Dentistry in Rabbits and Rodents

Description

Dentistry in Rabbits and Rodents is a practical guide aimed at helping clinicians successfully diagnose and treat dental problems in rabbits and rodents within their own surgeries. With over two-thirds of small mammals presenting with tooth related problems, there is great potential to enhance the treatment offered to the owners of these species. Focusing on innovative diagnostics using normal radiographic machines as well as specific positioning techniques, radiographs are presented with reference lines and detailed annotations. Richly illustrated with high quality photographs, pathological findings are described before selection of appropriate therapy and treatment is discussed.

Key features include:

• Covers the dental anatomy and physiology of all small mammal species commonly kept as pets.
• Intraoral radiography and innovative positioning for imaging the guinea pig and chinchilla dentitions are described, enabling the practitioner to visualize each tooth in detail.
• Once a diagnosis has been reached, selection of different treatments and the advantages and disadvantages of each surgical technique are discussed.
• Offers helpful directives for approaching and treating dental disease without the need for referral to a specialist or the use of expensive equipment.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface

1 Dental Treatment of Small Mammals – Development and Aims, 1
2 Basics of Odontology, 5
3 Classification and Anatomical Characteristics of the Lagomorphs and Rodents, 21
4 Clinical Examination, 35
5 Radiographic Examination, 49
6 Computed Tomography, 88
7 Anesthesia and Analgesia, 90
8 Instruments for Examination and Treatment, 107
9 Diseases of the Incisors, 118
10 Changes of the Cheek Teeth, 153
11 Abscesses, 213
12 Periodontal Diseases and Caries, 242
13 Other Changes of the Jaw, 254
14 Follow-up and Prognosis, 260
15 Appendix, 267

References, 270
Further Reading, 276
Index, 280

Author

Dr Estella Böhmer, DVM, Dr. med. vet. is Senior Physician at the Clinic of Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany, and head of the department for small mammal surgery. She is an official consultant on small mammals for the Veterinary Information Network. She also lectures on small mammal dentistry seminars in Germany.