Thursday, March 4, 2010

Veterinarians


Hi All!

I usually don't like airing my troubles but I hope you all will understand and maybe have some idea that I haven't thought of already.

O.K. here goes.......I DON'T HAVE A VET. THAT WILL COME TO MY FARM.

I do have 2 wonderful vets, 1 in New York (Dr. Grant Seaman) and Dr. Bob Fetter man (here in PA), they both are very knowledgeable of Alpacas . and very caring also, sounds like NO PROBLEM right, WRONG.

Dr. Seaman's practice is in Canisteo, New York approx.35 min. from us. Sounds good right...wrong. He can not come to our farm because he is not licensed in PA. So we take our beloved Alpacas to him if need be.

DR. Bob Fetterman's practice is in East Smithfield,PA approx. 1hr. & 40 min.from our farm. If we are going to show an alpaca & we need PA health certificate papers or something that is not life threatening we take our alpacas to him. By now you see what the problem is ....DISTANCE! It's to far for Dr. Bob to come here.

I'm so concerned, God Forbid, if I have an alpaca that is having a problem giving birth or one that is down & I can't get it up I DON'T HAVE A VET. THAT WILL COME TO MY FARM!

I have tried every Vet. in our area that takes care of large animals but none will take care of Alpacas.

Today my hubby saw a Vet. that has her own mobile farm truck & her practice is only 15 min. tops from us.When he asked if she would be interested in taking care of our Alpacas, her reply was a very quick NO and she finished with "If they aren't black & white and don't moo" she won't take care of them. I know that was not completely true because she takes care of my neighbors horses which is only 2 min. from our farm.

By the Grace of God, we haven't had anything such as I described earlier but it would be great if I had a Vet. that would come to our farm if we were in a situation that we could not handle, like a prolapsed uterus, inverted cria in the womb, or an Alpaca that is so ill that it needs attention NOW.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, if you can think of anything else that I haven't PLEASE feel free to let me know.

In Christ Our Savior Love

Bonnie

P.S. -- Cornell University Hospital is approx. 3 hrs. from our farm also. :-(