|
IAC Home > Alpaca Resource Center > Breeder's Tips
> The Cria is Born
|
| PASSIVE IMMUNITY
|
Print this page
Email to a friend
|
| |
|
| Some cria do not receive enough colostrum at birth and may need a transfusion of plasma to obtain the necessary immunity to fight disease in their early months. Newborn animals do not have “active” immunity. Their little bodies have not been exposed to disease or vaccines and have not commenced the process of antibody production. They are not able to fight disease very well. Nature provides for this by facilitating antibody transfer from mother to newborn. This is called a “passive transfer” of immunity and occurs in most animals via the colostrum (first milk) instead of through the placenta, inutero.Colostrum is the thick creamy milk that the mother initially produces. It is creamy and thick because of the high levels of antibodies it contains. The newborn has a special bowel function that facilitates absorption of these antibodies intact. This only lasts for a short time – twelve to twenty-four hours after which any antibodies that are made of protein will be broken down and digested normally. This is why it is so important for the cria to nurse early in life. Every hour after 6 hours from birth the ability to absorb colostrum is cut in half.A cria deprived of colostrum will be susceptible to infection. The relatively minor infections that often happen early in a cria’s life can become life threatening. Diagnostic tests, expressed as IGG levels can be done to evaluate antibody levels in cria. These take time and in the meantime the cria are at risk. The best protection a cria can have is an immediate dose of the mother’s colostrum. If that does not happen I recommend a transfusion of plasma by a veterinarian.Vaccinations can also provide a measure of protection against disease. Consult with your veterinarian about appropriate dosage. Each locality is a little different; be sure to get your veterinarian’s advice.
|
|
 |  The Cria is Born
|
|
|
|
 |
|
LEG RESTRAINTS
A set of leg restraints can be useful, particularly for shearing. You should get instructions, on ho ...
Read more
Hand Rearing Cria
The situations where hand rearing of a cria may be necessary include the death of a mother or the un ...
Read more
PROBLEM BIRTHS
Alpaca births are relatively problem free. About 5% of births may encounter problems, maybe less. Bu ...
Read more
|
 |
|
