Comparative observation of skeletal-dental abnormalities in wild, domestic, and laboratory rabbits.

Dietary habits must be considered as one of the major potential factors resulting in acquired malocclusions in rabbits. Although the dentition of the wild rabbit and the domesticated laboratory rabbit are basically identical, dietary habits are noticeably different. Therefore, the prevalence of tooth problems between these lagomorph species were investigated anatomically and radiographically. Mean measurements of the skull and dental arches suggested that wild rabbits have slightly shorter and wider skulls and dental arches compared with domestic laboratory rabbits. Root elongation of incisors and check teeth, and periodontal disease were more frequently observed in domestic laboratory rabbits. Diagnostic radiographs from domestic pet rabbits showed relatively higher crowns, severe root elongation, and advanced periodontitis. These results do not provide definitive evidence that dietary habits cause malocclusions, however they suggest that diet is a major factor in the initiation of malocclusions in rabbits.

ALA-induced fluorescence in the canine oral cavity.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) could enhance the spectroscopic contrast between normal and diseased oral tissues, without prolonged photosensitivity. BACKGROUND DATA: ALA is a promising photosensitizing agent. METHODS: Adose of 25 mg/kg of ALA was administered intravenously to five dogs with gingivitis and three dogs with oral cancer, respectively. Fluorescence was recorded from the diseased sites in the oral cavity in addition to normal sites. RESULTS: ALA-induced proto-porphyrin IX fluorescence at all gingivitis sites reached a peak in 2-3 h and returned to baseline in 24 h. Fluorescence from the gingivitis site was observed earlier and was higher than the fluorescence from the normal site. For dogs with cancer, fluorescence from the cancerous sites occurred earlier in time compared to gingivitis sites and was comparatively higher in intensity. CONCLUSION: The fluorescence from the diseased sites was found to be higher than the normal site. Clinical and fluorescence data suggest that a dose of 25 mg/kg may be satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and would have minimal side effects.

Exotic placental carnivore dentistry.

Dentistry in exotic carnivores is becoming more common as their level of care is enhanced. These cases present many interesting challenges, but adaptation of currently accepted dental procedures, use of newly developed instrumentation, and educated improvisation can handle almost any situation that a practitioner might encounter. It must be kept in mind, however, that there are virtually no medications, medicaments, or drugs that are approved for treatment of the various exotic carnivores. Therefore, the treatments that are discussed in this article should all be considered as "off label" use, and be reviewed closely before being applied to patients.

Nonhuman primate dentistry.

Dental procedures in nonhuman exotic primates present many out of the ordinary problems that are related to variations of the teeth and oral cavity and serious zoonotic considerations and procedural time limitations. Most of these challenges can be met with appropriate knowledge, training, equipment, and rapidity and precision in performance. Unfortunately, alacrity generally comes from repetitive performance of procedures and entails a learning curve.