Dental Disease in Alpacas. Part 1: Prevalence of Dental Disorders and Their Mutual Relationships

Overview

Journal J Vet Intern Med

Specialties General Medicine
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2020 Feb 29

PMID 32107866

Citations 9

Authors

Kirsten Proost

Bart Pardon

Elke Pollaris

Thijs Flahou

Lieven Vlaminck

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Dental disease is a troublesome health concern in alpacas. Specifically, the occurrence of tooth root abscesses has been described in veterinary literature. Nevertheless, no objective prevalence data are available for dental disorders in alpacas.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine the prevalence of dental disorders in alpaca herds in Belgium and the Netherlands. To study the associations between the different dental disorders encountered in alpacas.

Animals: A total of 228 alpacas (Vicugna pacos) originating from 25 farms.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Dental disorders were diagnosed by dental examination of sedated animals using a dental mirror or a portable rigid oroscope.

Results: At the animal level, 82% (n = 187) had dental disorders of which 74.6, 41.7, and 3.9% were cheek teeth, incisor disorders, and canine disorders, respectively. At the level of the cheek teeth, diastemata (43.1%) were most common, followed by wear abnormalities (WA; 39.6%) and periodontal disease (PD; 33.3%). A significant association was detected between the presence of diastemata and PD (odds ratio [OR], 13.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6-27.7; P < .001). Pulp exposure was significantly associated with the presence of diastemata (OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 3.8-51.5; P < .001), PD (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 3.1-25.3; P < .001) and WA (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.4; P = .002).

Conclusion And Clinical Importance: Dental disorders are highly prevalent in alpacas in Belgium and the Netherlands. Several dental disorders in alpacas had significant associations. To prevent the development of advanced stages of dental disease, routine dental examinations are advised to allow early detection and prompt treatment.

Citing Articles

Relationships between body condition score, body weight and body measurements in alpacas.

Buchallik-Schregel J, Kiene F, Buchallik J, Marahrens H, Ossowski N, Schumacher C Ir Vet J. 2024; 77(1):11.

PMID: 38816833 PMC: 11138088. DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00274-z.

Tooth Root Abscess and Mandibular Infections in Old World Camelids: 3 Cases.

Sparnon A, Smith J, Mulon P, Hecht S, Anderson D, Van Amstel S Case Rep Vet Med. 2024; 2024:4589572.

PMID: 38595336 PMC: 11003790. DOI: 10.1155/2024/4589572.

Most common diagnoses and antibiotics used in South American Camelid patients at a university clinic in Austria.

Hund A, Wittek T, Selan U, Kasbohrer A, Firth C Front Vet Sci. 2023; 10:1258812.

PMID: 37869490 PMC: 10588649. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1258812.

A histological description of alpaca () cheek teeth: Findings and anatomical variations in macroscopically normal molars.

Proost K, Staszyk C, Boone M, Vogelsberg J, Josipovic I, Vlaminck L Front Vet Sci. 2022; 9:972973.

PMID: 36387382 PMC: 9659760. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.972973.

Mandibular Thickness Measurements as Predictive Tool for Specific Dental Disorders in Alpacas (Vicugna Pacos).

Proost K, Pardon B, Vlaminck L Front Vet Sci. 2022; 9:817050.

PMID: 35280147 PMC: 8913036. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.817050.

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