Common Questions on Alpaca Dental Health

Introduction
In my role as an Alpaca Dentist I have checked and treated thousands of animals.
Alpaca breeders are an inquisitive lot, and I always encourage the animal owner to
observe inside the alpaca mouths while I have them open. The braver ones can
sometimes be seen tentatively running their finger along the sharp points while the
more squeamish ones will simply “take my word for it”.

Inevitably a number of questions arise as they observe my routine and the difference
to their animal following treatment. Here I will attempt to answer the most common
of these questions.

How many teeth does an alpaca have?

An adult male alpaca has 30-32 teeth.

A female may not have as many as the

fighting teeth do not always erupt. There are
four types of teeth found in the mouth of the
alpaca: incisors, fighting teeth, premolars
and molars (Fig 1).

Fig 1. Skull drawing of an adult male

showing the location of the teeth.
What are Incisors?

Incisors are the six teeth at the front

of the mouth in the lower jaw
(mandible). They occlude, or meet,
with the upper dental pad and are
used for cutting grass (Fig.2).

Fig 2. Incisor occlusion of a 9yo.

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What are Fighting Teeth?
Fighting teeth are very sharp teeth found in
each side of the mouth behind the incisors.
Alpacas have six fighting teeth (Fig 3), two sets
on the top and one on the bottom. They usually
erupt at around three years of age.

Fig 3. Fighting teeth of a mature male

Do alpacas have teeth at the back of their mouth?

Yes. At the back of the mouth in both the upper

and lower jaws are the premolars and molars
often referred to as the cheek teeth (Fig.4). The
cheek teeth are arranged so the upper and lower
teeth mesh together to produce an efficient
grinding surface. With the addition of saliva, these
teeth are used to chew the food to a consistency
suitable for swallowing.
Fig 4. Skull showing cheek teeth

Do alpacas have baby teeth?

Yes, alpacas will have two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The first teeth, some of which
are present at birth are known as deciduous or baby teeth. These teeth are temporary
and are replaced between two and four years of age with permanent teeth. Fig 5A
shows an alpaca at just over two years of age that has lost its central deciduous
incisors and the new, permanent teeth are already half grown. Fig 5B shows an
alpaca at two years and six months of age. The central two incisors are the new
permanent teeth.

Fig 5A. Incisors at just over two years old Fig 5B. Incisors at two years and six months

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My alpaca has long front teeth. What should I do about it?
Animals with long incisors should have their teeth trimmed. Alpacas with long front
teeth have their ability to graze seriously compromised. Calluses and bruising are
often observed. Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show incisors before and after trimming.

Fig 6A. This long incisor needs trimming Fig 6B. Trimming reveals bruising on the
dental pad

Fig 6C. These incisors needs trimming Fig 6D. What a difference trimming has made to
the comfort and appearance of this alpaca

Should fighting teeth be trimmed?

Mature males generally have large, well developed fighting teeth designed to rip and
tear (Fig 7A). Fighting males can cause serious damage to their opponent during
bouts for dominance. Alpaca handlers have also been bitten seriously enough to
require stitches. If the welfare of other male alpacas or the safety of handlers is of
concern these teeth should be trimmed (Fig 7B).

Fig 7A. Fighting teeth before trimming Fig 7B. Fighting teeth after trimming

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Can teeth be damaged by trimming?
All teeth have sensitive nerve and blood supplies that can easily be damaged.
Trimming should only be performed by someone skilled and trained in the use of the
appropriate equipment.

My alpaca has a swelling in the side of her jaw. What is it?

Swelling in the cheek area may be due to
the holding of grass or hay in the side of
the mouth referred to as quidding (Fig 8).
Alpacas with overgrown or very sharp
cheek teeth use this ball of food to protect
their cheeks and gums from the pain
incurred while chewing their food. The
quid is not swallowed but spat out and
sometimes you can see them on the
ground in the area where the alpacas live.
Fig 8. An alpaca holding grass in its cheek

What kind of problems do alpacas have with their cheek teeth?

Like incisors the cheek teeth of an alpaca will erupt through the gum for most of the
alpaca’s life until the tooth is worn out. The rate at which the teeth erupt depends on
how quickly the teeth are worn. If the teeth are worn unevenly the overgrowth will
eventually dig into the opposing gum. These overgrown teeth are said to be
Protuberant and cause severe pain
whenever the animal chews. Fig 9 shows a
protuberant molar that has worn a gap
between two of the top molars. The bone is
also damaged. Ulcers are sometimes found
on the cheeks and tongue when the edges of
the teeth are overgrown and sharp.
Fig 9. Protuberant molar

How will I know if my alpacas have dental problems?

Dental abnormalities usually show themselves with one or more visible signs.
Regular observation and body scoring can often identify small dental issues before
they become major problems. Incisors can be visually checked on a regular basis
along with weighing or body condition scoring.

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Serious molar problems are usually identified in females during late gestation or
lactation when they have the highest nutritional demands on their metabolism.

These are the more common signs that may indicate dental problems.
• Loss of body condition.
• Reluctance to eat/ Pain while chewing.
• Drooling
• Quidding
• Jaw abscess/ Swelling around the jaw area.
• Unhappy demeanour.

If you get to know your animals well you will become aware of any subtle signs that
may give you a clue that your alpaca may be ‘off colour’. As you watch them move
around, graze and chew their cud you will soon learn their normal routine and be
able to recognise what behaviour may indicate a health problem. It may be the way
the alpaca is holding its head or the fact that it is standing or sitting alone. Walk
among them, sit with them and watch them. All animals are creatures of habit and
you will soon learn to recognize the telltale signs something is amiss.

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