Obstructive Respiratory Disease in Prairie Dogs with Odontomas

Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice

“…1 In compound odontomas, toothlike structures are grossly evident, whereas complex odontomas bear little resemblance to teeth. 2,7 Affected prairie dogs often have some degree of dyspnea and dysphagia, 2,7 and clinical signs in the squirrel described in the present report were similar to those reported for prairie dogs. 1,[3][4][5][6] In mice, rabbits, chinchillas, and guinea pigs, odontomas are typically associated with the apices of the premolar and molar teeth, whereas in prairie dogs, odontomas can form near the apices of the incisor teeth and grow to obstruct the nasal cavity.…”

Odontoma-like Tumours of Squirrel Elodont Incisors—Elodontomas

“…In the case of odontomas, the tumour may consist of either multiple, small tooth-like structures (compound odontoma) or a conglomerate mass of odontogenic hard and soft tissue (complex odontoma) (Neville et al, 2002;Head et al, 2003). Odontomas have been diagnosed in mice (Ida-Yonemochi et al, 2002), dogs (Eickhoff et al, 2002;Felizzola et al, 2003;Papadimitriou et al, 2005), prairie dogs (Phalen et al, 2000), horses (DeBowes and Gaughan, 1998), cows (Tetens et al, 1995) and in an elephant (Raubenheimer et al, 1989). The so-called "odontogenic dysplasia in ageing rodents and lagomorphs" is defined as the disorganized development of the continuously erupting incisor teeth of rodents and lagomorphs, due to inflammation, trauma, toxicosis or age (Head et al, 2003).…”

“…Trauma with damage to surrounding bone caused by chewing on cage bars or falling from a height has been proposed as a cause of odontomas in prairie dogs (Phalen et al, 2000). Traumatic intrusion of the elodont incisor on impact or even local infection in the vicinity of the apical bud might theoretically cause damage to the continuously developing odontogenic tissue and its follicle, as well as to the surrounding alveolar bone.…”

Original Rhinostomy Technique for the Treatment of Pseudo-odontoma in a Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

“…Pseudo-odontoma is the main cause of upper respiratory distress in prairie dogs, [3][4][5] and it has been reported in patients aged between 2 and 6 years. 4 Mandibular incisor pseudo-odontomas have also been reported in prairie dogs but do not cause respiratory compromise.…”

“…4 The etiopathogenesis of pseudo-odontoma in prairie dogs is unknown; however, it is theorized that repeated trauma (e.g., chewing on the bars on the cage) may predispose these animals to the development of this condition. [2][3][4][5][6] Clinical examination of an affected patient often shows respiratory distress, possible incisor malocclusion, and/or 2 protrusions in the hard palate corresponding to deformations of the intermaxillary bone. 4,6,7 Diagnosis of pseudo-odontoma requires radiographs and/or computed tomography.…”