Dental disease in alpacas. Part 2: Risk factors associated with diastemata, periodontitis, occlusal pulp exposure, wear abnormalities, and malpositioned teeth

Abstract

Background Dental disorders, of which tooth root abscesses are best documented, are highly prevalent in alpacas. Identification of risk factors can be valuable for prevention of dental disorders in this species. Hypothesis/Objectives To identify risk factors associated with wear abnormalities, malpositioning, diastemata, periodontal disease (PD), and occlusal pulp exposure at the level of the cheek teeth. Animals Two hundred twenty‐eight alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from 25 farms. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Dental examinations were performed on sedated animals. Risk factors were determined by clinical examination and interview. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for wear abnormalities, malpositioned teeth, diastemata, PD, and occlusal pulp exposure. Results Mandibular swelling was significantly associated with PD (odds ratio [OR], 11.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.27‐48.81; P < .001). Nearly 73% of included animals with mandibular swelling concurrently had PD. For every increase in herd size of 1 animal, the risk for PD increased by 2% (95% CI, 1‐4%; P = .01). The association between severe stages of PD and body condition score (BCS) indicates a painful situation, impairing animal welfare (P < .001). For each 1‐day increase in interval between pasture cleanings, the odds of finding pulp exposure for a single animal was estimated to increase by 1% (95% CI, 0‐2%; P = .05). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Simple management tools such as measuring BCS, palpating the mandible for bony swellings, removing feces from pasture on a regular basis and decreasing herd size might help identify animals at risk for dental disorders or prevent their development.

Relationships between Body Condition Score (BCS), FAMACHA©-Score and Haematological Parameters in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and Llamas (Lama glama) Presented at the Veterinary Clinic

“…A more concave line would be interpreted as a lower BCS, a more convex line as a higher BCS [ 15 , 16 ]. Causes for a bad nutritional status in SAC include management problems such as a restricted animal/feeding place ratio, insufficient nutrient supply, infestation with endoparasites, tooth problems, or any other chronical disease [ 4 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. To date, there are several descriptions about the assessment of BCS in SAC, and there is also some information available about the relationship between BCS and health in llamas and alpacas [ 11 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Causes for a bad nutritional status in SAC include management problems such as a restricted animal/feeding place ratio, insufficient nutrient supply, infestation with endoparasites, tooth problems, or any other chronical disease [ 4 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. To date, there are several descriptions about the assessment of BCS in SAC, and there is also some information available about the relationship between BCS and health in llamas and alpacas [ 11 , 19 , 20 ]. However, so far, there is a lack of data concerning the BCS of SAC presented in the veterinary clinic.…”

Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography. Part 1: mandibular cheek teeth

“…Feeding outside of South America is generally richer and doesn’t include a lean time, thereby predisposing the animals to become obese. Furthermore, the use of different feedstuffs and differing management conditions might predispose alpacas to the development of specific dental disorders, as is also perceived in domesticated horses [ 5 , 23 ].…”

“…Tooth root abscesses, also termed apical infections, have received great attention in specific veterinary literature [ 1 – 3 ]. Recent studies have attributed to novel insights into the prevalence of specific dental disorders in alpacas [ 4 , 5 ]. Several wear abnormalities at the level of the cheek teeth, including step mouth, wave mouth, enamel overgrowths, focal overgrowths and accentuated transverse ridges have been proven to be of importance in this species [ 4 ].…”

Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography - Part 2: Maxillary cheek teeth

“…The early, specific veterinary literature on dental disease in camelids mainly focused on tooth root abscesses [ 1 – 3 ]. Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of other dental problems that are believed to precede tooth root abscesses, indicating that dental disease in general remains underdiagnosed in this species [ 3 , 4 ]. A lack of sufficient in-depth scientific knowledge with regards to normal anatomy and physiology of alpaca cheek teeth hinders proper understanding of the pathogenesis of specific dental problems [ 5 , 6 ].…”