Comparison of Radiography and CT to Identify Changes in the Skulls of Four Rabbits with Dental Disease

Abstract

Four domestic pet rabbits with dental pathology were presented at a university clinic. In addition to conducting physical examinations of the rabbits, radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) images of the rabbits' heads were obtained. Three rabbits were euthanized at the owners' request, and anatomic sections of the skulls were made. The observations of the anatomic sections, radiographs, and CT images are described. The abnormalities found on the radiographs and CT images were very similar to the findings on the anatomic sections. Compared to radiography, the CT images provided more details about the extent of the dental pathology, which is likely to be important for establishing a more precise prognosis and a more informed decision making process.

Growth and wear of incisor and cheek teeth in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed diets of different abrasiveness

“…Rabbits are attractive model animals to study tooth wear and growth because they are natural herbivores accepting a variety of feeds, and are comparatively easy to maintain. Furthermore they have continuously growing incisors and cheek teeth, which can be manipulated for macroscopic inspection as well as for computed tomography (CT), and their dental health has been studied extensively in the veterinary literature (Meredith, 2007;Capello and Cauduro, 2008;Van Caelenberg et al, 2010;Van Caelenberg et al, 2011;Jekl and Redrobe, 2013). Dental problems are one of the most important conditions for presenting pet rabbits to veterinary clinics, with frequencies for dental disease in rabbits ranging from 6.7% (Mosallanejad et al, 2010), to 14% (Langenecker et al, 2009), 30% (Mullan and Main, 2006), and even 38.1% (Jekl et al, 2008).…”

The role of computed tomography in the assessment of dental disease in 66 guinea pigs

“…However, even intraoral examination under general anaesthesia may not permit full evaluation of the underlying cause for dental disease, inevitably requiring diagnostic imaging procedures such as dental radiography or CT. The advantages of CT include its ability to visualise the entire dentition, its surrounding structures such as periodontal tissues and alveolar bone, and soft and hard ­tissues associated with mastication (Van Caelenberg and others 2011). CT also allows for assessment of the head without superimposition and it takes less time than that required for positioning the animal for full-mouth dental radiographs (Chesney 1998, Crossley and others 1998, Brenner and others 2005, Capello and Cauduro 2008, Mackey and others 2008).…”

Characteristics of bone fractures and usefulness of micro–computed tomography for fracture detection in rabbits: 210 cases (2007–2013)

“…Computed tomography can be used to obtain more detailed imaging information for fracture evaluation in dogs and cats. [7][8][9] Micro-CT involves use of a microfocal source (range in slice thickness, 30 to 150 µm), and 2-D or 3-D spatial resolution is possible independent of patient body position. 5,6 However, CT cannot be used to detect small orthopedic lesions in smaller companion animal species such as rodents and rabbits, and the need for anesthesia to keep patients motionless during the scanning process makes CT even less suitable for these species.…”