, so caught two of them and put them in the alley too.  As soon as she started to handle the sheep, the one alpaca went ape-s"*t. 

You've Been Framed has nothing as funny as what ensued.  The alpaca covered its owner in foul-smelling (and -staining, by the look of it) spit, which Rolf explained where it came from (I held back there, you could be eating your breakfast  ), hence the colour...  Eventually the owner managed to get the enraged alpaca out of the alley but of course the sheep dived for the entrance too, the vet tried to stop them but then the other alpaca went for her, now the sheep were again with #1 angry alpaca, so they couldn't get hold of them again...

 

But, on a serious note, it really did demonstrate that alpacas do look after their ovine flockmates.  And highlighted some handling issues for people who use alpacas this way 

[Fleecewife]

I was in stitches Sally 
 
I couldn't help but think though that the fibre from the alpacas she was spinning would be full of mites, either alive or dead  .  Also, that if one alpaca had the mites then so would the other and probably the sheep, so all needed treating.
 
It was a good demo of how protective alpacas can be - but in light of what happened, is that such a good thing in a country without Mountain Lions, Coyotes and Bears?

[SallyintNorth]

The fleece from that alpaca would have been horrid, yes 

The vet did check the other alpaca and it was completely clean, which did surprise her, but she was absolutely sure it was.  They may have Dectomaxed it and the sheep as well, as a precaution, of course, but that wasn't mentioned.  The alpaca with the bad infestation got the shampoo followed by cream on sore bits - I had to do that with my dog Moses when I took him on, he had sarcoptic mange, took a lot of getting rid of.

People do use alpaca and llamas to protect flocks from foxes and dogs, I hear.

Given that there is now talk of reintroducing wolves (oh, I would love that!       - except with my sheep farmer head on  ), maybe the camellid protectors could be of use as part of that...?

[Old Shep]

Missed the program - must see if its repeated!


Friends have Llamas to protect their sheep - they have land not far from a council estate and have lots of sheep worrying problems from packs of lurchers.  The llamas must protect the flock as one night on of the llamas was badly bitten by dogs - but no sheep were hurt.  Luckily Llama recovered well - and no repeat visits that I've heard of.  I felt sorry for the Llama though 

[Sbom]

It's was incredibly funny  although I can't help thinking that if they had kept the alpacas together instead of separating them then it would have meant less stress all round ( though much less funny ). I routinely handle my mums alpacas and though there not keen they have never ever spat, after watching last night I'm very grateful for that!!