Surgical Treatment of Facial Abscesses and Facial Surgery in Pet Rabbits.

Odontogenic facial abscesses associated with periapical infections and osteomyelitis of the jaw represent an important part of the acquired and progressive dental disease syndrome in pet rabbits. Complications such as retromasseteric and retrobulbar abscesses, extensive osteomyelitis of the mandible, and empyemas of the skull are possible sequelae. Standard and advanced diagnostic imaging should be pursued to make a detailed and proper diagnosis, and plan the most effective surgical treatment. This article reviews the surgical anatomy, the pathophysiology, and the classification of abscesses and empyemas of the mandible, the maxilla, and the skull. It also discusses surgical techniques for facial abscesses.

Diagnostic Imaging of Dental Disease in Pet Rabbits and Rodents.

Diagnostic imaging techniques are of paramount importance for dentistry and oral disorders of rabbits, rodents, and other exotic companion mammals. Aside from standard radiography, stomatoscopy is a complementary tool allowing a thorough and detailed inspection of the oral cavity. Computed tomography (CT) generates multiple 2-dimensional views and 3-dimensional reconstructions providing superior diagnostic accuracy also useful for prognosis and treatment of advanced dental disease and its related complications. MRI is a diagnostic imaging technique additional to CT used primarily to enhance soft tissues, including complex odontogenic abscesses.

Anatomy and Disorders of the Oral Cavity of Rat-like and Squirrel-like Rodents.

The order Rodentia comprises more than 2000 species divided into 3 groups based on anatomic and functional differences of the masseter muscle. Myomorph and sciuromorph species have elodont incisors and anelodont cheek teeth, unlike hystrichomorph species which have full anelodont dentition. Diseases of incisors and cheek teeth of rat-like and squirrel-like rodents result in a wide variety of symptoms and clinical signs. Appropriate diagnostic testing and imaging techniques are required to obtain a definitive diagnosis, formulate a prognosis, and develop a treatment plan. A thorough review of elodontoma, odontoma, and pseudo-odontoma is provided, including treatment of pseudo-odontomas in prairie dogs.

Intraoral Treatment of Dental Disease in Pet Rabbits.

The intraoral treatment of dental disease in pet rabbits follows a complete clinical examination, intraoral inspection under general anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging. It also implies thorough knowledge of dental disease in this species. The most common intraoral procedures are extraction of incisor teeth, coronal reduction, and extraction of cheek teeth. These dental procedures require specific instruments and equipment. They should be performed in conjunction with supportive and medical treatment followed by appropriate nutrition.

Elodontoma in Two Guinea Pigs.

Elodontoma was diagnosed in two pet guinea pigs, one involving a maxillary premolar tooth and the other affecting a mandibular incisor tooth. Diagnostic imaging, including radiographs, computed tomography, and oral endoscopy was performed in order to quantify dental disease. Diagnostic imaging was also used to guide treatment of acquired dental disease, which included intraoral restoration of normal occlusal plane and tooth extraction using an extraoral approach. These are the first histologically confirmed cases of elodontoma in guinea pigs.

Diagnostic imaging of the respiratory system in exotic companion mammals.

The level of care for smaller companion mammals has increased significantly during the past few years. Today, exotic companion mammals are acknowledged as a specific area of zoologic medicine. Owner demands for a higher level of care is increasing dramatically. Because most of these patients are small (less than 2 kg), this represents a great challenge, in particular for the field of diagnostic imaging. This article reviews the 5 main diagnostic imaging modalities currently available for investigation of the respiratory system of exotic companion mammals: radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.