Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas: Maxillofacial Dysgenesis in Crias
- Wry face or wry nose is a congenital facial deformity in alpaca crias where the upper jaw, and sometimes the lower jaw, deviates to one side.
- Mild cases may mainly affect appearance and bite alignment, but severe cases can narrow the nostrils, interfere with nursing, and cause poor weight gain.
- This condition can occur along with other congenital problems, including choanal atresia, so a full newborn exam matters.
- Your vet may recommend monitoring, skull radiographs, referral imaging, or discussion of humane quality-of-life decisions depending on severity.
- Affected alpacas should generally not be used for breeding because congenital defects may have a heritable component.
What Is Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas?
Wry face, also called wry nose or maxillofacial dysgenesis, is a congenital condition seen in some alpaca crias. The upper jaw shifts sideways to the left or right, and in some crias the lower jaw may also be affected. Merck describes the deformity as ranging from slight deviation to severe lateral displacement of the maxilla.
This is more than a cosmetic issue. In mild cases, a cria may still breathe and nurse fairly well, though the bite may not line up normally. In more severe cases, the nostrils can become partly blocked and the incisors may not meet the dental pad correctly, making nursing and long-term eating difficult.
Because alpacas are obligate nasal breathers, any facial deformity that narrows the nasal passages deserves prompt veterinary attention. See your vet immediately if a newborn cria has noisy breathing, struggles to latch, tires during nursing, or is not gaining weight as expected.
Symptoms of Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas
- Visible sideways deviation of the nose or upper jaw
- Uneven nostrils or one nostril appearing narrowed
- Poor alignment between incisors and dental pad
- Difficulty latching or nursing effectively
- Milk bubbling from the nose or coughing during nursing
- Slow weight gain, weakness, or frequent fatigue while nursing
- Noisy breathing, open-mouth breathing, or respiratory distress
- Other congenital abnormalities noted on newborn exam
Some crias with mild facial deviation can nurse and grow with close monitoring, while others develop serious breathing or feeding problems very early. See your vet immediately if your cria has labored breathing, cannot nurse normally, seems weak after feeding attempts, or is failing to gain weight. Severe cases may become emergencies because alpacas depend on clear nasal airflow.
What Causes Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas?
Wry face is considered a congenital developmental defect, meaning the abnormality is present at birth. In alpacas and llamas, Merck notes that facial defects are among the more frequently reported inherited anomalies, and congenital defects in camelids are thought to be influenced in part by genetics even when a single cause is not proven in every case.
The exact mechanism is not always clear. The maxilla develops abnormally and deviates laterally, and the mandible may or may not follow. Some affected crias also have other congenital problems. Merck specifically notes an apparent relationship between wry face and choanal atresia, a defect involving failure of the inner nasal openings to form normally.
For pet parents and breeders, the practical takeaway is important: this is not something caused by routine day-to-day handling after birth. Because congenital defects may cluster within bloodlines, your vet may advise against breeding affected alpacas or repeating a mating that produced an affected cria.
How Is Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a careful physical exam of the newborn cria. Your vet will look at facial symmetry, nostril size, airflow, jaw alignment, ability to latch and swallow, and whether the incisors meet the dental pad correctly. Weight, hydration, and nursing history also matter because the biggest early concerns are breathing and nutrition.
If the deformity appears more than mild, your vet may recommend imaging to understand how much the bones and nasal passages are affected. Skull radiographs can help assess jaw deviation and dental alignment. In referral settings, advanced imaging such as CT may be used when surgical planning or a more detailed airway assessment is needed.
A full exam is especially important because camelid crias with one congenital defect can have others. Your vet may check for choanal atresia, aspiration risk, and general newborn health issues before discussing treatment options and prognosis.
Treatment Options for Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Budget-Conscious Care
- Farm call or clinic exam
- Assessment of breathing, latch, hydration, and weight gain
- Monitoring plan for mild facial deviation
- Bottle or assisted feeding guidance if nursing is inefficient
- Quality-of-life discussion and breeding guidance
Recommended Standard Treatment
- Complete newborn exam and recheck visits
- Skull radiographs to assess jaw and nasal deviation
- Supportive feeding plan and weight monitoring
- Evaluation for related congenital defects such as choanal atresia
- Referral discussion if function is significantly affected
Advanced / Critical Care
- Referral to a camelid-experienced hospital or surgeon
- Advanced imaging such as CT under sedation or anesthesia
- Intensive feeding support and hospitalization when needed
- Specialty consultation for airway, dental, or reconstructive planning
- Humane end-of-life discussion when breathing or nursing cannot be adequately supported
Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Questions to Ask Your Vet About Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- How severe is the jaw deviation, and is it affecting airflow through either nostril?
- Is my cria nursing enough on its own, or do we need supplemental feeding?
- Do you recommend skull radiographs now, or should we monitor first?
- Could this cria also have choanal atresia or another congenital defect?
- What signs would mean this has become an emergency at home?
- What is the likely long-term outlook for breathing, eating, and growth?
- Is referral to a camelid specialist or teaching hospital appropriate in this case?
- Should this alpaca and its close relatives be removed from breeding plans?
How to Prevent Wry Face or Wry Nose in Alpacas
Not every case can be prevented, but breeding decisions are the main prevention tool. Because facial defects in camelids may have a heritable component, affected alpacas should generally not be bred. Many breeders also avoid repeating the same sire-dam pairing if a cria is born with wry face or another significant congenital defect.
Good herd records matter. Track congenital abnormalities, stillbirths, neonatal losses, and any repeated defects within bloodlines. Sharing that history with your vet can help guide future mating choices and newborn monitoring plans.
Early cria exams are also part of prevention in a broader sense. A prompt newborn check helps catch facial asymmetry, airflow problems, and nursing difficulty before a cria becomes weak or dehydrated. While an exam cannot prevent the defect from occurring, it can prevent delays in supportive care and improve decision-making for the cria's welfare.