Not something our vets see every day; our South Otago team polished up a herd of alpaca’s dental health!

Just like many other species, dentals are an important aspect of routine care for alpacas. They have continuously growing teeth that can develop sharp points or uneven wear over time. These dental abnormalities can make chewing uncomfortable and affect an alpaca's ability to eat properly and keep weight on. So, their teeth are not to be overlooked.

Signs that an alpaca may have teeth issues include dropping feed while eating, slow eating/a reluctance to bite and chew, weight loss, poor body condition, excessive salivation, or noticeably long bottom incisors. However, some animals show very few obvious signs, which is why regular dental checks are valuable – particularly in older alpacas.

If you have concerns about your alpaca's teeth, get in touch with us. We can perform a dental examination to assess tooth wear, identify any abnormalities, and then address issues before they impact body condition and wellbeing. Early intervention is always best to maintain good nutrition and production.

The old towel-over-the-eyes trick kept these alpaca’s calm, allowing our vets to perform their dental procedures with care.