Computed tomographic findings of dental disease in domestic rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus): 100 cases (2009-2017).

To characterize the C T findings and epidem iological features o f acquired dental disease in rabbits. ANIMALS 100 client-ow ned rabbits ( O ry c to la g u s c u n ic u lu s ). PROCEDURES Medical records w ere searched to identify rabbits th a t underw ent skull C T fo r any reason from 2009 to 2017. H istory, signalment, and physical exam ination findings w ere recorded. The C T images w ere reevaluated re trospectively fo r evidence o f dental disease and graded according to a previously described system (from I [no evidence o f disease] to 5 [severe dental disease]) fo r acquired dental disease in rabbits, and an overall (mean) grade was assigned. D escriptive analyses w ere perform ed. Factors w ere assessed fo r associations between dental disease grade and malocclusion stage. RESULTS C om m on findings included prem olar o r m olar to o th curvature in transverse (n = 100 rabbits) and sagittal (95) planes, apical elongation o f p re ­ m olar o r m olar teeth (99), sharp dental points (93), deform ation o f the m andibular canal (82), and periodontal ligament space widening (76). A cquired dental disease was classified as grade I (n = 2 rabbits), 2 (60), 3 (14), 4 (4), o r 5 (20). M ost C T findings w ere significantly correlated w ith each other. A greem ent o f grades was fair between left- and right-sided quadrants and between m axillary and mandibular quadrants. Age was associated w ith increasing dental disease grade and malocclusion stage (p ro p o rtio n a l ORs, 1.21 and 1.32/y, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fair agreement in disease grades between dental quadrant pairs indicated a degree o f asynchrony in the developm ent o f dental disease. Findings suggested prem olar o r m olar to o th curvature in a sagittal plane, subtle elongation at prem olar o r m olar to o th apices, and mandibular canal deform ation should be added to the grading system. (J A m V e t M e d A sso c 2020;257:313-327) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]