Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders

Abstract

SummaryReasons for performing study: Dental disorders have a high prevalence in older donkeys and horses, but the nature and pathogenesis of many of these disorders have yet to be established. Objectives: The identification and determination of the prevalence of important dental disorders in different age groups in a large single population of donkeys, to establish a better understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of these disorders. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on the donkey population at The Donkey Sanctuary with detailed oral examinations of 357 donkeys within 7 different age groups (age range 2-53 years) recorded. Results: The prevalence of dental disease in all donkeys was 73%, increasing in prevalence from 28% in the youngest to 98% in the oldest age group. There was an increase in prevalence of commonly recognised dental disorders with increasing age, such as: diastemata (3.8% in youngest to 86% in oldest group); missing teeth (0-56%); overgrown teeth (15-86%); worn teeth (8-84%); displaced teeth (0-38%); and periodontal disease (0-28%). Conclusions: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of dental disorders with increasing age with the largest significant increase for most dental disorders occurring in the 15-20 year age group. Potential significance: Most dental disorders significantly increase in prevalence in the 15-20 year age group and, therefore, prophylactic geriatric dental treatment in donkeys should be commenced from age 15 years.

Prevalence of oro‐dental pathology in a working horse population in Egypt and its relation to equine health

“…In previous studies, the age of the animals was categorised using different cut-off points where younger age groups were shown to have a significantly lower prevalence of dental disorders. Sharp enamel points, however, were found to be significantly higher in donkeys aged 0-10 years old in one study [2] and cheek teeth fractures did not differ significantly among age groups in another study [1]. The current study has also demonstrated a significant linear effect of age on the prevalence of no/mild dental disease where increasing age was associated with a decreasing number of horses assigned to this category [14,18].…”

“…The effect of age on the prevalence of dental disorders has previously been reported [1,2,18,33,35]. In previous studies, the age of the animals was categorised using different cut-off points where younger age groups were shown to have a significantly lower prevalence of dental disorders.…”

“…Where oral examination could not be performed without sedation, horses were excluded from the study. A predesigned dental examination sheet including a checklist of dental disorders [2,24,25] was completed for each animal (Supplementary Item 1). Images were obtained for identified oro-dental disorders using a digital camera for review by one of the co-authors.…”

“…Oro-dental disease is common in equids particularly when routine dental care is not undertaken [1,2] and has been associated with poor body condition, weight loss [3] and increased risk of colic [4,5]. Compared with more visually obvious welfare issues such as lameness and wounds, equine oro-dental disease is a neglected welfare issue [6] and has received little mention in the welfare assessment schemes of working equids [7,8].…”

A comparison of the occurrence of common dental abnormalities in stabled and free-grazing horses

“…3. Smile mouth (SmM), an abnormality of the incisors whereby the occlusal surface of the incisors wears unevenly to a downwardly curved surface (Du Toit et al, 2009). The authors have, by extension, also included a dorsal curvature of the incisors in this category.…”