American Veterinary Medical Conference in STL

It was Monday -- it was Purina Farms in Gray Summit, MO -- it was 103 real temp -- with heat indices of over 110 degrees.

Denise and I took ten llamas and alpacas to be ultrasounded by a group of veterinarians.

There were some "heavy hitters" in the camelid reproductive world there. Dr. Ahmed Tibary of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated from vet school in Morrocco and has been researching Camelid reproduction since 1980.

Dr. Toni Cotton is one of this country's leading camelid veterinarians. Her practice is limited to camelids and her main interests are camelid reproduction and neonatal care. She recently published a book on Camelid Reproduction with Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Clair Whithead. She is also co-owner of "Suris of the Western Slope" in Ridgeway, CO.

I'm thinking the St. Louis heat was a shock to everyone. There were vets from North Dakota -- Wisconsin -- Kansas -- MO -- NY -- and many "northern states" that were taken aback by the tremendous heat. They were learning how to ultrasound camelids to look for "ripe follicles" on their ovaries -- look at the kidneys, liver, compartmented stomachs and check for pregnancies.

I have to say that our llamas and alpacas did well. I took Goodness and her cria, Zapato; Pebbles, Miss Ivory; Brook. Denise brought Avalanche and Cheyenne; Eagle Eye, Platinum and Valentina.

It was a long, hot day outside. Thanks to Betty from Purina Farms for her help during the seminar.

It's just too hot to work outside with animals in the St. Louis summer. At least THIS summer.