• Damage to ameloblasts (which form enamel) in utero upsets permanent incisor formation.
  • Enamel is marked by pits, lines etc.

In ruminants:

  • Damage to enamel formation most often caused by fluoride poisoning.
  • Seen in cattle grazing on pasture contaminated by cement works effluent.
  • Chalky mottling and yellow brown pitting of tooth.

In canines:

Enamal Hypoplasia Following a CDV infection (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))

Very severe systemic disease early in life / or in utero may result in severe discoloration or pitting of teeth due to effect on enamel formation. (e.g. distemper in dog)