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Skulls from 305 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were examined using predefined criteria to assess for the presence and severity of dental and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology. Of the 305 specimens examined, 131 were male (42.9%), 103 were female (33.4%), 71 were of unknown sex (23.3%), 238 were adults (78.03%) and 67 were young adults (21.97%), with juveniles excluded from the study. Of a maximum of 12,810 possible teeth, 12,355 (96.5%) were present for examination, 72 (0.6%) were absent congenitally, 97 (0.8%) were acquired tooth loss and 280 (2.2%) were absent artefactually. Eight teeth (0.06%) in five specimens (1.6%) had abnormal tooth form and four (0.03%) supernumerary teeth were present across four (1.3%) specimens. Ten persistent deciduous teeth were present in seven (2.3%) specimens and six (0.05%) unerupted teeth were found in four (1.1%) specimens. Root number variation was present in 51 (0.4%) teeth, predominantly premolar teeth. Twenty-one (6.9%) specimens had lesions consistent with enamel hypoplasia and 42 (13.8%) showed root fenestrations in the maxillary alveolar bone. Periodontitis and attrition/abrasion were present in most specimens (56.7% and 96.1%, respectively). Three-hundred and eighty (3.1%) teeth were fractured, with the most common fracture type being root fractures. Eleven periapical lesions were found in nine (0.03%) specimens. Six-hundred and eight TMJs were evaluated and many specimens (11.5%) had evidence of low-grade TMJ osteoarthritis. Overall, these red foxes share similar dental pathology to other foxes, but had a higher prevalence of congenital tooth absence, persistent deciduous teeth, TMJ pathology and enamel hypoplasia., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Geriatric horses have a high prevalence of dental disease, which is a culmination of age-related dental changes and dental disease throughout the life of the horse that may have long-term consequences. Wear abnormalities, diastemata with periodontal disease, pulpitis and endodontic disease, infundibular caries, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis become more prevalent with age. Recognition of age-related dental disease at an early stage can help to treat and possibly preserve teeth for longer. With a natural decrease in masticatory efficiency, it is even more important to preserve teeth where possible and prevent any painful dental disease. Regular routine dental examination and maintenance will help to prevent many dental conditions such as wear disorders and possibly secondary diastemata. Successful treatment and management of most dental diseases are possible even in older patients and will ensure that we are able to maintain a high standard of welfare as horses age.

Museum skull specimens from 318 island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria. The study population included males (n = 129, 40.6%), females (n = 93, 29.3%) and animals of unknown sex (n = 96, 30.2%), and comprised 182 (57.2%) adults, 118 (37.1%) young adults and 18 (5.7%) individuals of unknown age, with juveniles and neonates excluded. The number of teeth present for examination was 11,438 (85.6%) with 1918 (14.4%) absent artefactually, 4 (0.03%) absent congenitally and 243 (1.82%) lost ante mortem through acquired tooth loss. There were seven persistent deciduous teeth (0.05%) in three specimens and 11 supernumerary teeth (0.08%) in 10 specimens. Teeth with extra roots were found in 38 skulls (11.9%) with 0.48% of all teeth affected. Two (0.63%) specimens had one tooth with an abnormal form. Fifty-eight (18.2%) specimens had bone fenestrations. Of the alveoli examined, 5361 (46.9%) displayed bony changes suggestive of periodontitis, with 315 (99.1%) of skulls affected. Of the teeth available for examination in 310 specimens (97.5%), most (n = 6,040, 52.8%) had some degree of attrition or abrasion. Fractures affected 1217 (11.0%) of the teeth present in 266 specimens (83.6%). Twenty-three periapical lesions (0.20%) were present in 16 skulls (5.03%). Evidence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis was found in seven specimens (0.02%) on either the mandibular head of the condylar process or on the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Dental and oral diseases are prevalent in many mammalian species including wild felids. Determining the dental and oral health status of captive animal populations can help establish preventive and therapeutic strategies, leading to improved welfare and conservation efforts. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease, endodontic disease, tooth resorption, and other clinically relevant dental and maxillofacial abnormalities in a population of captive jaguars ( Panthera onca ) using clinical, radiographic, and histopathological findings. Fifteen jaguars, ranging from young adult to geriatric, kept at a private zoo in Belize, Central America, had a detailed oral examination under general anesthesia between January 2015 and March 2019. Periodontitis was present in 3.8% (16/423) of examined teeth and 53.8% (7/13) of jaguars that underwent periodontal probing. Endodontic disease secondary to dentoalveolar trauma was found in 21.0% (89/423) of teeth in 73.3% (11/15) of animals. Tooth resorption, which has not been previously documented in jaguars, affected 1.4% (6/423) of teeth in 13.3% (2/15) of jaguars. Other abnormalities included metallic foreign material (gunshot) identified radiographically in 33.3% (5/15) of jaguars and nontraumatizing malocclusion in 9.1% (1/11) of jaguars that had occlusion evaluated. Much of the oral pathology identified in captive jaguars is suspected to arise from capture and/or captivity-associated behaviors, as suggested by gunshot around the oral cavity, fractures of rostral teeth (canine and incisor teeth), and abrasions consistent with cage-biting on canine teeth. Anesthetized oral examination-including full-mouth intraoral radiographs, periodontal probing, and charting-is recommended for jaguars with clinical signs of oral pain, as well as for routine systemic evaluation.

Antemortem domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) dental pathology literature is sparse. This observational descriptive study evaluated 23 client-owned pigs that while sedated/anesthetized for routine annual care had intraoral dental radiographs and an oral examination performed. Age, gender, weight, and breed for each pig were recorded. Oral examination and radiographic findings were reviewed to create a comprehensive list of dental abnormalities identified. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the data. The study population included 14 castrated males and 20 Vietnamese pot-bellied mini-pigs. The median age was 3 years (range 2-12 years), and the median weight was 39 kg (range 11-140 kg). The most common finding was missing teeth (21/23 pigs); the first premolar tooth was the most likely to be absent (64/106 missing teeth). Periodontal disease was common (20/23 pigs). Advanced stages primarily affected the first molar teeth frequently in the form of a mucogingival defect. Supernumerary roots were discovered on the maxillary canine teeth in female pigs only (10/25 teeth with supernumerary roots). The most common persistent deciduous tooth was the maxillary second incisor (15/19 persistent deciduous teeth). Non-age or gender related open apices were most likely associated with mandibular first and second incisor teeth (26/96 teeth with open apices). Tooth resorption was also identified (7/23 pigs). The study findings prove that pet pigs commonly have dental pathology; therefore, thorough oral examinations with intraoral radiographs should be included in porcine routine health care regimens.

Equine dentistry has been practiced for almost 3000 years, making it one of the oldest areas of equine health care. Progress has been slow and mirrored changes seen in human medical care. Many horsemen practiced equine dentistry during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Most of what was known then concentrated on sharp enamel points and abnormal dental occlusal wear. This changed slowly in the late twentieth century as research in equine dentistry increased. Today, veterinarians performing equine dentistry focus on detailed oral examination and base treatment for proper diagnosis of orthodontic, endodontic, periodontal, or other forms of dental disease., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dental repulsion techniques reported in the past decades have a high incidence of complications. Although the practice of surgical extractions in horses is limited because of the training, instrumentation, and experience required to perform these techniques, veterinarians should be aware these procedures are available, general anesthesia is not required, and when performed by skilled veterinary dentists they have low complication rates. Surgical techniques are often used after failure of other extraction techniques to remove retained tooth root and fragments or to debride chronically contaminated orofacial lesions. However, surgical extractions should be considered during initial treatment planning of all complicated cases., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Adjunct extraction techniques are used when the shape or integrity of the tooth, the shape or size of the patient's oral cavity, the location of the tooth, or the location of the proximal teeth prevents or complicates standard oral extraction. Techniques described and discussed include partial coronectomy, tooth sectioning, minimally invasive buccotomy, transbuccal screw extraction, and commissurotomy., Competing Interests: Disclosure No competing interests have been declared., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article serves as a template for equine veterinarians to become proficient in basic intraoral premolar and molar extraction techniques of Equidae. Indications, equipment, and methodology are described. Numerous photos and videos are included to achieve a more immersive learning experience than can be accomplished with the written word alone. Clinicians performing these techniques will continue to improve their skillsets to achieve positive outcomes as case specifics become more challenging., Competing Interests: Disclosure The author has no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oral endoscopy is a valuable addition to the equine dental examination process. It enables veterinarians to visualize subtle oral disorders and is a useful client education tool. There are several commercially available oral endoscopic systems on the market. Practitioners can also assemble their own systems. An oral endoscope is used to perform a thorough and systematic oral examination and to visualize normal oral structures as well as oral disorders. It is also used to guide instrument placement during oral surgeries and other dental procedures., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors do not have any commercial or financial conflicts of interest or any funding sources to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oral extraction has become the most popular extraction technique owing to its high rate of success with minimal major complication. Repulsion continues to produce unacceptably high iatrogenic complication rates. To avoid tooth repulsion, veterinary dentists have introduced procedures to facilitate difficult intraoral extractions and surgical extraction techniques. Minimizing complications is best achieved preoperatively. A comprehensive preoperative evaluation and treatment plan allows the dentist to predict intraoperative complication and prepare for procedures to produce the best outcome. With proper case selection and adherence to extraction principles, the primary veterinarian and the veterinary dentist can perform equine tooth extractions with minimal complications., Competing Interests: Disclosure No funding sources, financial interests, or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A horse's well-being is directly related to the management of its dental health. A good knowledge of the epidemiology and aetiology of dental disorders could help the owners and clinicians to prevent not only dental problems but also severe gastrointestinal diseases., Objectives: In this study we report the prevalence of dental disorders in horses in Iran., Methods: We examined 317 horses randomly in eight provinces in Iran and 21 diseases were characterized in the examined horses. The observed diseases were compared among different breeds, genders and ages of the examined horses., Results: The factor of age among the other three factors was more important in the incidence of diseases because most of the diseases found were significantly different among age groups. Between different breeds examined, only cheek teeth cemental caries in Kurdish and Arabian horses was significantly different (p = .022). Enamel point with an occurrence of 34.4% was the most common disease. Broken cheek teeth were more prevalent in male horses in comparison with female horses (p = .035)., Conclusion: Our study showed a moderate prevalence of dental disorders in Iranian horse clubs, which could be reduced with better management., (© 2020 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To compare the effects of meloxicam or carprofen on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and to evaluate the effect of meloxicam on urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, of cats after dental surgery., Study Design: Randomized, blinded, controlled trial., Animals: A total of 24 mixed breed cats., Methods: Cats were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 8 per group): meloxicam (0.2 mg kg -1 ); carprofen (4 mg kg -1 ); or saline (2 mL). Acepromazine (0.04 mg kg -1 ) and buprenorphine (0.02 mg kg -1 ) were administered intramuscularly as preanaesthetic medication. Test drugs were injected subcutaneously at the time of preanaesthetic medication. Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (f R ), heart rate (HR) and haemoglobin oxygen saturation values (SpO 2 ) were recorded. All cats underwent ultrasonic dental scaling with polishing. Teeth extraction involved mucosal flap creation, removal of alveolar bone and flap closure. Plasma iohexol clearance (ICL), a measure of GFR, was estimated before and 24 hours after anaesthesia induction in all cats. Urinary NAG index was estimated in saline and meloxicam groups at the same time points as GFR. Between-group and -time point differences in GFR and NAG index were compared using mixed model analyses. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (p < 0.05)., Results: There was no significant difference in plasma ICL rate (range: from 1.22 ± 0.05 to 1.27 ± 0.04 mL kg minute -1 ) between groups or between time points. Urinary NAG index (range: from 1.0 ± 0.19 to 1.36 ± 0.29 Units gram -1 ) was not significantly different between meloxicam and saline groups. MAP, HR, f R and SpO 2 did not differ significantly between groups., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Meloxicam and carprofen appeared to produce nonsignificant effects on GFR, and meloxicam did not affect the urinary NAG activity, of cats after dental surgery., (Copyright © 2020 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Distinct diseases prevent endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) recovery. Fundamental etiological factors include nutriments, a mayor component of habitat quality. Undernutrition affects growth, skeletal development, osteopathology, reproduction and immunocompetence: this paper amplifies data corroborating micro-nutrient deficiencies among huemul., Results: In Argentina, 57% huemul cadavers exhibited osteopathology, with new cases reported here. Recently, 86% live huemul had osteopathology: cranial lesions involved antemortem tooth loss, reducing feeding efficiency and body condition, with starvation deaths. This population had tissues well deficient compared to other cervids, averaging 0.28 ppm selenium, 4.98 ppm copper, whereas for manganese 55% were deficient (2.52 ppm) and 45% adequate (42.79 ppm). Recently, lesions in one Chilean huemul were interpreted to stem from parapoxvirus. That population also has cases with cranial osteopathologies, high disease susceptibility (parapoxvirus, parasitism, foot lesions), crippled antlers, and low density, indicative of marginal habitat and primary etiological factors like undernutrition and immunosuppression. The reported atypical symptoms attributed to parapoxvirus may relate to probable diagnostic limitations, but does support presence of nutritional deficiencies. Patagonia has selenium deficient plants and livestock, including severe muscular dystrophy, and soil levels in extant huemul areas considered very deficient. Moreover, 73% of Chilean huemul were selenium deficient and 64% severely deficient with concomitant cranial osteopathology.

Knowledge on dental disorders in commercial sows is limited although such conditions may have important animal welfare implications. In a pilot study, the dental and periodontal health of 58 sows (Landrace*Yorkshire-crosses) from 8 Swedish commercial pig herds, slaughtered at one abattoir, were investigated. The oral cavity was inspected and abnormalities were recorded on a dental chart modified for pigs. Dental abnormalities, absence of teeth, supernumerary teeth, tooth fractures, signs of caries, and malalignment were recorded. The study revealed that 19% of the sows had supernumerary teeth and 59% of the sows missed at least one tooth. Periodontitis, calculus and malalignment were observed in 33%, 45% and 17%, respectively. Tooth wear was very common both in incisors (total 83%) and in premolars/molars (total 84%). One or more tooth fractures (between 1 and 6 per sow) was found in 41%. Signs of caries was found in 9%. In order to assess oral health, three indices were used: calculus index (CI), periodontal index (PDI) and tooth wear index (TWI). Severe periodontitis, tooth wear in incisors and tooth wear in premolars/molars were found in 7%, 34% and 35%, respectively. With respect to animal welfare, the etiology and the effects of the disorders on health, stress and pain need to be investigated.

Equine dentistry is a rapidly developing clinical specialty. It has benefitted from key advances in anatomical and physiological research, development of equipment and instrumentation, utilisation of standing sedation and anaesthesia protocols, a change towards minimally invasive surgical techniques, and the introduction of restorative and endodontic techniques translated from techniques used in human and canine dentistry. Anatomical research has provided further insight into the endodontic system of incisors and cheek teeth and how it changes throughout development with age. Studies of the periodontium have demonstrated a rich vascular supply and repair capacity. Routine dental visits are increasingly being performed utilising sedation and clinical instruments for routine examinations. Equipment has become more efficient, battery-operated and miniaturised giving benefits to both equine dental maintenance work and advanced techniques, assisting the transition to minimally invasive techniques, and the development of endodontic and restorative dentistry. Diagnosis has also benefitted from advances in equipment such as patient-side digital radiography systems, high definition oroscopy, and small diameter flexible fibrescopes that are capable of visualising inside a pulp canal. Dental units combining endodontic high- and low-speed drills, suction and air or water flush are becoming increasingly used and adapted for equine use. Sedative combinations and standing anaesthesia protocols have meant that revisions of traditional techniques, as well as novel techniques, can be performed with almost no requirement for general anaesthesia. Equine dentistry can only continue to advance in this way if there is early identification of dental disease through clinical oral examinations, leading to a system based on prophylaxis, as in human dentistry. This necessitates a change in attitude of the public and industry in general to a proactive approach, with early intervention based on examination and diagnostic findings of practitioners and not necessarily based on the clinical signs displayed by the patient.

Dental and oral diseases in the domestic ferret have been reported, but comparison with their closest wild relative, the European polecat (Mustela putorius), is lacking. Dental and orofacial pathology was evaluated by means of visual examination and dental radiographical analysis of 234 museum skulls. Most of these (70.5%) originated from Austria and the remainder came from seven other European countries. Linguoverted mandibular second incisor teeth were noted in 77% of the skulls. There were 7,268 (91.4% of all potential) teeth available for examination. Few (0.3%) were presumed congenitally missing and 0.5% were presumed missing by acquired means. Supernumerary teeth were present in 2.6% of the skulls. Most (65.6%) of the maxillary first molar teeth were three rooted with the palatal root protruding into the orbit. Most (67.2%) of the mandibular first molar teeth were three rooted with the smaller third root being positioned in the furcation of the two larger roots. Thirty-one percent of the teeth were four rooted, with the smaller fourth root also being positioned in the furcation of the two largest roots. Attrition/abrasion was shown by 17.2% of the teeth in 47% of the skulls. Periodontitis was recognized in 57.6% of the teeth in 91.9% of the skulls and dental fractures were noted in 7.2% of the teeth in 62% of the skulls. Radiographical evidence of endodontic disease was found in 25% of the fractured teeth. Tooth resorption, in the form of external inflammatory resorption associated with endodontic disease, was found in 0.1% of teeth in 2.1% of skulls. Extrusion affected 44% of the canine teeth. Lesions consistent with infection by the helminth Troglotrema acutum were identified in 33.3% of the skulls. Oral and dental disease was significant and varied, often consistent with reports of the species domestic counterpart - the ferret. Comparison with other mustelids, notably the beech marten (Martes foina), showed both clear consistencies and discrepancies, dependent on the type of pathology., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dental disorders are one of the top-ranking clinical domains in equine practice. Scintigraphy has emerged as a useful diagnostic imaging modality for equine dental diseases. There is a paucity of the normal scintigraphic uptake and its correlation with age. This prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and pilot-designed study aimed to describe the radioisotope uptake (RU) patterns of the reserved crown and periodontal bone of the maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth (CT) in clinically sound horses and to evaluate the age effect on RU. For this purpose, 60 horses that underwent a bone scintigraphy for reason unrelated to head were included and divided equally into four age groups. Regions of interests (ROIs) were positioned around alveolar and periodontal bone of each maxillary and mandibular CT including their reserve crown, and a reference ROI positioned at the mandibular ramus. The count per pixel of each ROI was measured using a dedicated software and the RU ratio relative to the reference region was calculated. The results showed that the maxillary and mandibular CT had a standard RU pattern, where it increased from rostral to caudal, and peaked in the middle of dental arcades and decreased slightly towards the last CT. The maxillary CT had a higher RU compared with the mandibular CT, and there was no significant difference in the maxillary and mandibular CT uptake between age groups. This information may aid veterinarians evaluating potentially abnormal dental scintigraphy., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© British Veterinary Association 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of different oxygen supplementation methods on arterial blood gas analysis during an injectable anesthesia., Material and Methods: A total of 29 rabbits with dental diseases (tooth elongation) were sampled before, during and after coronal reduction. Oxygen was provided either via the flow-by method or with a nasal oxygen tube; the control group breathed room air., Results: All patients receiving oxygen developed respiratory acidosis that intensified during the course of anesthesia. Furthermore, these groups experienced reduced respiratory rates intraoperatively, nevertheless they showed elevated oxygen parameters (hyperoxemia) in the arterial blood gas analysis. No significant differences could be demonstrated between the 2 oxygen providing methods. In the control group, pH remained stable, the oxygen parameters however decreased to less than 80 mmHg (hypoxemia)., Conclusions: Although there were no clinical consequences of hypoxemia or hyperoxemia, moderate oxygen support during an injectable anesthesia is recommended due to the development of hypoxemia. A balance between oxygen supply and oversupply needs to be established to aid in avoiding oxygen toxicity., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objectives: To compare relative response of enamel, dentin and bone to developmental stressors between attritional and catastrophic mortality assemblages of pigs., Materials and Methods: Heads from 70 Sus scrofa of known sex, weight and age comprising an attritional sample of 50 sick pen (SP) pigs that died prematurely versus 20 control pigs slaughtered at 6 months (Catastrophic assemblage). Hard tissue changes (alveolar bone thinning), abnormal bone formation (Harris lines) and re-modeling (auditory bullae) were recorded. Areas and volumes of coronal enamel and dentin were recorded from microCT scans with Avizo 6.3 and Geomagic Wrap., Results: Attritional and catastrophic assemblages are metrically indistinguishable. Ages at death and tissue measures in the SP pigs are differentially distributed, necessitating partition into developmental outcome cohorts. SP "late death" pigs are of lesser physiological maturity than expected, free of disease, with large dental tissue dimensions, comparable to "Controls". SP "early death" pigs have 5% less dentin and enamel and chronic bone infection. Older cohorts of the SP "early deaths" mortality assemblage show progressively reduced enamel. SP pigs show dental evidence of reduced bone mass in the maxilla., Discussion: Bone, dentin and enamel tissues, each, respond distinctively to developmental stressors. Bone mass evinces malnutrition not disease. Both dental tissue reduction and abnormal bone formation link to chronic infection. Paradoxically, reduced dentin mass signals lower survivorship while reduced enamel signals enhanced survivorship. Meaningful comparison of Attritional and Catastrophic assemblages necessitates recognition of developmental outcome cohorts, stratified by age at death and physiological maturity, to reveal heterogeneity of survivorship, tissue measures and lesions., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A mature, adult female, offshore killer whale (Orcinus orca) was stranded deceased in Portage Bay, Alaska, in October 2015. Full necropsy examination with histopathology was performed. Consistent with previous studies of offshore killer whales, and thought to be a result of their unique elasmobranch diet, all the teeth were significantly abraded and almost flush with the gingival margin. Age was estimated at 30-35 years based on annuli and growth arrest lines in a remaining tooth. The dentate portion of the mandibles were excised en bloc and frozen until imaging could be completed. Radiography and computed tomography revealed lesions consistent with severe abrasion, pulp exposure and evidence of endodontic and/or periodontal disease in nine of the 15 mandibular teeth present (60.0%). Only five (33.3%) teeth were suspected to have been vital at the time of death based on imaging. Lesions were more severe rostrally, with the caudal teeth less affected. Autolysis precluded gingival histopathology and no teeth were analyzed histologically. Necropsy examination revealed a likely multifactorial cause of death, with most significant lesions including the severe chronic periodontal/endodontic disease with abrasion, inanition and emaciation with possible cardiovascular disease. This case highlights the importance of imaging in evaluating periodontal and endodontic status, especially post mortem when other tissues are no longer available, and demonstrates that periodontal and endodontic disease occur naturally in this species and can be a significant cause of morbidity in mature free-ranging killer whales of the offshore ecotype., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats outline a comprehensive approach to support companion animal practices in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline patients. The guidelines are an update of the 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. A photographically illustrated, 12-step protocol describes the essential steps in an oral health assessment, dental cleaning, and periodontal therapy. Recommendations are given for general anesthesia, pain management, facilities, and equipment necessary for safe and effective delivery of care. To promote the wellbeing of dogs and cats through decreasing the adverse effects and pain of periodontal disease, these guidelines emphasize the critical role of client education and effective, preventive oral healthcare.

Skull specimens from 836 kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria; 559 specimens were included in this study. The study group consisted of 248 (44.4%) females, 267 (47.8%) males and 44 (7.9%) specimens of unknown sex; 128 (22.9%) skulls were from young adults and 431 (77.1%) were from adults. Of the 23,478 possible teeth, 21,883 teeth (93.2%) were present for examination, 45 (1.9%) were absent congenitally, 405 (1.7%) were acquired losses and 1,145 (4.9%) were missing artefactually. No persistent deciduous teeth were observed. Eight (0.04%) supernumerary teeth were found in seven (1.3%) specimens and 13 (0.06%) teeth from 12 (2.1%) specimens were malformed. Root number variation was present in 20.3% (403/1,984) of the present maxillary and mandibular first premolar teeth. Eleven (2.0%) foxes had lesions consistent with enamel hypoplasia and 77 (13.8%) had fenestrations in the maxillary alveolar bone. Periodontitis and attrition/abrasion affected the majority of foxes (71.6% and 90.5%, respectively). Nine-hundred and fifty-eight (4.4%) teeth were fractured, a large proportion (41.8%) of which were characterized as complicated crown fractures. Sixty-six periapical lesions from 52 (9.3%) skulls were found. A considerable portion of foxes (5.9%) showed evidence of low-grade temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Overall, kit foxes share dental pathology similar to that of the grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs. However, no studies have investigated the attitudes, opinions and practices of dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses regarding dental health and preventative dental home care in dogs. The objective of this study was therefore to develop and validate questionnaires for this purpose, in accordance with survey methodology guidelines., Methods: Questionnaire items were determined based on the authors' academic knowledge and clinical experience, and modified throughout the validation process. Several measures were taken to reduce sampling, coverage, measurement and non-response errors. Content validity was assessed by Subject-Matter Experts (SME) and cognitive interviews were conducted in accordance with the "think-aloud protocol". Non-response analysis was performed using several methods., Results: Constructs were identified using exploratory factor analysis and two predefined constructs from the dog owner questionnaire were confirmed "Dog owners' attitudes towards brushing their dog's teeth" (Cronbach's α = 0.86) and "Dog owners' assessment of their dog's dental health" (α = 0.76). Additionally, exploratory factor analysis identified three potential constructs. In the veterinary health practitioner questionnaire, two constructs were identified: "Veterinary health practitioners' attitudes towards dental chews and dental feed" (α = 0.78) and "Veterinary health practitioners' attitudes and opinions on dental problems and dental cleaning" (α = 0.73). Non-response analysis showed a higher proportion of women in the sample of dog owners and veterinarians compared to the target populations. Veterinarians in the sample were also younger. In contrast, gender and age distributions in veterinary nurses did not differ between sample and target., Conclusion: The validation presented in this work showed that the developed questionnaires could be used as accurate and reliable tools for measuring attitudes and practices regarding dental home care in dogs among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Detailed clinical and radiographical descriptions of oral/dental pathology in the beech marten (Martes foina) are lacking. In the present study, skulls of M. foina from a museum collection (n = 109) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria and full-mouth dental radiographs were obtained. Occlusion was diagnosed as 'scissor bite' in 22.5% of evaluated skulls, 77% of evaluated skulls showed 'level bite' of incisors and 9.2% of evaluated skulls had 'open bites'. In three skulls, class III malocclusion was diagnosed. Linguoversion of the mandibular second incisor teeth was noted in all skulls. Of the maximum possible number of teeth (i.e. full set of teeth in each skull), 90.4% were available for examination, 6.4% were missing artifactually, 2.0% were absent presumably congenitally and in 1.2 % the absence was presumably acquired. In three skulls supernumerary teeth were noted, all being incisor teeth. In four skulls, unerupted maxillary canine teeth were noted and in one skull odontodysplasia of the maxillary canine teeth was diagnosed. All other teeth were considered normal in morphology. The number of roots per tooth varied in the mandibular second premolar, maxillary first molar and mandibular second molar teeth. The most common dental pathology was attrition/abrasion with 72 skulls (66%) and 857 teeth (24.1% of evaluated teeth) affected, followed by periodontal disease affecting 52 (47.7%) of skulls and 773 teeth (18.9% of evaluated teeth). Dental fractures were present in 49 (45%) skulls and 148 teeth (3.8% of evaluated teeth). Radiographically evident periapical lesions were detected in 11 (10.1%) skulls and 18 teeth (0.5% of evaluated teeth). Other rare abnormal findings included tooth resorption, enamel hypoplasia/hypocalcification, fenestrations at palatal root of maxillary first molar tooth and different bony changes., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of dental anomalies in brachycephalic cats from various geographic regions and analyze potential relationships with oral disease. DESIGN Prospective multicenter cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 50 purebred Persian (n = 42) and Exotic (8) cats. PROCEDURES Cats were anesthetized, and a complete dental examination, dental charting, 3-view oral photography, and full-mouth dental radiography were performed. RESULTS Malocclusions were observed in 36 (72%) cats. Crowding of the teeth was evident in 28 (56%) cats, with the incisors being most commonly affected. Malpositioned teeth were noted in 32 (64%) cats, with abnormal orientation being the most common anomaly followed by rotation and impaction. Numerical abnormalities were present in 38 (76%) cats, including 6 (12%) with hyperdontia and 32 (64%) with hypodontia. Periodontal disease was reported in 44 (88%) cats, and cats with periodontal disease were older than cats without. Tooth resorption was evident in 35 (70%) cats. Overall, 123 of 1,349 (8.7%) teeth had external inflammatory resorption and 82 (6.1%) had external replacement resorption. The premolar teeth were the teeth most commonly affected with inflammatory resorption, whereas the canine teeth were the teeth most commonly affected with replacement resorption. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that because of their brachycephaly, Persian and Exotic cats have unique oral and dental features that may predispose them to dental disease (eg, tooth resorption and periodontal disease). Knowledge of the particular dental anomalies common in brachycephalic cats could aid in early detection and mitigation of dental disease in these breeds.

Background: Diseased cheek teeth in horses often require invasive extraction techniques that carry a high rate of complications. Techniques and instrumentation were developed to perform partial crown removal to aid standing intraoral extraction of diseased cheek teeth in horses., Objectives: To analyse success rates and post-surgical complications in horses undergoing cheek teeth extraction assisted by partial crown removal., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Methods: This study included 165 horses with 194 diseased cheek teeth that were extracted orally assisted by partial crown removal between 2010 and 2016. Medical records were analysed, including case details, obtained radiographs, surgical reports and follow-up information. Follow-up information (≥2 months) was obtained for 151 horses (91.5%). There were 95 horses examined post-operatively by the authors and, 16 horses by the referring veterinarian; in 40 horses, post-operative follow up was obtained by informal telephone interviews with the owner., Results: Successful standing intraoral extraction of cheek teeth was obtained in 164/165 horses (99.4%). Twenty-five of these horses (15.2%) required additional intraoral extraction methods to complete the extraction, including minimally invasive transbuccal approach (n = 21) and tooth sectioning (n = 4). There was one (0.6%) horse with intraoral extraction failure that required standing repulsion to complete the extraction. The intraoperative complication of fractured root tips occurred in 11/165 horses (6.7%). Post-operative complications occurred in 6/165 horses (3.6%), including alveolar sequestra (n = 4), mild delay of alveolar healing at 2 months (n = 1), and development of a persistent draining tract secondary to a retained root tip (n = 1)., Main Limitations: Specialised instrumentation and additional training in the technique are recommended to perform partial crown removal in horses., Conclusion: Horses with cheek teeth extraction by partial crown removal have an excellent prognosis for a positive outcome. The term partial coronectomy is proposed for this technique., (© 2017 EVJ Ltd.)

Museum specimens from 637 grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria. Of the 637 specimens, 569 were included for further examination. The study population included more males (n = 261, 45.9%) than females (n = 196, 34.4%) and animals of unknown sex (n = 112, 19.7%). Additionally, 481 (84.5%) adults, 67 (11.8%) young adults and 21 (3.7%) individuals of unknown age comprised the study population, with juveniles and neonates excluded. The number of teeth present for examination was 23,066 (96.5%) with 624 (2.6%) absent artefactually, 15 (0.06%) absent congenitally and 193 (0.8%) lost ante mortem through acquired tooth loss. No persistent deciduous teeth or temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis were found in any of the specimens. Ten supernumerary teeth from nine (1.6%) specimens were encountered. Teeth with extra roots were found in 61 individuals (10.7%), with 0.4% of all teeth affected. Of the alveoli examined, 1,529 (6.4%) displayed bony changes suggestive of periodontitis, with 276 (48.7%) of individuals affected. Significantly more adults were affected by bony changes associated with stage 3 periodontitis than young adults. All specimens displaying stage 4 periodontitis were adults. Fractures affected 446 (78.4%) of the specimens examined and 3,554 (15.4%) of teeth present. Almost half (n = 10,856, 47.1%) of the teeth available for examination and most specimens (n = 487, 85.6%) displayed some degree of attrition or abrasion. Two individuals (0.4%) exhibited periapical lesions. Traumatic skull injuries affected 56 (9.8%) specimens. Characterizing the dental pathology in the grey fox provides key insight into the ecology of the species and factors contributing to fitness., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Equine maxillary cheek teeth apical infections are a significant disorder because of frequent spread of infection to the supporting bones. The accuracy of computed tomographic imaging (CT) of this disorder has not been fully assessed., Objectives: To compare the radiographic and CT findings in horses diagnosed with maxillary cheek teeth apical infections with pathological findings in the extracted teeth to assess the accuracy of these imaging techniques., Study Design: Observational clinical study., Methods: Thirty-two maxillary cheek teeth (in 29 horses) diagnosed with apical infections by clinical, radiographic and principally by CT examinations, were extracted orally. The extracted teeth were subjected to further CT, gross pathological and histological examinations. Four normal teeth extracted from a cadaver served as controls., Results: Pulpar and apical changes highly indicative of maxillary cheek teeth apical infection were present in all 32 teeth on CT, but in just 17/32 teeth (53%) radiographically. Gross pulpar/apical abnormalities and histological pulpar/periapical changes were present in 31/32 (97%) extracted teeth. On CT, one tooth contained small gas pockets in the apical aspect of one pulp and adjacent periodontal space, however no pathological changes were found following its extraction., Main Limitations: The study is descriptive and is confined to a small number of cases., Conclusion: This study showed a 97% agreement between CT diagnosis of maxillary cheek teeth apical infection and the presence of pathological changes in the extracted teeth, confirming the diagnostic accuracy of CT compared with radiography for this disorder., (© 2017 EVJ Ltd.)

During daily routine oral examinations in a research colony of nonhuman primates (NHPs, Macaca fascicularis), a variety of oral-dental lesions were identified. A dental care program was established based on these findings. Based on the presence of dental clinical signs and their severity, 31 animals were triaged to be examined and treated by a veterinarian. Clinical examination consisted of visual inspection using a periodontal probe/explorer and full or partial mouth dental radiographs. Treatment was performed during the same procedure. Some animals had a follow-up examination including radiographs months later. Four common dental diseases were diagnosed: periodontal disease, caries, tooth fracture, and tooth attrition. Less frequent were dental abscess, enamel hypomineralization, gingival hyperplasia, hypercementosis, tooth luxation, tooth dysplasia, root resorption, abrasion. Less severe periodontal disease was treated conservatively. If severely affected, teeth were extracted. Well-circumscribed caries without endodontic involvement were treated by composite restoration. Teeth with extensive caries and pulp involvement were extracted. Teeth with exposed pulp were treated via extraction or orthograde root canal treatment. In this case series, 27 (87%) of 31 NHPs exhibited at least 1 moderate to severe dental lesion that required treatment. The presumable improvement in welfare and weight of oral/dental lesions for the overall health status in research NHPs encourages us to continue this program prospectively.

Museum specimens (maxillae and mandibles) from 393 North American brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Alaska were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria and 204 specimens were included in this study. The specimens were acquired between 1905 and 2012. There were 99 specimens (48.5%) from male animals, 87 (42.7%) from female animals and 18 (8.8%) from animals of unknown sex. The ages of the animals ranged from neonate to adult, with 92 adults (45.1%) and 112 young adults (54.9%) included and neonates/juveniles excluded from the study. The number of teeth available for examination was 6,525 (76.2%); 8.6% of teeth were absent artefactually, 0.8% were deemed absent due to acquired tooth loss and 14.5% were absent congenitally. None of the brown bears had supernumerary teeth, persistent deciduous teeth or abnormally formed crowns. Only four of the specimens in the present population were affected by enamel hypoplasia and one specimen contained two mandibular fourth premolar teeth with one root instead of two. All 204 specimens displayed at least some degree of attrition/abrasion, affecting 63% of all teeth, ranging from mild wear of the enamel to deep abrasion associated with pulp exposure. Ten-times more adult than young adult specimens had abrasion causing pulp exposure, while more young adults showed mild attrition/abrasion. Dental fractures were noted in one-third of brown bears and in 3.0% of the total number of present teeth. More adult brown bears had dental fractures than young adults. There were 11 specimens (5.4%) that displayed overt periapical disease, affecting a total of 20 dental alveoli (0.22%), with adults significantly more affected than young adults. Some degree of periodontitis was seen in 145 specimens (71.1%), affecting 13.6% of all dental alveoli. Nearly one-third (29.9%) of skulls displayed skeletal and/or dental malocclusion, most commonly a level bite. Lesions consistent with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis were found in 27 specimens (13.2%). Caries lesions were discovered in four specimens (2.0%), affecting eight teeth in total. Although the clinical significance of dental and TMJ pathology in the brown bear remains elusive, the occurrence and severity of some of these lesions may play an important role in the morbidity of this species., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study proposes a simple standardized method for the production of analog X-ray images of dolphin teeth, and to explore its potential use as a complementary technique in the evaluation of dental pathology in small cetaceans. We investigated exposure times that produced the best results, and whether radiographs helped in the diagnosis of macroscopic abnormalities. Teeth of six species of dolphins (Delphinidae: Tursiops truncatus, Steno bredanensis, Sotalia guianensis, Delphinus sp., Stenella coeruleoalba, and Stenella frontalis) were X-rayed in an analog dental X-ray machine operating at 70 kVp and 7 mA. Intraoral size 2 standard films were used, and the focus-film distance was standardised at 35 cm. Those species with smaller teeth (total length 12-20 mm) had the best results when exposed for 0.3 seconds, while species with larger teeth (30-45 mm) had to be exposed for 0.4 seconds for their best result. Three independent examiners analysed all the images taken. The average pairwise percent agreement was 73% (Fleiss' Kappa = 0.229), suggesting fair agreement between examiners. Analog X-ray images produced were useful in complementing the diagnosis of dental pathology and abnormalities in dolphins, in addition to allowing the observation of internal details and lesion depths, which would not be possible with conventional macroscopic methods. The use of analog X-ray imaging is easily applicable to the study of dolphin teeth, with low operating costs and simple logistics compared to other non-destructive analytical approaches such as Micro-CT.

Reasons for Performing Study: Colic is an important health problem in managed horse populations. Currently, there is limited information about colic prevalence and risk factors for colic in working horse populations., Objectives: To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, colic in a working horse population in Egypt and to describe management practices in this working horse population., Study Design: Cross-sectional survey., Methods: Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed. Data about their horses, management and colic episodes in the preceding 12 months were collected. Dental examination was conducted on 342 horses and blood samples (n = 100) were collected for immunodiagnosis of tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata) infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for a history of colic in the preceding 12 months., Results: The 12-month prevalence of colic was 54.6%. Severe and moderate tapeworm infection intensity was identified in 3% and 26% of horses tested, respectively. Horses that had severe dental disease (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-24.3, P<0.001), that displayed stereotypic behaviour (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.15-3.5, P = 0.013), were fed ground corn during the 'dry season' (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.03-2.6, P = 0.035) or that had received an anthelmintic in the previous 6 months (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3, P = 0.003) were more likely to have a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. Horses fed on rice bran during the 'green season' (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.9, P = 0.015) and that displayed geophagia/coprophagia (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73, P = 0.001) were less likely to have a history of colic., Conclusions: Colic is common in this working horse population and this study has identified factors associated with altered likelihood of colic. The study provides important information that may be used to inform future prospective studies investigating colic in working horse populations and to assist development of preventive healthcare strategies. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information., (© 2016 EVJ Ltd.)

Maxillae and/or mandibles from 76 walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria. The museum specimens were acquired between 1932 and 2014. Forty-five specimens (59.2%) were from male animals, 29 (38.2%) from female animals and two (2.6%) from animals of unknown sex, with 58 adults (76.3%) and 18 young adults (23.7%) included in this study. The number of teeth available for examination was 830 (33.6%); 18.5% of teeth were absent artefactually, 3.3% were deemed to be absent due to acquired tooth loss and 44.5% were absent congenitally. The theoretical complete dental formula was confirmed to be I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/3, M 2/2, while the most probable dental formula is I 1/0, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 0/0; none of the specimens in this study possessed a full complement of theoretically possible teeth. The majority of teeth were normal in morphology; only five teeth (0.6% of available teeth) were malformed. Only one tooth had an aberrant number of roots and only one supernumerary tooth was encountered. No persistent deciduous teeth were found in any of the young adult or adult specimens, nor were any specimens affected by enamel hypoplasia. The majority of teeth (85.5%) displayed attrition/abrasion. Of the adult and young adult specimens, 90.8% showed some degree of attrition/abrasion on at least one tooth. Tooth fractures were noted in eight walruses, affecting 10.5% of specimens and 1.3% of the total number of teeth, nearly three-quarters of which were maxillary canine teeth (tusks). Three specimens (3.9%), all adult males, displayed overt periapical disease. The majority (99.2%) of dental alveoli did not have bony changes indicative of periodontitis, with only five specimens (6.6%) affected by periodontitis. Lesions consistent with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) were found in 46 specimens (60.5%) and TMJ-OA was significantly more common in adults than young adults and males than females. Although the clinical significance of dental and TMJ pathology in the walrus remains unknown, the occurrence and severity of these lesions may play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of this species., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Museum specimens (maxillae and/or mandibles) from 317 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were examined macroscopically according to predefined criteria and 249 specimens were included in this study. The specimens were acquired between 1906 and 2011. There were 126 specimens (50.6%) from male animals, 93 (37.3%) from female animals and 30 (12.1%) from animals of unknown sex. The ages of the animals ranged from neonate to adult, with 125 adults (50.2%) and 124 young adults (49.8%) included and neonates/juveniles excluded from the study. The number of teeth available for examination was 7,638 (73.5%); 12.3% of teeth were absent artefactually, 0.8% were deemed absent due to acquired tooth loss and 13.4% were absent congenitally. With respect to tooth morphology, 20 teeth (0.26% of available teeth) in 18 specimens (7.2% of available specimens) were small vestigial structures with crowns that were flush with the level of surrounding alveolar bone. One supernumerary tooth and one tooth with enamel hypoplasia were encountered. Persistent deciduous teeth and teeth with an aberrant number of roots were not found. Relatively few teeth (3.7%) displayed attrition/abrasion, 90% of which were the maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth, in 41 polar bears (16.5%). Nearly twice as many adult specimens exhibited attrition/abrasion as those from young adults; significantly more males were affected than females. Dental fractures were noted in 52 polar bears, affecting 20.9% of specimens and 1.3% of the total number of teeth present. More adult polar bears had dental fractures than young adults. There were 21 specimens (8.4%) that displayed overt periapical disease, affecting a total of 24 dental alveoli (0.23%). Some degree of periodontitis was seen in 199 specimens (79.9%); however, only 12.6% of dental alveoli had bony changes indicative of periodontitis. Lesions consistent with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) were found in 23 specimens (9.2%). TMJ-OA was significantly more common in adults than in young adults and in males than in females. Although the clinical significance of dental and TMJ pathology in the polar bear remains elusive, the occurrence and severity of these lesions may play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of this species., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Periodontal disease of equine cheek teeth is common and may lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Limited information is available comparing the effectiveness of treatment methods. The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare the effectiveness of 4 commonly used treatments in reducing periodontal pocket depth (in addition to routine dental treatment and occlusal equilibration). The 4 treatments compared were (1) removal of feed material, lavaging the pocket with dilute chlorhexidine, and then rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash (CL); (2) CL plus placement of metronidazole into the pocket (M); (3) M plus the addition of polyvinyl siloxane temporary filling over the diastema (PVS); and (4) diastema widening to increase the interdental space, then PVS (DW). Pocket measurements were compared before and 2 to 6 months after treatment. Treatment groups CL, M, and PVS showed statistically significant reductions in pocket depth following treatment. The mean pocket depth reduction was the greatest in the DW group (and this was the only group with no cases having an increase in pocket depth), but this was not significant due to the small sample size. Additional analysis to compare effectiveness revealed a confounding effect of initial pocket depth. After accounting for this, DW was associated with smaller improvements than the other treatments, however, this was also based on a small sample size. After accounting for confounders, differences between treatments CL, M and PVS were not found to be significant, although all were associated with statistically significant reductions in pocket depth.

Skulls from 277 California bobcats (Lynx rufus californicus) were examined macroscopically and by radiography. The majority of the skulls were from adult animals (79.8%). The skulls were from 128 male (46.2%) and 114 female (41.2%) animals and gender was unknown for the remainder. The majority (95.6%) of teeth were present for examination. Only 16 teeth were identified as absent congenitally and 15 of these were incisor teeth. Teeth with abnormal morphology were rare (0.5%). The two most common abnormalities were unusually large crowns of the maxillary first molar teeth and bigemination of the mandibular incisor teeth. Teeth with an abnormal number of roots were uncommon (n = 68). Sixty-three teeth had abnormal roots, mostly the presence of two roots instead of one for the maxillary first molar tooth. The most prevalent dental lesions found in the California bobcat were attrition/abrasion (85.2%), periodontitis (56.0%) and tooth fractures (50.9%). Less common dental lesions were endodontal disease (n = 114 teeth) and tooth resorption (n = 73 teeth)., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This article describes the dental eruption patterns, dentition, and dental wear, including tooth loss and breakage, of the free-ranging population of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago (CS), Puerto Rico, ranging from 24 hr to 25 years old. Of the 694 monkeys on the island in the year 1985, 688 (99.1%; 366 males, 322 females) were captured and the dentition of 685 subjects (98.7% of the total population; 366 males, 319 females) was examined. Animals ranged in age from less than 24 hr to 331 months (27.58 years), encompassing the entire life span of the CS macaques. Results demonstrated that the first deciduous teeth appeared as early as the third day of life and that the sequence of dental eruption was comparable to the pattern observed in laboratory rhesus. However, there were slight differences in the age of eruption of individual teeth. For example, the canines and third molars erupted about a year later in the CS macaques compared to some laboratory rhesus. Overall, CS rhesus had good oral health and dental condition although tooth wear, loss, and breakage were common in aged animals, especially in males. This report, combined with earlier studies on morphological characteristics and skeletal remains of the CS macaques, provides the basis for further studies on the biology, genetics, life history, and effects of the environment on rhesus monkeys., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Eight adult (six male and two female) wild Qinling giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) from China National Foping Nature Reserve were tracked, and their dental data collected and recorded from October 2010 to April 2014. Each panda had dental abnormalities of varying severity. Dental wear and fracture were the most common conditions. Absent teeth were common, with premolars missing most often. Mild caries were present in five molar teeth between two animals. Different degrees of dental plaque and calculus occurred in all animals but without severe periodontal disease. Two animals with severe dental abnormalities died due to intestinal problems. Large segments of bamboo were found in their intestinal tracts, and intestinal perforation and ulcers were evident, indicating dental abnormalities can be an important factor in the health of wild giant pandas and may lead to death. Further research with larger sample sizes of wild and captive giant pandas will be required to substantiate the relationship between dental abnormalities and mortality in giant pandas.

Dental care is an integral part of equine veterinary practice. The objectives of this cross sectional study were to describe the prevalence of dental disorders in an abattoir population of horses, and to compare oral examination of intact and bisected heads. Heads from 40 horses, 19 males and 21 females, were examined and divided into immature, adult or older horses based on dental age. Older horses had a significantly higher prevalence of infundibular caries (91.7%), diastemata (66.7%) and fractures (58.3%), whereas dental wear disorders affected all age groups. Gasterophilus spp. larvae were detected in 20% of the horses. A short oral examination performed on intact heads was adequate for diagnosing major disorders, but the occurrence of many conditions had only fair to poor agreement with the bisected heads. A more detailed oral examination may be needed for reliable diagnosis of many disorders., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dental ailments, mandibular swelling, and dentoalveolar abscesses are common in tapirs, but knowledge about prevalence or etiology of these lesions in the Tapiridae family in general, and in lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in particular, is scarce. A recent study identified resorptive lesions of unknown etiology as a common problem in the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). In order to investigate the type and prevalence of dental lesions occurring in lowland tapirs, and to compare these with findings with the Malayan tapir, skulls and teeth from 46 deceased lowland tapirs were visually and radiographically examined. The specimens were divided into subpopulations according to age (juveniles, young adults, adults) and origin (free-range or captive). Dental lesions were identified in 24% (11/46) of the study population. The most common pathologic findings were complicated dental fractures with associated periapical reaction (15%) and periapical reactions of various degrees without associated detectable dental pathology (13%). All these lesions likely originated from dental trauma. As in Malayan tapirs, juveniles had significantly fewer lesions than adults. This study shows that dental lesions present frequent problems for lowland tapirs, occurring both in captive and in free-ranging individuals, and indicates that increasing age should be considered a risk factor for the development of these lesions. Notably, the predominant dental problems in lowland tapirs and Malayan tapirs are not the same.

Objective: A cadaver study to estimate the prevalence of dental disorders in horses presented at an abattoir in Queensland, Australia., Methods: Cadaver heads at a Queensland abattoir were examined for the presence of dental abnormalities and categorised into age groups. The prevalence of abnormalities was analysed by binomial observation of observed proportion, Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact correlation test. Strength of association was evaluated using Cramer's V test., Results: Heads from horses (n=400) estimated to be between 1 and 30 years of age were placed into four age groups. The most common abnormalities were sharp enamel points (55.3%) and hooks (43%). The highest frequency of dental diseases and abnormalities were in horses 11-15 years old (97.5%)., Conclusions: Common abnormalities were found in all groups and the prevalence increased with age. This study suggests that all horses should have regular complete dental examinations to detect and treat dental disorders in order to limit more severe dental pathologies later in life., (© 2015 Australian Veterinary Association.)

The role of odontogenic infection as an etiology for lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis in dogs was evaluated. An association between odontogenic infection and inflammatory rhinitis was identified in 55% of cases evaluated. Odontogenic infection was unlikely or undetermined in 10% and 35% of the cases, respectively. Cases of lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis had roentgen signs associated with endodontic disease, periodontal disease, or retained tooth roots in 60%, 45%, and 25% of the cases, respectively. A collaborative team based approach assessing inflammatory nasal disease is recommended. Based on the history and signalment of the individual patient, diagnostic modalities should be chosen wisely. In some cases, oral examination and intraoral radiographs may be a more direct and cost effective approach for diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rhinitis.

Clinical Challenges: Anaesthesia for dental and oral procedures in cats can be challenging and many factors need to be taken into consideration. Often it is older patients requiring these procedures and, while old age itself is not a contraindication for general anaesthesia, older patients tend to have limited homeostatic reserves and are, therefore, more prone to anaesthesia-induced insults of vital organs. Most sedative and anaesthetic agents have cardiovascular side effects, which may result in detrimental consequences in older patients in which organ reserves are likely reduced., Aims: The need for good patient assessment and management during the entire perianaesthetic period cannot be overemphasised. This article describes how both anaesthetic protocol and intravenous fluid therapy should be tailored to the individual cat's needs. Application of a multimodal analgesic protocol (the combination of different analgesic agents) and a balanced anaesthetic technique incorporating local nerve blocks is highly recommended and a particular focus of the review. The use of local anaesthetic agents for the latter not only provides optimal pre-emptive analgesia, but also reduces the amount of anaesthetic agents needed to maintain an adequate level of anaesthesia and, therefore, limits their side effects. Other key aspects of perianaesthetic care of the feline dental and oral patient include airway protection, monitoring and maintenance of body temperature, eye protection, and analgesia extending well into the post-anaesthetic period., Evidence Base: The authors draw on their clinical experience and the referenced literature to provide a practical overview of this critical but often-overlooked aspect of feline dentistry., (© ISFM and AAFP 2015.)

Practical Relevance: Tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in small animal practice., Clinical Challenges: The clinician must be familiar with normal oral anatomy, utilize nomenclature accepted in dentistry and oral surgery, use the modified Triadan system for numbering teeth, identify normal structures on a dental radiograph, understand the tissues that hold the teeth in the jaws, know the biomechanical principles of tooth extraction, be able to choose the most appropriate instrument for removal of a tooth, extract teeth using closed and open techniques, and create tension-free flaps for closure of extraction sites., Audience: This review is intended to familiarize both the general and referral practitioner with feline oral anatomy and tooth extraction techniques., Patient Group: Tooth extraction is predominantly performed in cats with tooth resorption, chronic gingivostomatitis and periodontal disease., Equipment: The basic contents of a feline tooth extraction kit are explained., Evidence Base: The guidance contained within this review is based on a combination of the published literature, the authors' personal experience and the experience of colleagues., (© ISFM and AAFP 2014.)