Dental disease is prevalent in the captive degu (Octodon degus), yet little has been documented on the variety of disorders in this species. In this internet-based study, dental cases presented over a 7-year period were collated, analyzed, and grouped. Of the 137 total cases, the most common dental disorder of the degu was found to be molar malocclusion (42.3 %). Other disorders documented included enamel decoloration (13.1 %), molar elodontoma (8.0 %), enamel hypoplasia (6.6 %), incisor tooth fracture (6.6 %), incisor malocclusion (3.6 %), oral abscess (2.2 %), and impacted molar teeth (0.7 %). Details of each condition, pathogenesis, and clinical signs are described. Age was found not to be a significant predictor of dental disease in the degu.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
JeklVHauptmanK. Diseases in pet degus: A retrospective study in 300 animals. J Small Anim Pract2011; 52: 107–112.
BozinovicF. Nutritional energetics and digestive responses of an herbivorous rodent (Octodon degus) to different levels of dietary fiber. J Mammal1995; 76: 627–637.
4.
KenagyGNespoloR. Daily and seasonal limits of time and temperature to activity of degus. Rev Chil Hist Nat2002; 75: 567–581.
5.
BozinovicFGallardoPA. Seasonal acclimatization in water flux rate, urine osmolality and kidney water channels in free-living degus: Molecular mechanisms, physiological processes and ecological implications. J Exp Biol2003; 206: 2959–2966.
6.
GutiérrezJBozinovicF. Diet selection in captivity by a generalist herbivorous rodent (Octodon degus) from the Chilean coastal desert. J Arid Environ1998; 39: 601–607.
7.
CrossleyDAJacksonA. Use of computed tomography to investigate cheek tooth abnormalities in chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger). J Small Anim Pract1998; 39: 385–389.
8.
ReiterAM. Pathophysiology of dental disease in the rabbit, guinea pig, and chinchilla. J Exot Pet Med2008; 17: 70–77.
9.
FrahnertS. Morphology of the Glires ancestral rostral cranium and its implications for the monophyly of this clade. Mit Zool Mus Berl1999; 75: 229–246.
10.
WoodAE. The evolution of the old world and new world hystricomorphs. Symp Zool Soc Lond1974; 34: 21–60. In: RowlandsI.W.WeirB.J., eds. The Biology of Hystricomorph Rodents. London: Academic Press, 1974.
11.
FinchamAGSimmerJP. Amelogenin proteins of developing dental enamel. In: ChadwickD.J.CardewG., eds. Ciba Foundation Symposium 205- Dental Enamel. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2007; doi: 10.1002/9780470515303.ch9.
12.
PfretzschnerHU. Structural reinforcement and crack propagation in enamel. Mém Mus Natl Hist Nat Paris C1988; 53: 133–143.
EbenspergerLBozinovicF. Energetics and burrowing behaviour in the semifossorial degu Octodon degus (Rodentia: Octodontidae). J Zool2000; 252: 179–186.
15.
BooleG. An investigation of the laws of thought, on which are founded the mathematical theories of logic and probabilities. London: Walton and Maberly, 1854.
16.
HarveySBAlworthLC. Molar malocclusions in the pine vole (Microtus pinetorum). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci2009; 48: 412–415.
17.
RichardsonVCG. Diseases of small domestic rodents (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2003; 75–90.
18.
JeklVKrejcirovaL. Effect of high phosphorous diet on tooth microstructure of rodent incisors. Bone201149:479–84.
JeklVHauptmanK. Elodontoma in a degu (Octodon degus). J Exot Pet Med2008; 17: 216–220.
21.
SlootwegPJKuijpersMHM. Rat odontogenic tumors associated with disturbed tooth eruption. J Oral Pathol Med1996; 25: 481–483.
22.
SarnatBGSchourI. Enamel hypoplasia (chronological enamel aplasia) in relation to systemic disease: A chronologic, morphologic and etiologic classification. J Am Dent Assoc1940; 29: 67–75.
23.
WattsAAddyM. Tooth discolouration and staining; A review of the literature. Br Dent J2001; 190: 309–316.
24.
WolffJEdwardsM. Mystery of epizootic oral tumors in spring chinook salmon. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop2002; 1–7.
25.
CapelloV. Diagnosis and treatment of dental disease in pet rodents. J Exot Pet Med2008; 17: 114–123.
LegendreLFJ. Oral disorders of exotic rodents. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract2003; 6: 601–628.
28.
VerstraeteFJM. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of small exotic mammal dental disease. Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med2003; 12: 37–48.
29.
HiragaTNinomiyaT. Administration of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid during tooth development inhibits tooth eruption and formation and induces dental abnormalities in rats. Calcif Tissue Int. 2010; 86: 502–510.
30.
WiggsRBLobpriseHB. Oral Anatomy and Physiology. In: WiggsRBLobpriseHB, eds. Veterinary Dentistry Principles and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997.
31.
HalseA. Electron microprobe analysis of iron content of incisor enamel in some species of rodentia. Arch Oral Biol1974; 19: 7–11.
32.
YanagawaTItohK., Nrf2 deficiency causes tooth decolorization due to iron transport disorder in enamel organ. Genes Cells2004; 9: 641–651.
33.
SelvigKAHalseA. The ultrastructural localization of iron in rat incisor enamel. Scand J Dent Res1975; 83: 88–95.
34.
BlountJDMetcalfeNB. Carotenoid modulation of immune function and sexual attractiveness in zebra finches. Science2003; 300: 125–127.
35.
SchourIHoffmanMM. Changes in the incisor teeth of albino rats with vitamin A deficiency and the effects of replacement therapy. Am J Pathol1941; 17: 529–562.
36.
BatesCJCowenTD. Growth, ascorbic acid and iron contents of tissues of young guinea pigs whose dams received high or low levels of dietary ascorbic acid or Fe during pregnancy or suckling. Br J Nutr1988; 60: 487–497.
37.
LevyBA. Effects of experimental trauma on developing first molar teeth in rats. J Dent Res1968; 47: 323–327.
38.
BoylePE. The effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on enamel formation in the teeth of guinea pigs. Am J Pathol1938; 14: 843–848.
