Silver came to our sanctuary of rescue llamas 4 years ago and his age was unknown then. He looked about 18 years to me due to arthritis but has been a lovely old llama with down pasterns. I noted two days ago he was holding down an ear. I examined his ear and it sounded a little wet or mucous like when I rotated it and massaged it. I squirt some citronella type spray used for ears by a local vet and the next day he was a little less enthusiastic about getting his daily ration of easy eats - soaked beet pulp, 1-2 c equine sr.. 1-2 c alpaca maintenance grain, and a 1/2 c of sweet feed. He doesn’t eat hay well given missing some molars so we cut it up for him and give him some alfalfa. He is thin and i watch his poop for too much alfalfa and reduce it if it gets really sticky. He also eats lots of fallen leaves this time of year. Today he was not able to eat nut a few leaves. He is interested in the fees but can’t bring himself to eat it. when i walked him a short distance saw that his prepuce was very swollen. I think that is what it is — the penis sheath. It swayed with the weight if it like a small udder. The vet appointment is in an hour. I’m hoping a catheter will relieve him. He wants to scratch it with his hind leg. I did warm compress with epsom salt and he liked or tolerated it well and was very still. He is alert and walks around though gingerly with hind legs a little spread. I read about urolithiasis and am very worried. Can stones not be passed in llamas? If surgery is needed could he survive that? Would a bladder or urethra infection be a constant problem? Silver is a retired pack llama and a companion to my first female rescue, Dalai. He has never tried to mount or bother the females. I’ve given 9 mls of Nuflor antibiotic while i wait to get to the vet. Advice appreciated and especially if anyone has ever see this before.
