Dental malocclusion and associated factors in pet rabbits: a cross-sectional study in Peru (2021-2022)

To identify some of the risk factors for dental malocclusion and examine associations between diet, age and sex and the frequency of dental malocclusion in a convenience sample of pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Lima, Peru, during the period 2021-2022.

A cross-sectional study of clinical records of 308 rabbits at a private veterinary clinic in Lima, Peru from May 2021 to May 2022 was undertaken. The χ² test was used to determine the unadjusted associations between variables and the diagnosis of dental malocclusion. Crude prevalence ratios (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using a generalised linear model with a Poisson distribution.

The frequency of dental malocclusion in the sample was 75/308 (24.4%). The aPR for dental malocclusion for males was 1.80 (95% CI = 1.10-2.95) times higher compared to females, 1.94 (95% CI = 1.13-3.34) times higher for rabbits > 5 years old (seniors) compared to rabbits < 1 year old (juveniles) and 0.37 (95% CI = 0.25-0.54) times lower for a diet with hay compared to a diet without hay.

Our data and model suggest that senior, male rabbits on a diet without hay would have a higher frequency of malocclusion than female, juvenile rabbits on a diet including hay. After adjusting for age and sex, hay in the diet decreased the occurrence of dental malocclusion.

Our results contribute to the limited studies about the dental health of pet rabbits and may be a source of information for veterinarians and pet owners who seek optimal pet health and welfare.