Also it gives the baby a boost of energy to aid in its ability to nurse on its own. IF YOU are certain that the baby started nursing early enough to have gotten the immunities that it needed or if it didn't, that you made sure it did through colostrum supplementation, you should not need to perform an IgG test, a test to measure the level of immunities by drawing a blood sample for laboratory analysis. It is my opinion, that many breeders perform these tests needlessly, primarily to alleviate their own anxieties. If the baby's immunities are low after receiving adequate colostrum, there is generally something seriously wrong that is probably not treatable by plasma transfusion anyway. If however, you are not sure if the baby did receive enough colostrum or adequate colostrum and the baby is showing signs of weakness or lethargy, you will need to perform this test in addition to other possible blood work-ups.
Laboratory tests can be a valuable aid in diagnosing problems with all llamas.
If you are unsure, weigh the baby for the first week or longer if necessary. If the baby seems to be nursing fine and moving around, filling out and otherwise healthy, you can forego weighing the baby. You should also make sure with newborns that they are urinating and have passed the first fecal matter, called meconium. If after a day you have seen no signs or fecal matter being passed and the baby seems to be cramped or straining, you may have to give the baby an enema, consisting of a mild liquid soap mixed in 4 ounces of warm water. Babies that can't figure out how to nurse present another problem.