An Alpaca's Bottom

Yesterday we suddenly saw this bright red bottom under the tail of a young male alpaca and realised that its anus had prolapsed. Chas shoved it back in but it came out again so we called the vet. We have never seen this before, one more exciting discovery in the endless lesson in what can go wrong with alpacas. The vet had seen it loads of times before in cattle and sewed it in. Today the boy is not happy and straining a lot. He has already had a NSAID, metacam, to help reduce the swelling and can’t have any more. We decided that he should stay in the sick bay with a friend for the day so that we can keep an eye on him.

We had a Health and Safety man round as we have a schoolboy coming to do a week’s work experience. There was a very long form indeed, strangely none of the questions were about the injuries the animals might inflict on the lad, a good kick in the goolies for example, a face-full of stomach contents from an outraged pregnant female etc. etc.

I have been using this wonderful lemon oil on new potatoes and tomato salads. When we emerged from the hospital in London we wandered up the Fulham Road and there was Carluccio’s cafe and shop. Had to go in and bought this divine oil, balsamic vinegar and some Prosecco. It was lucky I didn’t stay there too long as I love food shopping above all other shopping and there were so many lovely things. The lemon oil has a fantastic aroma, you could be standing in a lemon grove. I am marinading some swordfish steaks in it for dinner tonight – yummy.