Cats
Maine coon and oriental breed cats can be particularly susceptible to periodontal disease ( Milella , 2012 ). Cats of any breed that are over 4 years old are at risk of feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions ( FORLs ), with as many as 29 % of all cats found to have them ( Milella , 2020b ). These require a radiographic assessment to determine the level of root resorption to reduce the amount of iatrogenic damage the veterinary surgeon may cause searching for non-existent root remnants during extractions ( Bloor , 2006 ). FORLs are classified as Type 1 or Type 2 . Type 1 FORLs present with significant inflammation at the gingival margin and have lesions at the neck of the tooth . The root remains unchanged radiographically , while the neck and crown are radiolucent , with some resorption at the furcation and alveolar bone . Type 2 FORLs present with very little gingivitis , sometimes with discoloration of the crown , and the radiography shows lamina , root structure and periodontal ligament loss , with the root density equal to that of the surrounding bone ( Milella , 2020b ). Removal of teeth affected by either of these lesions is recommended as this is a progressive and painful condition . Type 1 FORLs require the removal of the whole tooth including the root , whereas in the case of Type 2 FORLs without endodontic disease or periodontitis , crown amputation is acceptable ( Milella , 2020b ).
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is an excessive inflammatory response to the presence of plaque and often extends beyond the mucogingival junction into the tissues of the entirety of the oral cavity . In these cases , full-mouth extractions are recommended ( Milella , 2020b ).
Rabbits
Dental disease in rabbits can be congenital or acquired ( Druce , 2015 ). Rabbit breeds predisposed to congenital dental malocclusion , a precursor of dental disease in rabbits , include the lionhead and Netherland dwarf breeds , as well as other similarly short-faced breeds ( HPC , 2021 ; PDSA , 2021 ; RWAF , 2021 ; VCA , 2021 ).
Acquired dental disease , including malocclusion , causes teeth to be worn insufficiently or unevenly and is a progressive condition ( Lord , 2012 ; Druce , 2015 ). Reduced appetite , bruxism ( teeth grinding ), salivation , hair loss on the face , epiphora ( excessive tear production ), weight loss , gut stasis , nasal discharge , reduced coat condition , abscesses and reduced faecal output are all indicators of rabbit dental disease ( Druce , 2015 ; Lord , 2012 ). Diet , genetics , trauma and infection are all causative factors in rabbit dental disease ( Lord , 2012 ). The duration of time spent grazing and the abrasiveness of the diet are all factors in the sufficient wearing of healthy rabbit teeth . Offering a diet composed of 80 % high-quality grazing of grass or hay ( Speight , 2017 ), small volumes of commercial pellets and some fresh leafy green vegetables increases the time spent on chewing in a natural , figure-of-eight motion , wearing down teeth in a more uniform fashion ( Druce , 2015 ). Avoiding muesli diets limits the animal ’ s ability to selectively feed ( Lord , 2012 ). For rabbits unaccustomed to hay or reluctant to eat it in large volumes , a variety of hay types and methods should be offered . Rye , timothy , fescue , cocksfoot and meadow grass are all suitable for adult rabbits , and hay can be offered in large trays for foraging , in raised racks , bowls or containers , or stuffed into tubes to provide enrichment and interest ( Speight , 2017 ).
36 Veterinary Nursing Journal