Dental diseases of dogs: A retrospective study of radiological data

The purpose of the present study was to assess the number of pathological d ental changes and anomalies in dogs. The incidence of dental diseases was i nvestigated in radiologically examined 139 males dogs and 120 females dogs, aged seven months to 15 years. There were 235 purebred dogs and 24 mongrel s. The oral cavity was clinically examined and radiographed. The incidence and extent of oligodontia, periodontitis, dental fractures and rotations, p ersisting deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth were recorded. It has als o been established that 30% of dogs presented more than one anomaly. The in cidence of oligodontia equalled to 45.17%, peridontitis 44.40%, fracture 19 .30%, tooth rotation 11.59%, persisting deciduous teeth 5.40% and supernume rary teeth 3.86%. Our results have shown that incidence of dental changes a nd anomalies differed significantly between dogs of different age groups. T he highest incidence of oligodontia, tooth rotation, retained deciduous tee th and supernumerary teeth was observed in the youngest age group (p < 0.00 1), dental fracture in the mid-age group (p < 0.001) and peridontitis in th e mid-age and oldest age group (p < 0.001). Considering the hereditary natu re of the anomalies such as congenital oligodontia, tooth rotation and reta ined deciduous teeth, dog breeders should provide for a timely X-ray examin ation and, in case of these anomalies, exclude the affected dogs from furth er breeding.