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Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders
Author(s) -
TOIT N.,
BURDEN F. A.,
DIXON P. M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516409x368912
Subject(s) - donkey , medicine , dentistry , population , age groups , prevalence , epidemiology , population study , demography , environmental health , biology , ecology , sociology
Summary Reasons 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.