OUR ALPACA PET GELDING

Here's Pokey our alpaca pet. He is the most gentle, easygoing alpaca you'll ever meet. Whenever we want to try something new or go someplace that is scary to an alpaca, we use Pokey to keep everybody calm.

Neutering Alpacas

We purchased Pokey as a gelding when he was 12 months old. Now before anyone gets excited about gelding an alpaca that young, he wasn't gelded, yet. We brought him back for gelding at 18 months of age.

We were allowed to participate in the actual gelding. Mike grew up on small acreage with animals and had seen this type of procedure before and, as a nurse, Debby had seen lots of procedures performed by doctors on humans. So neither of us was squeamish about the surgery.

Pokey fasted for 12 hours prior to the procedure. No food or water. He was given sedation first. We could see it take effect as his head began to droop lower and lower and his legs were having trouble holding him up.

Pokey was lead to a table and layed on top. The scrotum was prepped with antiseptic. Then an incision was made and the first testicle was removed. It looked like a cresent moon to us. Next the second testicle was removed. It was all very interesting to watch.

Pokey seemed comfortable throughout the procedure. There's a little more to the procedure than described here but we didn't think it appropriate for us to describe it in detail. We don't want anyone trying it on their own. You should have a qualified vet neutering alpacas.

The incisions were left open so that they could drain and heal. Pokey was turned out into the pasture with his herdmates so that he would go about his alpaca business as usual. Alpacas should be kept active afterwards so that they will have minimal swelling and complications.

Pokey acted like nothing happened. It always amazes us how stoic animals act. It had to be smarting but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. He went back to eating and drinking and all his other normal alpaca activities.

We just love our alpaca gelding. He had a great personality before we neutered him but, now he's even better. If you want an alpaca pet, get a gelding. They aren't always worried about the girls and other male alpacas. They are calm and easy to handle. They keep others calm. They are great for public relations because they are so tranquil.

Also, your neutered male will probably produce great fleece because they aren't putting their energy into reproduction.

You can start your adventure with an alpaca pet. Getting a gelded male helps you learn how to handle alpacas easier and see if alpacas are right for you before you make a huge investment in breeding stock. It's a wonderful way to start in the alpaca business...but get two. Alpacas should always have a buddy.

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