small mammal dental disease Flashcards
grasses contain large amounts of: ….. which is very …..
silica phytoliths = very abrasive
rabbit/rodent incisors are:
large, sharp and chisel shaped
rabbit and rodent molars have:
- large occlusal surface
- ridges on surface
rabbit and rodent teeth erupt continually or once
continual eruption
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
- keep shape by eating gnawing, and occasional grinding
what are cheek teeth in rabbits
- molars and premolars
- 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 tipds 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?
what is the CR of guinea pig cheek teeth
maxillary cheek teeth angled outwards, mandibular inwards leading to tongue entrapment
what dietary factors can lead to dental disease in small mammals
- not enough veg
- selective eating
- sugary treats and fruit
- vitamin C deficiency
- selenium deficiency
- Ca/P imbalance
what breeding fators are associated with dental disease
- inherited predisposition
- brachycephalic
what does Ca/P imbalance lead to in rabbits relating to dentition
metabolic bone disease leading to loosening of teeth within jaw
what is PSADD
progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease
Which species present most commonly with dental disease?
elodonts
Which teeth (incisors, cheek teeth) are most commonly affected in each?
Elodonts – cheek teeth mostly, incisors too
Anelodonts – incisor teeth
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
what are the indications for dental burring in rabbits
- incisor overgrowth
- cheek teeth overgrowth
what is the aim of dental burring in rabbits
- remove spikes
- resotre normal anatomy
what are the caveats of dental burring in rabbits
- not a long term solution
- need to correct underlying cause
- not enough for ascesses
why should you never cut incisors
causes teeth fratures
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 (adequate Ca, piggies need vit C)
- weeds, wild plants and fibrous veg
- root veg and fruits as treats only
- avoid sugary treats
What are some non-diet ways to prevent dental disease in small animals?
- encourage/allow gnawing behaviours
- selective breeding/culling
