small mammal dental disease

Question 1

grasses contain large amounts of: ….. which is very …..

Answer 1

silica phytoliths = very abrasive

Question 2

rabbit/rodent incisors are:

Answer 2

large, sharp and chisel shaped

Question 3

rabbit and rodent molars have:

Answer 3

• large occlusal surface
• ridges on surface

Question 4

rabbit and rodent teeth erupt continually or once

Answer 4

continual eruption

Question 5

Describe some small animal dental adaptations

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Describe elodont dentition with species examples?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

describe anelodont dentition with species examples?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is a rabbits dental formula?

Answer 8

Question 9

Describe the shape of rabbits maxillary incisors

Answer 9

• chisel shaped
• more enamel on labial side, softer dentine on lingual aspect
• sharp cutting edge
• keep shape by eating gnawing, and occasional grinding

Question 10

what are cheek teeth in rabbits

Answer 10

• molars and premolars
• work as one functional unit

Question 11

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

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What is special about the alignment of rabbit teeth?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What are the consequences of continual growth of rabbit teeth?

Answer 13

• high Ca requirement
• need to be worn down correctly

Question 14

what is special about rabbit tooth roots and crowns

Answer 14

• no crown-root demarcation
• whole tooth is considered a crown
• reserved crown within jaw often referred to as ‘root’

Question 15

Why would a rabbit display runny eyes in dental disease?

Answer 15

• the nasolacrimal ducts sit close to the reserve crown
• prone to blockage, inflammation and infection

Question 16

What is the dental formula for rats and mice?

Answer 16

Question 17

what is the dental formulae for guinea pigs and chinchillas?

Answer 17

Question 18

what is the CR of guinea pig cheek teeth

Answer 18

maxillary cheek teeth angled outwards, mandibular inwards leading to tongue entrapment

Question 19

what dietary factors can lead to dental disease in small mammals

Answer 19

• not enough veg
• selective eating
• sugary treats and fruit
• vitamin C deficiency
• selenium deficiency
• Ca/P imbalance

Question 20

what breeding fators are associated with dental disease

Answer 20

• inherited predisposition
• brachycephalic

Question 21

what does Ca/P imbalance lead to in rabbits relating to dentition

Answer 21

metabolic bone disease leading to loosening of teeth within jaw

Question 22

what is PSADD

Answer 22

progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease

Question 23

Which species present most commonly with dental disease?

Answer 23

elodonts

Question 24

Which teeth (incisors, cheek teeth) are most commonly affected in each?

Answer 24

Elodonts – cheek teeth mostly, incisors too
Anelodonts – incisor teeth

Question 25

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

Answer 25

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

Question 26

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

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What are the impacts of aqcuired malocclusion in rabbits?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what are the indications for dental burring in rabbits

Answer 29

• incisor overgrowth
• cheek teeth overgrowth

Question 30

what is the aim of dental burring in rabbits

Answer 30

• remove spikes
• resotre normal anatomy

Question 31

what are the caveats of dental burring in rabbits

Answer 31

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

Question 32

why should you never cut incisors

Answer 32

causes teeth fratures

Question 33

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

Answer 33

• 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

Question 34

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

Answer 34

• encourage/allow gnawing behaviours
• selective breeding/culling