Dystocias In Alpacas And

Llamas

By Dr. Missi Cooper

 References
 Current Therapy In Large Animal
Theriogenology by Youngquist
 Alpaca Notes from the Australian Alpaca
Association, Inc.
 Delivery Photos from www.bluebirdhills.com
 Neonatology in Llamas and Alpacas by David
Anderson DVM
 Llama and Alpaca Neonatal Care By Smith,
Timm and Long
Please Help, I Am New at
This!!!
 What signs do you use to tell when she
is going to deliver?
Signs Of Pending Delivery
 No reliable ones
 Some possible changes that indicate delivery
soon
 Mammary development
 Loss of cervical plug
 Vulvar lengthening
 Perineal relaxation
 Baby kicking
 More uncomfortable
 Previous History
Delivery or Parturition
 What does it look like?
 How long does it take?
 Do I need to help?
 What do I do afterwards?
 What should they do afterwards?
Definition Of Parturition
 Parturition is divided into three stages.
 Stage 1- Dilation of the cervix and contracting uterus
 Stage 2- Expulsion of the fetus
 Stage 3- Expulsion of the placenta
 First stage takes several hours and can last up
to 24 hours. Many alpacas do not show signs
of this stage.
 Second stage is usually over in 15 minutes but
can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
 Third stage should be done in 4-6 hours with
most passing within an hour.
What Is A Normal Delivery?
 What do you consider normal?
 How long should the process take?
 Do they deliver standing or laying
down?
 What is normal presentation of cria?
 The Moment Has Arrived
 Signs delivery is progressing normally
 +/- Amnionic sack breaks releasing fluid
 Enlargement of vulva
 +/- Protrusion of white sack
 Nose and feet with pads pointing down
 Head and legs hanging out while dam is standing
 After head delivered can take a 10 min break before
pushing again
 Some hum others scream during delivery
 Passes placenta within two hours of cria
www.bluebirdhills.com
www.bluebirdhills.com
www.carpediemllamas.com
www.surifarm.de
www.bluebirdhills.com
www.blubirdhills.com
www.carpediemllamas.com
www.bluebirdhills.com
www.bluebirdhills.com
www.bluebirdhills.com
 Normal Placenta
www.carpediemllamas.com

www.bluebirdhills.com
Normal Delivery Video
When Do I Know There Is
Something Wrong?
 What problems have you had?
 When have you assisted?
 When do you decide to call the vet?
What Is Abnormal? Wildrosealpacs.com

 Any delay in the time frame for

any of the stages.
 In first stage labor for more than
1 hour without signs of progress
such as fetal membranes showing.
 In second stage if fetus is present
but not delivered within 10-15
minutes.
 Abnormal presentation
 Starting labor after 6:00 pm
How Do I Monitor For
Dystocias? Silverthunderalpacas

 Usually best if done from a

distance.
 Some dams will not progress if you
are too close.
 Write down times for stages so you
know if they are prolonged.
 Early intervention is key to success.
 Call a veterinarian if there is any
question.
What Is Wrong?
 1. Dam not eating, off by herself, and
acting uncomfortable with no vulvar
discharge.
What Is Wrong?
 1. Dam not eating, off by herself, and
acting uncomfortable with no vulvar
discharge.
 Could be in first stage labor.
Chuckcarrtravel.webshots.com
What Is Wrong?
 2. Dam did not eat dinner last night or
this morning and now is going to the
dung pile frequently along with having a
bloody vaginal discharge.
What Is Wrong?
 2. Dam did not eat dinner last night or
this morning and now is going to the
dung pile frequently along with having a
bloody vaginal discharge.
 Possible uterine torsion or dystocia
What Is Wrong?
 2. Dam did not eat dinner last night or
this morning and now is going to the
dung pile frequently along with having a
bloody vaginal discharge.
 Possible uterine torsion or dystocia
 Either do a vaginal exam or call
veterinarian.
Please HELP!!!
 3. Cria is present with two front legs
and head protruding from vulva, but
has been that way for 30 minutes.
Please HELP!!!
 3. Cria is present with two front legs
and head protruding from vulva, but
has been that way for 30 minutes.
 Shoulder locked which is most common
dystocia to encounter.
Please HELP!!!
 3. Cria is present with two front legs
and head protruding from vulva, but
has been that way for 30 minutes.
 Shoulder locked which is most common
dystocia to encounter.
 Need to push cria back in slightly then rotate
45 degrees to be able to pull out.
Pelvic Dimensions
www.equiseafarms.com
What Should I Do?
 4. Only see one front leg and head of
cria and she has been trying to deliver
for 45 minutes.
What Should I Do?
 4. Only see one front leg and head of
cria and she has been trying to deliver
for 45 minutes.
 Need to push cria back slightly then find
other front leg.
What Should I Do?
 4. Only see one front leg and head of
cria and she has been trying to deliver
for 45 minutes.
 Need to push cria back slightly then find
other front leg.
 Then pull cria out down towards dam’s
feet.
www.alpacapic.com
What is Going On?
 5. Dam has been up and down
frequently last 15 minutes and there
appears to be cria at vulva, but do not
see any legs or head.
What is Going On?
 5. Dam has been up and down
frequently last 15 minutes and there
appears to be cria at vulva, but do not
see any legs or head.
 Clean vulva and check to see what parts
are present.
What is Going On?
 5. Dam has been up and down
frequently last 15 minutes and there
appears to be cria at vulva, but do not
see any legs or head.
 Clean vulva and check to see what parts
are present.
 Only feel tail and backbone.
What is Going On?
 5. Dam has been up and down
frequently last 15 minutes and there
appears to be cria at vulva, but do not
see any legs or head.
 Clean vulva and check to see what parts
are present.
 Only feel tail and backbone.
 Must get cria out as soon as possible.
Examination Supplies
 Clean warm water
 Disinfectant like betadine
 Sterile lubricant
 Tail wrap
 Towels
 Exam gloves
Managing Dystocias
 Call Vet
 Clean vulvar area
 Clean hands and arms of person (should
have small hands) checking female
 Put long gloves on
 Use liberal amounts of lubrication by
pumping into uterus
 Determine fetal position
Managing Dystocias
 Some positions require professional help
 Push fetus back in to uterus to make
corrections
 If able to get two front feet and head
into birth canal then apply gentle traction
 Pull down towards dam’s feet
Most Common Causes Of
Dystocias
 Malpositon or malpresentations such as
breech, head deviation, or flexion or
extension of limbs are other possible
problems.
 Correct by first identifying malposition and
then usually have to push fetus back into
uterus to allow for enough room to fix
problem.
Presentation Diagrams from Alpaca Note of the Australian Alpaca
Association
Presentation Diagrams from Alpaca Note of the Australian
Alpaca Association
Presentation Diagrams from Alpaca Note of the Australian
Alpaca Association
 Different Presentations

Rusticlodgealpacs.com
www.personalsmartt
.com
www.carpediem.com
Care Of The Dam Post
Dystocia
 Monitor closely
 Rear quarters should not be downhill as
her uterus can prolapse
 Antibiotics should be considered if long
dystocia
 Retention of placenta