Small animal dental disease Flashcards
Describe some small animal dental adaptations
Continual eruption
Molars - large occluisal surface, ridges
Incisors - large, sharp, ‘peg teeth’
No canines
Describe elodont dentition with species examples?
Continuously growing cheek teeth
Large occlusal surface for grinding
Herbivorous diets
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas
describe anelodont dentition with species examples?
short crowned, rooted cheek teeth - do not grow
grain eater, omnivores
rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, squirrels
What is a rabbits dental formula?
Describe the shape of rabbits maxillary incisors
Chisel shaped
More enamel on labial side, softer dentine on lingual aspect
sharp cutting edge
What are ‘cheek teeth; in rabbits?
molars and premoloars
work as one functional unit
What are ‘peg teeth’ in rabbits and what is thier function?
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
What is special about the alignment of rabbit teeth?
The mandibular arcade is narrower than the maxillary
Lingual edge of maxillary teeth occludes with buccal edge of mandibular teeth
What are the consequences of continual growth of rabbit teeth?
High Ca requirement
Need to be worn down correctly
What is special about rabbit tooth roots and crowns?
No crown-root demarcation
whole tooth is considered a crown
Reserved crown within jaw often referred to as ‘root’
Why would a rabbit display runny eyes in dental disease?
The nasolacrimal ducts sit close to the reserve crown
Prone to blockage, inflammation and infection
What is the dental formula for rats and mice?
what is the dental formulae for guinea pigs and chinchillas?
Clinical relevance - guinea pig cheek teeth
Maxillary cheek teeth angled outwards, mandibular inwards -> tongue entrapment
What dietary factors can lead to dental disease?
Not enough vegetation
Selective eating
Sugary treats and fruit
Vitamin C deficiency
Selenium deficiency
Ca/P imbalance
What breeding factors are associated with dental disease?
Inherited predisposition
Brachycephalic
What does Ca/P imbalance lead to in rabbits relating to dentition?
metabolic bone disease -> loosening of teeth within jaw
What is PSADD?
Progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease
What is the process of PSADD?
Apical elongation
Crown elongation and curvature
Enamel spurs
Acquired malocclusion
Enamel hypoplasia
Dental abscesses
What is the impact of apical elongation and how is it caused?
Eruption slows or stops due to reduced wear
-> pressure on nasolacrimal duct + nerves
-> can penetrate bone on ventral mandible
What is the first sign of apical elongation and why is it caused?
Going off hay - this requires a greater force to grind and the nerves are being pinched so they cannot do this
What are the impacts of aqcuired malocclusion in rabbits?
-> abnormal wear of incisors and cheek teeth
-> crown elongation and curvature
-> enamel spurs -> soft tissue damage, inflammation and pain
What are the late stages of PSADD (progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease)?
Periodontal loosening -> rotation of teeth
Loss of alveolar bone -> abscesses
Teeth stop growing due to destruction of germinal tissue
Clinical relevance - teeth stopping growing in PSADD
Can be mistaken for successful response to treatment
Still painful
Label this cranial radiograph of a rabbit
When would you use dental burring in rabbits?
Incisor overgrowth
Cheek teeth overgrowth
What is the aim of dental burring in rabbits?
remove spikes
restore normal anatomy
What are the caveats of dental burring in rabbits?
not a long term solution
need to correct underlying cause
not enough for abscesses
why should you never cut incisors with hand scissors?
causes teeth fractures
How can diet be improved to prevent dental disease in small animals?
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
What are some non-diet ways to prevent dental disease in small animals?
encourage/allow gnawing behaviours
selective breeding/culling
