A study of risk factors, clinical signs and radiographic findings in relation to dental diseases of domestic rabbits.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for dental disease especially malocclusion in rabbits. Association with clinical signs and radiographic findings was assessed in order to use as a tool for diagnosis. Materials and methods Data were collected from 100 healthy rabbits and 100 rabbits with dental diseases that attended a private animal hospital in Bangkok, Thailand during 2011-2014. Tooth grading, observing clinical signs, and radiographic examination were performed. Results This study showed that breed, sex, age and diet components were risk factors for dental diseases (p<0.05). Brachycephalic breeds were 3.19 times at risk of dental diseases compared to normal breeds. Male rabbits had a higher risk than female rabbits (OR=1.85) and rabbits fed grass less than 75% of all diets were at risk of the disease more than rabbits fed grass ad libitum (OR=103.5). Clinical examination showed that anorexia, incisor and cheek teeth elongation, hypersalivation, slobber, step mouth of mandible, deformity of skull and abscess were found in rabbits with dental diseases. Gastrointestinal syndrome, skin and respiratory tract diseases were also commonly present. The radiographic examination found crown and root elongation, curvature of tooth, loss of zigzag pattern, increasing of interdental space, and osteomyelitis. Conclusion Breed, sex, age and diet components were associated with dental diseases in rabbits. Brachycephalic breeds, male rabbits, and feeding grass less than 75% of all diets increased the risk of having dental diseases.