My friends pet Llama died

[meandmycatromeo]

My friends pet Llama she got for X-Mas last year died. her llama could not walk when it was sick, then the next day died. she feels so sad and that its her fault. She askes for advice.

[DeLaUK]

How sad, I dont know anything about llamas so I couldnt give any advice on why it would be sick but I know how it feels to lose a beloved pet, Ive lost quite a few over the years and Ive cried just as much for the tiny baby birds I used to rescue that didnt make it as I did for my Rottweiller and my Whippet that both died within a year of each other not long ago.
With the baby birds and some baby bunnies I would always think that it was my fault if they died even though there wasnt anything I could have done to save them, its hard to deal with.

[BeatrixMom]

Tha tis sad. We always feel bad when a loved pet dies and blame ourselves sometimes for something that was not our fault. I wish I knew about llamas, but I don't. Maybe they are the kind of animal that when they finally show symptoms of illness, it is already too late.

[meandmycatromeo]

she wants advice because she feels that she killed the llama. she is very sad. *cry's*

[DeLaUK]

Here are 2 links for Llama sites, theres plenty more on the internet but I thought there was some good basic information on the first one in particular.

http://www.kingbilli.com.au/lla-husb.html

http://www.llamacrossing.com/General_Llama_Information/Useful_Information/

[meandmycatromeo]

thank you, but one thing. she needs advice because she does not want to be sad because she thinks that she killed the llama because she said the llama needed her toe nails cut and she got an affection (sp?) and she died. My friend is sad because she should've cut her llama's toe nails. Thats why she needs advice to make her not sad.

[DeLaUK]

Im assuming the infection was tha actual cause of the death? Yes?
So she is responsible as the Llama died as a result of the infection.
(I dont want to ask how old she is but if she is a minor more of the resposibility is on the adults. )
As for her not feeling so sad, this is something that she will have to come to terms with in her own time. There is nothing that can stop her feeling sad, it comes from guilt, knowing more could be done earlier on and doing nothing, knowing the pet suffered as a result of her negligence. Its hard enough to deal with sometimes even when you know you have done everything you can do but the pet still dies, theres always questions like what if we did this different or tried this medication.
As a vet tech and working with rescue centres I know that the financial situation is often a factor in why people fail to seek medical help when needed, but even then there are other options like animal control, shelters, and while they may put a lot of animals to sleep unneccessarily at least the sick and injured pets are not in pain any longer.
Your friend should think twice and do a lot of research of any pets she wants in the future, to let an animal die from something completely avoidable can only mean that she does not have either the time, the money, the patience or basic knowledge of animal welfare, maybe all are factors.

[meandmycatromeo]

thanks. She just got another llama and right now she has 2. Thanks with all your advice! I wqill tell her when I see her

[DeLaUK]

PLEASE stress the importance of paying attention when she thinks there is something wrong, even if she doesnt know what it is have a vet or someone with some knowledge of Llamas, horses or goats check the pet out. An animal should not suffer because of the owners lack of knowledge.
Im not trying to be a b$tch here, Ive just seen too much neglect and suffering. Thats why I do try to advise people on basic animal care.

[meandmycatromeo]

woah, no need to swear.be happy