Titus’ ear wound was not healing as we had hoped and as we were cleaning it one morning we noticed pus – a lot of pus.  We thought that we might need to give him some penicillin therapy and our vet confirmed that.  Our instructions were to clean the wound with betadine scrub and get all the infection out.  She also wanted us to do some massage with the ear by spraying it with water – but Titus didn’t think that was such a great idea.  The reason for the hydrotherapy is to bring fresh blood to the site to fight the infection.  So we are doing the next best thing in our mind and that is just massaging the ear from the underside which does cause the wound to bleed and hopefully that fresh blood is doing what the vet wanted. 

Three days later we think the ear must be getting better because Titus doesn’t cry when we treat him any more and there is considerably less pus.  He gets 4.5 cc of penicillin once a day for four days.  Today will be his last shot.  Along with the penicillin, he also gets about 8 cc of MSE, a probiotic paste that will help keep all the good bacteria working in his gut.  All in all Titus has been a super patient – he never even tried to spit on us.  He is a very good natured guy though now he is not so sure he wants to have much to do with us.  A guy can only take so much…

So, here’s to healthy alpaca ears - and boys…take it easy on Titus!