Alpaca Cria: Dealing with Premature Cria

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DEALING WITH THE PREMATURE CRIA	Print this page Email to a friend

There are several easy steps that you can take if your cria is born premature. 1. Stabilize their temperature. You can do this by drying them off, putting on a cria coat (only in cold weather) and blowing their fleece with a hair dryer. If you use a cria coat make sure the dam has a chance to smell it before you put it on the cria. 2. Make sure you maintain the bond with the dam. Do not separate them unless it is absolutely necessary. 3. Encourage the cria to suckle the female. Bottle feeding should be a last resort.The premature cria may need a bottle to allow it to gain strength, stand and nurse. It is best to milk the mother for the initial bottle so that the cria receives its colostrum. They usually get going in short order. Premature cria are at some risk and you should observe them closely until they reach full vigor. Make sure their temperature is constant at about 100 degrees.
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