Small Mammals Q&A 02
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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Small Mammals questions |
A five-year-old pet rabbit is losing weight and having difficulty with prehension and chewing. Signs were first noticed several months ago and the rabbit’s condition has been deteriorating. The rabbit is emaciated and has an abnormality of the incisor dentition and a palpable irregularity of the ventral border of the mandible.
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| What is the likely cause of the abnormality? | Obliquely worn incisor teeth may be due to functional disturbances, occlusal problems or uneven tooth growth. The most likely cause of this degree of oblique wear is uneven tooth regrowth following trauma.
The rabbit was dropped approximately one year previously, fracturing both upper first incisor and left lower incisor teeth above the gingiva. The right lower incisor was not trimmed until the fractured teeth had regrown resulting in abnormal occlusion. The right upper first incisor was also growing back at an abnormal angle, thus exacerbating the situation. |
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| How would you manage it? | In cases showing a mild degree of oblique incisor wear, an abnormal chewing action, such as that caused by a unilateral cheek tooth problem, should be suspected. To prevent this problem, trim the incisors every two to four weeks to allow proper tooth alignment as they regrow.
In addition, perform a complete physical examination, including visualization of the molars, with each visit. In cases where the incisors fail to grow back into occlusion, extraction is a viable option provided that the cheek teeth are healthy. The alternative is regular trimming of the incisor teeth, preferably using a dental burr, at four to six week intervals for the remainder of the life of the rabbit. |
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