Small animal dental disease Flashcards

1
Q

Describe some small animal dental adaptations

A

Continual eruption
Molars - large occluisal surface, ridges
Incisors - large, sharp, ‘peg teeth’
No canines

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2
Q

Describe elodont dentition with species examples?

A

Continuously growing cheek teeth
Large occlusal surface for grinding
Herbivorous diets
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas

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3
Q

describe anelodont dentition with species examples?

A

short crowned, rooted cheek teeth - do not grow
grain eater, omnivores
rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, squirrels

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4
Q

What is a rabbits dental formula?

A
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5
Q

Describe the shape of rabbits maxillary incisors

A

Chisel shaped
More enamel on labial side, softer dentine on lingual aspect
sharp cutting edge

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6
Q

What are ‘cheek teeth; in rabbits?

A

molars and premoloars
work as one functional unit

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7
Q

What are ‘peg teeth’ in rabbits and what is thier function?

A

2 extra tiny incisors
sit just behind upper incisors
at rest the tips of lower incisors rest against upper peg teeth - helps with occlusion and wear of lower incisors

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8
Q

What is special about the alignment of rabbit teeth?

A

The mandibular arcade is narrower than the maxillary
Lingual edge of maxillary teeth occludes with buccal edge of mandibular teeth

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8
Q

What are the consequences of continual growth of rabbit teeth?

A

High Ca requirement
Need to be worn down correctly

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9
Q

What is special about rabbit tooth roots and crowns?

A

No crown-root demarcation
whole tooth is considered a crown
Reserved crown within jaw often referred to as ‘root’

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10
Q

Why would a rabbit display runny eyes in dental disease?

A

The nasolacrimal ducts sit close to the reserve crown
Prone to blockage, inflammation and infection

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11
Q

What is the dental formula for rats and mice?

A
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12
Q

what is the dental formulae for guinea pigs and chinchillas?

A
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13
Q

Clinical relevance - guinea pig cheek teeth

A

Maxillary cheek teeth angled outwards, mandibular inwards -> tongue entrapment

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14
Q

What dietary factors can lead to dental disease?

A

Not enough vegetation
Selective eating
Sugary treats and fruit
Vitamin C deficiency
Selenium deficiency
Ca/P imbalance

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15
Q

What breeding factors are associated with dental disease?

A

Inherited predisposition
Brachycephalic

16
Q

What does Ca/P imbalance lead to in rabbits relating to dentition?

A

metabolic bone disease -> loosening of teeth within jaw

17
Q

What is PSADD?

A

Progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease

18
Q

What is the process of PSADD?

A

Apical elongation
Crown elongation and curvature
Enamel spurs
Acquired malocclusion
Enamel hypoplasia
Dental abscesses

19
Q

What is the impact of apical elongation and how is it caused?

A

Eruption slows or stops due to reduced wear
-> pressure on nasolacrimal duct + nerves
-> can penetrate bone on ventral mandible

20
Q

What is the first sign of apical elongation and why is it caused?

A

Going off hay - this requires a greater force to grind and the nerves are being pinched so they cannot do this

21
Q

What are the impacts of aqcuired malocclusion in rabbits?

A

-> abnormal wear of incisors and cheek teeth
-> crown elongation and curvature
-> enamel spurs -> soft tissue damage, inflammation and pain

22
Q

What are the late stages of PSADD (progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease)?

A

Periodontal loosening -> rotation of teeth
Loss of alveolar bone -> abscesses
Teeth stop growing due to destruction of germinal tissue

23
Q

Clinical relevance - teeth stopping growing in PSADD

A

Can be mistaken for successful response to treatment
Still painful

24
Q

Label this cranial radiograph of a rabbit

A
25
Q

When would you use dental burring in rabbits?

A

Incisor overgrowth
Cheek teeth overgrowth

26
Q

What is the aim of dental burring in rabbits?

A

remove spikes
restore normal anatomy

27
Q

What are the caveats of dental burring in rabbits?

A

not a long term solution
need to correct underlying cause
not enough for abscesses

28
Q

why should you never cut incisors with hand scissors?

A

causes teeth fractures

29
Q

How can diet be improved to prevent dental disease in small animals?

A

lots of grass and good quality hay
small amounts of pellets, no muesli
Food appropriate for age and species (e.g., adequate Ca, guinea pigs need vit C)
weeds, wild plants and fibrous veg
root veg and fruits as treats only
avoid sugary trats

30
Q

What are some non-diet ways to prevent dental disease in small animals?

A

encourage/allow gnawing behaviours
selective breeding/culling