Whew.

Celidh went over her due date (again) and I was pretty much expecting a female ... a day later, and in the afternoon. Last Thursday I had been doing some work outside in the carport before it got light (yeah, that's what nightshift people do when they get some time off ... work at night!) and decided to nip over and check on Ceilidh shortly after dawn. I saw her eyes and ears over the stall door, she saw me, and popped right up (what she usually does if she hopes to be let out, which is always). But when I looked over the door, there was a placenta in the middle of the stall and a baby llama against the wall.

Baby was pretty together and I expected everything to be fine ... but that afternoon when I got up and went outside to let them out under supervision, there was (shall we say) a WEE problem. The umbilical cord was still plump and fleshy and WET. Sure enough, a patent urachus. Sometimes these resolve and sometimes they require surgery; I've only seen one before (which developed several days after birth and DID require surgery).

This time everybody (plus my bank account) got lucky. I wrapped the cord about 1cm from the body with silk dental floss and cut the 10" or so still dangling below the wrap. Initially there was no leakage, but about 25% of the urine flow still came through the umbilicus during voiding. NOT good. Naturally it was well after business hours by this point, and wise in any case to give supportive care initially — surgery is best NOT undertaken immediately after birth because of the many other changes and challenges, particularly in the first 24 hours.

I fully expected to be hit with a nice big vet bill, a sick (or dead) baby or both ... but the next morning the cord was dry and shriveled (as it should be) and baby-peeing was just as normal as could be. YAY!

Infection is always a possibility no matter what, but it's now a week later and all looks well and I guess I dare to post some photos now. :-)

WHEW.

Welcome Lost Creek Ranger Scioty to the farm!

born 5.9.2013
male
25 lbs
353 days gestation
Rocky Mountain Highlight x Lost Creek Ranger Ceilidh