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