Post mortem survey of dental disorders in 349 donkeys from an aged population (2005-2006). Part 1: prevalence of specific dental disorders.
BACKGROUND
Donkey dental disorders are being recognised with increased frequency worldwide and have important welfare implications; however, no detailed investigations of dental disorders in donkeys appear to have been published.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of specified dental disorders in donkeys by performing a prospective post mortem study on donkeys that were subjected to euthanasia or died for other reasons at the Donkey Sanctuary, UK.


METHODS
Post mortem examinations were performed on 349 donkeys over an 18 month period, 2005-2006. The presence and extent of specified dental disorders were recorded and these data analysed to determine their prevalence and common locations.


RESULTS
A high prevalence (93%) of disorders was noted in the population with a median age of 31 years. In particular, cheek teeth diastemata (85% prevalence) were very common, often associated with advanced periodontal disease. Other disorders observed included missing teeth (in 55.6% of donkeys), displaced teeth (43%), worn teeth (34%), local overgrowths (15%), focal sharp overgrowths (3%) and dental-related soft tissue injuries (8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Aged donkeys have a high prevalence of significant dental disease, especially cheek teeth diastemata. These findings highlight the importance of routine dental examinations and prophylactic dental treatments to improve the dental health and welfare of donkeys.
Du Toit
N
N
Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Gallagher
J
J
Burden
F A
FA
Dixon
P M
PM
D000367:Age Factors; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D003813:Dentistry / Q000662:veterinary; D018397:Equidae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*