Lost Paco on Sat....... : ( possible Choke?

[chickenzoo]

Poor Paco he had been through so much....... He had been fine up until Friday morning. When I fed up he seemed to Choke on some food. He went and layed under the trees near the water trough. I kept rinsing the spit/food off his face. He didn't seem too stressed or in pain... Just a little irritated. I have a horse that chokes from time to time... So I just kept an eye on him. By evening no real change but nothing that looked alarming besides him not eating. Next morning he was still their so I went out to rinse him off again. He then just layed on his side, pooed a bit of wet poo and proceeded to die. He had no wet poo on him before or anything.He was pale by then and their was nothing I could do for him that quickly.
I don't know if it was Choke, or if he had ate a poisonous plant out in the yard. He hadn't been grazing in two days out near anything so I don't know how long it could affect him. Everyone else seems fine. Their food is a pellet, and I've even seen Peachy choke on it before..... I just don't know. Any thoughts.....

 

[Roll farms]

I'm so sorry.

 

[ksalvagno]

I'm so sorry you lost him.

Sometimes animals choke on feed. You can always stick a tube down and try to dislodge it. Also, a shot of Banamine really helps. You can also massage their neck. I have seen choke before (quite a few times). Luckily it was never bad enough to tube them. Just the massaging and Banamine. I used crumble. So it doesn't matter. If you see a lot of choke with one type of feed, then try the other type.

 

[chickenzoo]

What type of tube should I purchase to keep on hand incase it ever happens again? If he had acted more distressed I would have called the vet right out or tried something..... But he just seemed a bit irritated . My horse will normally stand and work it out, and will go off food for that day.... And he makes all kinds of weird neck movements. It happens often with him on grass or feed. Paco did none of these. He only had some masticacted feed around his mouth and chin. He just sat cushed by the water trough looking like he was working on something. He had been doing better after what we believe was Menigel worm after being at a different owners..... And now this. He was sheered last month and wormed....he was just fine before feeding...I feel horrible... I should have done something... I just don't know....

 

[ksalvagno]

Just a feeding tube. Alpacas and llamas look like they are constantly bringing up cud when they choke. They don't show a lot of signs. That is the problem with llamas and alpacas. They just don't show signs of anything and by the time they do show signs, it is too late. With livestock, stuff happens and unfortunately, the outcome stinks sometimes.

 

[chickenzoo]

Yep...... Sometimes it does.

 

[ksalvagno]

So how is little Peachy doing? I bet she isn't so little anymore.

 

[SheepGirl]

Sometimes choke can lead to bloat, so he might've died from that.

 

[chickenzoo]

So how is little Peachy doing? I bet she isn't so little anymore.

She is doing really good.....Still spoiled as ever. I can call her and she will come give me kisses. She is still on the smaller size but growing none the less. She was chasing crazy guienas yesterday.
I'm having my vet come out and just do an over all look over of everyone and to get some meds from him to keep on hand....
See if he has a tube I can buy while he's here, if not I'll put an order in.

 

[ksalvagno]

A good med to have on hand is Sulcrafate. It is for ulcers. If an alpaca or llama gets sick or has a problem, I always put them on Sulcrafate too since they can so easily get ulcers. It is dosed at 1 tablet per 50 lbs. Just dissolve in water and give it as a drench. Not to mention Banamine and Excede or Excenel.