Part B: Ferrets

Abstract

Ferrets belong to the family Mustelidae and are obligate carnivores with reduced teeth number and size. Patient positioning and the angulation of the x-ray beam are very important, as the head and teeth of ferrets are relatively small. Without a clear understanding of the normal structures, interpretation of radiographs of the maxillary teeth can be difficult due to the superimposition of other bony structures of the skull. The maxillary canine tooth is the largest and longest tooth in the jaw. Dental diseases in ferrets include congenital/ hereditary diseases, fractured teeth, dental abrasion, dental caries, periodontal disease, endodontic infection, and neoplasia. Kibble-mediated dental damage exacerbates, contributes to, or is the direct cause of multiple dental pathologies, including teeth worn into the pulp cavity, fractures due to biomechanical stress on worn teeth, avulsed teeth, and abscesses. Periodontal disease is one of the most commonly encountered diseases in pet ferrets.