Q: I’m a little confused on when to trim my alpacas’ incisors: Is this required for every animal? If so, when?
The unforesightful result to your question is that trimming dentition is not always require for all camelids , but let ’s search some background information on alpaca incisor dentition .
About Alpaca Teeth
South American camelids all have six deciduous teeth , aka sister or milk tooth , and six lasting incisor in the lower jaw . These dentition all have wedge - form surfaces used to cut off plant or pick up hay during eating . The six lower incisors are designed to get hold of the front dowery of the roof of the mouth , called the dental pad . It ’s common to find that the down in the mouth incisors in adultalpacas and llamashave grow beyond the dental pad and protrude out of the brim . This is most commonly a cosmetic defect and not a working trouble with eating . Tooth shape , like other anatomical conformity , is inherited from the combination of the dam ’s and sire ’s genes ; animals with severe underbites should be consider for removal from breeding stock .
Long deciduous or permanent incisors should be trimmed so they at least connect with the dental inking pad at the front edge . You must be careful not to remove so much of the tooth that the gums between the incisors are foreshorten at the same meter . to boot , if you move into the pulp cavum as the tooth is take away , bleeding may go on . It ’s not necessary to do anything to stop this bleeding , as it will end on its own in a short time and with no light - condition problems or permanent legal injury — it will just cause balmy painfulness and soreness for thealpaca .
Preparing For Tooth Trimming
Before in reality settling down for the passementerie , draw a line on the tooth with a permanent marker to point the lower conclusion of removal . Someone must throttle the alpaca ’s head to foreclose trauma ; you may opt to sedate the alpaca , especially if it ’s terrified , to insure prophylactic for all involve .
Any cut back method acting requires that an aim be placed in the alpaca ’s sassing to spread up a blank between the opposing teeth so you have elbow room to insert a cutting tool . A 1 - foot length of rubber hosiery can be held in the street corner of the mouth across the top of the tongue to keep the jaw partly opened to facilitate trimming . you’re able to also use a metallic element porcine mouth speculum , a slice of cloth or a small towel to hold the alpaca ’s mouth open .
Teeth-Trimming Methods
Three common methods are used to trim back incisor :
As you begin trimming , alpaca react adversely to the smoke and oscillation at first , but then are tolerant of the procedure . As in all other procedure , they ’re remarkably large-minded of incisor tooth trimming if approached calmly and with minimal restraint .
Dr. Lyle G. McNeal vetted this article .
