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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Common dental disorders of the degu (Octodon degus)
1Degutopia, Milton Keynes, UK. Chloe@degutopia.co.uk
Abstract:
Dental disease is prevalent in the captive degu (Octodon degus), yet little has been documented on the variety of disorders in this species. In this internet-based study, dental cases presented over a 7-year period were collated, analyzed, and grouped. Of the 137 total cases, the most common dental disorder of the degu was found to be molar malocclusion (42.3 %). Other disorders documented included enamel decoloration (13.1%), molar elodontoma (8.0%), enamel hypoplasia (6.6%), incisor tooth fracture (6.6%), incisor malocclusion (3.6%), oral abscess (2.2%), and impacted molar teeth (0.7%). Details of each condition, pathogenesis, and clinical signs are described. Age was found not to be a significant predictor of dental disease in the degu.
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