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A short discussion paper
Alpaca and
Llama teeth are very similar. They have the same number and
distribution. They are only dissimilar in the enamelling. Llama incisor
teeth have enamel all round, whereas alpaca incisors have enamel only
on the front. However, they can all suffer the same problems with their
teeth, and may therefore need attention at some stage during their
lifetime.
There appears to be some idea that alpacas in
particular need their teeth trimmed every year. This is not necessarily
the case. However, a popular way to tackle this task has been by the
use of an angle grinder with a specially designed attachment. Thus the
front teeth are brought down to level with the upper palate.
Unfortunately, the front teeth are left with sharp edges at the front
and back of the teeth, where they were trimmed. As the animal grazes,
the sharp edge at the back comes into regular contact with the upper
palate, causing damage to the palate which can then lead to abscesses.
This can in turn lead to the animal ceasing to feed, with inevitable
results.
At Bozedown we have come to the conclusion that alpacas
need to have more specialist treatment than the above regime offers. We
want our alpacas to live long, healthy lives, and we believe that good
tooth health will assist this end. We have been very fortunate in
finding a good horse dentist who was willing to tackle the much smaller
mouths of alpacas. Initially he asked if we would sedate the alpacas,
but we have never yet needed to do this.
We have come across
many different problems in alpacas, but nothing yet without a solution.
The most common problem is long front teeth. The dentist uses a Dremel
tool with a very small cutting disc to trim the teeth level with the
palate, and then grinds the edges of the teeth with a diamond
attachment, to make smooth edges which cannot damage the upper palate.
We
have found a few cases where all 6 lower incisors grow just outside the
upper palate, so that when the mouth is almost closed it is not
possible to move the jaw from side to side - the action necessary for
proper cudding. The animals in this case can lose weight alarmingly.
However, if the teeth are properly re-shaped, normal cudding is again
possible, and the weight is soon regained.
As alpacas get
older many of them grow curly extensions onto their molar teeth, which
can cut into the insides of the cheeks when long. These need to be
rasped, and we have a bottle of saline solution to hand for spraying
into the mouth. Molars which do not meet properly can grow irregularly,
again necessitating rasping.
If you feel any concern about
your alpaca s or llama s teeth, your local vet should be able to put
you in touch with a horse dentist. He will be able to give a thorough
dental check-up, and correct any impending problems. |
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