Oral examination and radiographic evaluation of the dentition in wild cats from Namibia

• Published in: Journal of veterinary dentistry Vol. 26; no. 1; p. 16
• Main Authors: Roux, P, Berger, M, Stich, H, Schawalder, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Acinonyx - abnormalities; Alveolar Bone Loss - diagnostic imaging; Alveolar Bone Loss - veterinary; Animals; Anodontia - diagnostic imaging; Anodontia - veterinary; Felidae - abnormalities; Fused Teeth - diagnostic imaging; Fused Teeth - veterinary; Jaw Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Jaw Diseases - veterinary; Lions - abnormalities; Namibia; Panthera - abnormalities; Radiography; Root Resorption - diagnostic imaging; Root Resorption - veterinary; Tooth Abnormalities - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Abnormalities - veterinary; Tooth Discoloration - veterinary; Tooth Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Diseases - veterinary; Tooth Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Fractures - veterinary; Tooth Resorption - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Resorption - veterinary; Tooth Root - abnormalities; Tooth Root - diagnostic imaging; Tooth, Supernumerary - diagnostic imaging; Tooth, Supernumerary - veterinary
• ISSN: 0898-7564
• DOI: 10.1177/089875640902600106

Feline tooth resorption has been widely reported in domestic cats and sporadically described in other felidae. The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence of tooth resorption and to report other dental problems in a population of wild felidae. Observations of dental disorders and anomalies were made in skulls from 73 wild felidae (cheetahs, leopards, caracals, African wildcats, and lions) originating from Namibia. In addition, radiographs were taken in 43 cases to determine signs of bone and root pathology. Radiographs showed varying stages of tooth resorption in 16.0% of the specimens. Other dental anomalies found included fused teeth, supernumerary roots, or missing teeth. The prevalence of dental resorption in wild felidae was lower than reported in the domestic cat.