Ticks, M-worm, stroke??

Post date: Aug 21, 2015 3:42:23 PM

Our sweet alpaca, Mr. B was found lying down completely on his right side, unable to even cush on Friday, July 31, 2015. We took him to UTVMC where he was admitted.

The staff found 14 ticks inside his ear, which they removed. Several minutes after the removal, he was able to sit in a cush! He was still unable to stand.

Mr. B was then treated for M-worm and subjected to daily float therapy. He had to be lifted in a sling to the float tank and back. He still could not stand nor walk. The staff at UT noticed some weakness on his left side along with droopiness of the left side of his face. They also noted that he has some curvature of the spine and neck.

After a few days of treatment for m-worm and therapy, we took Red Baron in to help Mr. B with his recuperation. Together they stayed another week (10 days total) and then we brought them home to continue Mr. B's therapy at his own farm surrounded by the rest of his herd mates. Mr.B was still unable to get up without assistance. The UT staff still had no certain diagnoses as to what caused this paralysis.

Home on the farm, Mr. B was helped to stand four times a day and encouraged to walk about. He walks with some sort of stagger as his left side is still weak.

After a week at home, Mr. B was able to get himself up again! He is weak and still staggers, but he is eating well and does not require any assistance to get up from his cush. Sweet Mr.B!

Update: Mr. B continued to struggle to walk and would occasionally get cast on his side. We vigilantly watched out for him daily in case he needed assistance in righting himself. He passed from this earth in January, 2017.