The Progressive Syndrome of Acquired Dental Disease in Rabbits

Dental disease is one of the most common reasons for pet rabbits to need veterinary treatment. The continual eruption and growth of the teeth predispose rabbits to dental problems. Any abnormality in the shape, position, or structure of the teeth interferes with normal wear and can lead to malocclusion and crowns that are no longer functional, and may grow into surrounding soft tissue causing pain and eating or grooming difficulties. Root elongation is a feature of dental disease in rabbits and can lead to a number of clinical problems such as epiphora, dacrocystitis, or abscesses. Repeated examination of rabbits with dental problems alongside skull radiography and visual examination of prepared skulls from affected cases has shown that the majority of rabbits with dental problems are suffering from progressive changes in the shape, structure, and position of the teeth. The nature of the abnormal dental changes suggests that underlying metabolic bone disease is a possible cause. This progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease can be staged. This article describes the clinical and pathological features of each stage of progressive syndrome of acquired dental disease and provides recommendations for the treatment of cheek teeth malocclusion.