Q. Hi Tim - question about shearing suri weanlings. I have two beautiful suri girls, who will be 9 and 11 months at the time of shearing, and I don't know if I should shear them or not. They have nice locking and I haven't shown them yet. I would like to show them this summer and fall. However, I believe that shearing helps the energy go into their bone growth instead of their fleece as they mature. I also know that second fleeces tend to be even better than first, however, it may take a full two years to get that show growth back. Would you recommend going ahead and shearing them fully or just belly shearing them at this time?

Thanks for your help and thanks for your newsletter, as it is one of the better ones that are put out. Looking forward to showing under you sometime this year!

A. As a judge and as a breeder I recommend shearing all suris yearly. First, it is important to see how the second fleece grows, in order to accurately judge the quality of the fleece of that alpaca. Second, for the health and well being of the suri alpacas regarding heat as well as growth issues I think shearing yearly is a good idea. Also, keep in mind that AOBA has a new rule for 2007 that allows shows to have separate classes for previously shorn and unshorn suris. If in the fall your girls have the required 3 inches of growth for full fleece classes they may only be judged against other suris that have been shorn, depending on the size.

Thanks again for the question. I hope this helps.
 

Q. I have a question about teeth trimming. My vet, an experienced alpaca vet, has frequently indicated that I don't need to trim a given alpaca's teeth when I ask him about trimming. He comments that there is not enough to trim off, and nothing to grab onto to do the trimming (I'm thinking he means, since teeth are only slightly long, it is difficult to trim only that amount.) Anyway, my question is, how are suggesting we trim the teeth? My vet uses a wire, and maybe that is why he can't trim small amounts. Is there another tool that works better, and if so, any helpful information about how to use the tool?

A. Thank you for your question. Bites can be a tricky subject. There is not much in the 2006 rulebook about teeth (other than they should align with the top dental pad). Personally, I feel that if you can trim a bite slightly once at a young age and not have to deal with it again that is a positive thing for you and for the alpaca. If there is a slight overbite where the bottom teeth go past the top palate (pad) then some breeders use a Dremel type of tool with a mini drum sander to grind a small amount of the top edge of the teeth down. Since the roots of the teeth are not near the top of the teeth, slight trimming can be done fairly easily and painlessly. Of course this is coming from a guy who does not believe in using Novocain when having minor cavities drilled. Slight corrections can be made in 10-15 seconds with minimal restraint (1 person) using a Dremel. Judges will often know if a bite has been trimmed. Also, significantly incorrect bites cannot be fixed. Most vets will probably use a wire to trim significant overbites.



 

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