Focal palatine erosion associated with dental malocclusion in captive cheetahs

Abstract

A severe palatine disorder caused by maloccluded molars was discovered in captive adult cheetahs at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This defect has been labeled focal palatine erosion (FPE). Subsequently, a total of 59 cheetahs from several institutions have been examined to evaluate the occurrence and etiology of this disorder. Maloccluded lower molars contacting the palatal mucosa appear to be the primary source of irritation. Infection develops when decaying food and grass particles become lodged in the resulting defect. Eventually, complete palatine perforation results which can extend into the nasal passages and eventually lead to systemic disorders. Of 59 cheetahs studied, 15 displayed various stages of FPE. Examination of 26 museum skull specimens revealed four cases of palatine perforation. These four were from a group of eight animals that were zoo raised. Focal palatine erosion appears to be a result of dietary factors. All cheetahs with FPE received a commercially prepared soft diet while in captivity. The lack of normal biting, tearing, and pulling action associated with natural prey capture and consumption could result in malocclusion caused by atrophy from disuse of the masticatory apparatus. Improper occlusion could also stem from insufficient wear or unsynchronized development of the opposing dental arches. All but two cases of FPE were found in cheetahs imported from a limited area in southwest Africa in 1970, or their offspring. Since molar size and jaw structure can be inherited, there may be genetic factors involved but more data are needed to support this idea. Treatment includes changing diet, reducing the height of the offending molar, controlling infection, eliminating irritants, and in some cases, surgical reconstruction.

Estudo das alterações ante-morte da cavidade oral de mãos-peladas (Procyon cancrivorus) de vida livre e de cativeiro

“…Outra hipótese a ser verificada é a possibilidade de transmissão genética dessas características, no caso de se tratar de um mesmo ramo familiar. Nisso concordam Fitch & Fagan (1982), que em estudo realizado com guepardos, levantaram a hipótese de que quase todos os casos de erosão palatina focal (FPE) descritos na espécie podem ter sido herdados, sugerindo fatores genéticos, uma vez que foram encontrados em animais importados de uma mesma área do sudoeste da África em 1970, ou dos seus descendentes. Com relação a traumas, Rossi Junior (2002, 2007) e Lopes (2008, inferem que a localização anatômica e o tamanho dos dentes podem predispor a diferentes forças durante sua utilização, levando a fraturas.…”

“…Quanto ao grau, as amostras derivadas de cativeiro apresentaram o dobro de ocorrência de coeficientes mais elevados, quando comparados com os de vida livre. Neste caso, concorda-se relato em literatura de que a etiologia da maioria das doenças orais está relacionada com características físicas de sua dieta e às mudanças químicas a que estas dietas induzem (Fitch & Fagan 1982). Erosão de esmalte foi encontrada em 24,72% dos mãos-peladas examinados e foi mais prevalente nos dentes incisivos e caninos, o que diferiu de Rossi Junior (2002), que relatou baixa incidência dessa lesão, afetando principalmente caninos e pré--molares.…”

“…Seus dentes são mais adaptados para mastigação de itens duros, como crustáceos e conchas de moluscos (Zeveloff 2002). A etiologia da maioria das doenças orais está relacionada com características físicas de sua dieta e às mudanças químicas a que estas dietas induzem (Fitch & Fagan 1982).…”

The importance of food presentation for animal welfare and conservation

“…The main physical health problem resulting from such diets is poor oral health. Fitch & Fagan (1982), in their survey, reported that 70 ?& of captive cheetahs fed on soft textured diets had developed focal palatine erosion. They found that this condition was caused by maloccluded dentition, resulting in tooth tips making contact with the soft palate each time the mouth was closed.…”

“…This has obvious implications for the re-introduction of captive carnivores. Fitch & Fagan (1982) noted that captive cheetah would not chew bones unless there was meat attached to them. Offering of bones or dog chews, therefore, is unlikely to alleviate such problems for certain species of zoo-housed carnivores.…”