Dental Diseases in Dogs: A Retrospective Study of Radiological Data

Abstract

Butkovic V., M. ·impraga, M. ·ehic, D. Stanin, V. Su‰ic, D. Capak, J. Kos: Dental Diseases of Dogs: a Retrospective Study of Radiological Data. Acta Vet. Brno 2001, 70: 203-208. The purpose of the present study was to assess the number of pathological dental changes and anomalies in dogs. The incidence of dental diseases was investigated in radiologically examined 139 males dogs and 120 females dogs, aged seven months to 15 years. There were 235 purebred dogs and 24 mongrels. The oral cavity was clinically examined and radiographed. The incidence and extent of oligodontia, periodontitis, dental fractures and rotations, persisting deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth were recorded. It has also been established that 30% of dogs presented more than one anomaly. The incidence of oligodontia equalled to 45.17%, peridontitis 44.40%, fracture 19.30%, tooth rotation 11.59%, persisting deciduous teeth 5.40% and supernumerary teeth 3.86%. Our results have shown that incidence of dental changes and anomalies differed significantly between dogs of different age groups. The highest incidence of oligodontia, tooth rotation, retained deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth was observed in the youngest age group (p < 0.001), dental fracture in the mid-age group (p < 0.001) and peridontitis in the mid-age and oldest age group (p < 0.001). Considering the hereditary nature of the anomalies such as congenital oligodontia, tooth rotation and retained deciduous teeth, dog breeders should provide for a timely X-ray examination and, in case of these anomalies, exclude the affected dogs from further breeding.