






































Type of the Paper (Article


 

  

 

 
Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 http://clujveterinaryjournal.ro 

Article 

Clinical and radiologic diagnosis in dental disease in pet rabbits  

Tamara Titanilla Kiss-Pruteanu1*, Lucia Bel1, Cosmina Dejescu1, R. Lăcătuș1, R.C. Purdoiu1, Mariana Tătaru1, S.M. 
Mârza1, I. Papuc1* 

1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372, 
Cluj-Napoca, Romania; tmr_kss@yahoo.com, lucia.bel@usamvcluj.ro, cosminadejescu@yahoo.com, 
radu.lacatus@usamvcluj.ro, robert.purdoiu@usamvcluj.ro, mariana.tataru@usamvcluj.ro, 
sorin.marza@usamvcluj.ro, ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro  
* Correspondence: ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro, tmr_kss@yahoo.com 

 
Abstract: Rabbits became more and more popular pets these last few years. For assuring their good health and wellbeing both the 
owners and the veterinarians are equally responsible. Sudden change in diet or inadequate nutrients, poor husbandry or stressing 
factors can all cause complex systemic pathologies to appear that often start at the oral cavity and the teeth. The aim of this study 
was to identify and apply the most accurate methods of approach, restrain, examination and diagnosis in dental disease in pet rabbits. 
This study included 19 rabbits, one of them clinically healthy and 18 were identified with dental disease. The patients had multiple 
affections but we categorized them according to the primary disease. 6 of them presented with pathologies of the incisors (31.57%), 
10 had issues starting with the premolars (52.63%) and 2 with the molars (10.52%). The highest rate was 52.63% represented by the 
ones that presented dental disease at the premolars. The most met pathology in this study was odontogenic abscess formation in 11 
out of 19 cases (57.89%), in most cases the abscesses appeared secondary due to periodontal infections. Knowing the specific features 
of the oral cavity, of the approach and the restraining methods as well as the clinical and imagistic diagnosing can assure proper 
management of dental disease in pet rabbits.    

 
Keywords: rabbits, dental disease, restraint, radiologic examination, management  

   
 

1. Introduction 

These days the domesticated rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is considered an  excelent animal companion 

but at the same time they are also used as laboratory animals and also some specific 

breeds are raised in farms settings for meat production. Research in the last few years 

shows that in order to ensure the pet rabbits wellbeing and health they need to be 

committed for annual health checkups, to examine the whole body completed with a full 

clinical examination of the head and the oral cavity and the teeth [4, 5]. Knowing the 

specific morphology of the head, the mouth and the dentition of the rabbits is essential in 

the management of dental disease. Rabbits teeth are elodont (they grow throughout their 

entire life) and hypsodont (high-crowned teeth that exceeds the gum line) so they need to 

chew constantly for proper dental wear. The teeth, the periodontal ligaments and the bone 

structures are active tissues and they all change in relation to dietal changes, behavioral 

modification or environmental changes. Development of periodontal disease is 

plurifactorial and includes: genetic disorders, breed predisposition, traumatic events, 

defective treatment and neoplasia. Other morphological aspects that predispoze rabbits 

to development of dental disease are a narrow and elongated oral cavity and a massive tongue with evident 

Received: 30.04.2024 

Accepted: 24.06.2024 

Published: 24.06.2024 

DOI: 10.52331/9cv14n09 

 

 

 

Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. 

Submitted for possible open-access 

publication under the terms and 

conditions of the Creative Commons 

Attribution (CC BY) license 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses

/by/4.0/). 

mailto:lucia.bel@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:cosminadejescu@yahoo.com
mailto:radu.lacatus@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:robert.purdoiu@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:mariana.tataru@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro


Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 23 of 43 
 

lingual protuberance. The upper lip of the lagomorphs is split, the diastema is long and they have heterodont 

dentition with hypselodont and lophodont cheek teeth. The enamel of the incisor teeth is white due to the lack of 

pigments. The occlusion of the cheek teeth is the anisognathus type what means that the lower jaw is narrower 

than the upper one. As a consequence of this type of jaw the occlusion changes during chewing and the grinding 

of the food only happens at one side at a time. During the mastication process the occlusion changes 120 times in 

a minute [15].  The rabbit’s teeth are continuously growing throughout their entire life, the incisors grow 

approximately 2-2.5 mm/week and the cheek teeth 2.5-3 mm/month. Important factors that contribute to the 

normal ware of the teeth are time spent consuming food, type of the nutrients and the abrasiveness of the diet [12, 

13].  Elodont teeth, as met in rabbits, have different anatomy and they are singular, homogenous elongated 

structures inside and outside the alveolus. The apex of the teeth remain largely open and they never form a “root” 

so they are considered aradicular. The germinative tissue represented by the pulp and the dental sac is positioned 

at the level of the apex and they continue to produce dental tissue from ameloblasts, odontoblasts and 

cementoblasts. There is a noticeable difference between the clinical and the reserve crown. The clinical crown is 

smaller and visible outside the alveolus while the reserve crown is the main structure of the teeth and is situated 

under the gum, intraosseous. Both of the crowns together form the long anatomical crown (Corona anatomica) or 

the body of the tooth (Corpus dentis) [1]. The dental formula is as follows: I (2/1), C (0/0), PM (3/2), M (3/3) = 28. 

The superior incisors have a specific placement in 2 rows: 2 well developed primary incisors followed by 2 

secondary smaller ones. They have no canine teeth so the diastema is long. The premolars and the molars are 

placed in close proximity of the cheeks, the clinical crown is visible on the exterior of the gingiva and the reserve 

crown is situated under the gum line [9]. The mastication process begins with a vertical action of the incisor teeth, 

the edge of the lower incisors slide along the occlusal surface of the superior primary incisors. Once the food 

reaches the cheek teeth, the mandible proceeds with a lateral action of chewing. For this specific movement the 

mandible is first retracted from the initial position separating the incisors and aligning the molars. The 

temporomandibular joint acts as a pivot on the side that is currently active in chewing with the masseter and the 

pterygoid muscles activated only on one side at a time [17].  
Dental disease in rabbits is divided in two big categories: hereditary and acquired.  The most frequent 

hereditary dental diseases are prognatism and brevignatism especially in the dwarf breed pet rabbits due to 

genetic modification to obtain a more desired look which led to the shortening of the skull much like in 

brachycephalic dog breeds. A shorter nasal bone, abnormal curvature or shorter mandible can lead to elongated 

incisors and secondary excessive growth of the cheek teeth. Acquired dental disease is more frequent and there 

are also 2 big groups: traumatic and non-traumatic lesions. Traumatic acquired dental disease is caused usually 

by accidents and is represented by fractures of the teeth, the skull or contusion of the facial bones and structures 

that compromise the dental structures. Non-traumatic injuries often are caused by inadequate food, insufficient 

dental wear or periodontal infections. They can also be seen after thermal burns caused by faulty crown resection, 

calcium of vitamin D deficiency or neoplasia. Specific literature shows that the most common dental pathology 

in pet rabbits is odontogenic abscess formation [8, 10, 11].    

        



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 24 of 43 
 

2. Materials and Methods 

In this study the biologic materials were represented by 19 pet rabbits, male and female, aged between 1 
and 10 years of age that were submitted to the NAC (New Animal Companion) clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary 
Medicine, Cluj Napoca.  
 It is highly recommended that before the clinical examination, the patients need to be placed on the table in 
the transportation box and to be left there for a few minutes to get used to the smell, the lights, the voice of the 
veterinarian. The examination table has to be covered with a non-slippery material that is easily cleaned and 
disinfected, and if possible on top of that to place an absorbent mat, a towel or a blanket.  
 The non-biologic materials used in the study were represented by the TEMCO GRX radiography machine, 
classic stomatology instruments and specific ones used for rodents.  
 The applied work methods were represented by: approach of the patient and restraint followed by clinical 
examination which entailed: inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and thermometry, respecting all the 
semiological requirements [16]. The approach and the restraint of the pet rabbit has some specific features that 
differ from the ones used in farm animals. A very important part of the restraint is constant support of the spine 
and the lumbar area by fixing the hind limbs. The muscles of the posterior train are well developed and the 
brutal extension of the legs, the propulsion force or the twisting of the spine can cause luxation or even fracture 
of the vertebrae, lumbo-sacral fracture or fracture of the spine [6, 7]. If possible, it is recommended to avoid 
lifting the rabbits off the ground, but if it is necessary the best way is to support the body and fix the hind limbs 
with one hand while holding the sternum and supporting the chest with the other hand. For examining the head 
and the oral cavity, a towel can be used to wrap the patient in it. This towel or a blanket can be used also if the 
rabbit is very aggressive to lift it out of the transport container and then other different restraining methods can 
be applied (Fig. 1).  

  

 

Fig. 1. Restraining methods for manipulation, lifting and transportation 

 

When the burrito restraining method is used (Fig. 2), the rabbit is placed on the towel or blanket in sternal 
recumbency followed by covering the hind limbs and the back of the animal. The towel then is folded and fixed 
around the neck gently. This method enables the veterinarian to examine the head, the ears and the mouth of 
the rabbit. A big advantage is that oral medication can be also given during this restrain and the patient cannot 
move abruptly.  

 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 25 of 43 
 

 

Fig. 2. Burrito restraining technique 

 

Proper examination of the head is a very important step in the general clinical examination. When done 
correctly, it can provide essential information to establish a proper diagnosis.  

Inspection from a distance is the first step of the examination of the head. We evaluate the symmetry 
of the face, abscesses appear usually only on one side of the mandible or the maxilla. Asymmetry of the face 
can also be caused by neurological diseases like facial nerve paralysis with ptosis of the eyelids or the lips. In 
most cases epiphora can be caused by elongated upper incisors or premolars and even wet dermatitis of the 
skin around the eye can be seen due to the constant irritation [9]. Fetid smell can guide the diagnostician to 
consider the existence of abscesses or other suppurative processes with bacterial involvement. In certain 
situations with dental disease or persistent pain, most of the rabbits have bruxism, presented by a grinding 
sound of the teeth that the practitioner can easily identify. Dental disease can induce lethargy, apathy, 
behavioral changes, lack of self-cleaning or changes of the appetite.  

Palpation of the rabbit face needs to be done very cautiously due to the discomfort it causes. Often 
when evaluating the bone structures and palpating any present modifications the rabbits may react and retract 
but that is not always caused by the presence of pain. Uneven surface of the head, or any kind of asymmetry of 
the skull has to be properly investigated. The methodology of palpating the head (Fig. 3) is as follows: Initially 
we palpate the ventral and lateral surface of the mandible to check for any kind of formation of soft or hard 
tissue like abscesses, ossification processes, bone remodeling due to excessive growth of the lower cheek teeth; 
then we follow with palpation of the nasal bone and the maxilla to identify any dental disease associated with 
elongation of the upper teeth or odontogenic abscess formation. Palpation of the cheek area is not recommended 
before an inspection of the oral cavity due to the possible formation of dental spikes that cause discomfort and 
pain that interferes with the evaluation and the interpretation of the symptoms. Then we proceed with the 
palpation of the zone around the eyes, we evaluate symmetry and protrusion of the eye globes and the 
temporomandibular joint. In lop eared rabbits the external auditory canal has to be palpated in a descending 
direction after lifting of the earlobe.  

 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 26 of 43 
 

 

Fig. 3. Palpation of the rabbit head 

 
Examination of the oral cavity can be done using the classical stomatology tools, or the specialized ones 

developed for rabbits and small rodents (Fig. 4). The rabbit is often awake for this part of the exam but in cases 
where it is needed the patient can be under general anesthesia too. Because of the length and narrowness of the 
mouth, two types of speculums are needed when examining the patient under anesthesia: one for the cheeks 
and one for the mouth to keep it open.  The instruments needed for the inspection of the oral cavity are: mouth 
gag, cheek dilator, cotton swabs, cheek spatula, otoscope, periodontal probe, dental mirror, hemostat, light 
source, pediatric laryngoscope and containers for biological samples.  

 

 

 

Fig. 4. Instruments for examining the oral cavity of the rabbit 

 

When not in use, the inferior incisors should be positioned between the first and the second row of the 
superior incisors (Fig. 5). The normal physiological shape of the incisors should be a chisel-shape. The labial 
surface of the incisors should be white and smooth to the touch, any modification of color, shape, roughness, or 
presence of horizontal ridges may indicate pathological processes.  
 

 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 27 of 43 
 

 

Fig. 5. Examination of the nose and occlusion of the incisors  

For examining the inside of the mouth, the veterinarian with one hand fixes the head of the rabbit and lifts 
the upper lips while gently sliding the otoscope or the laryngoscope inside the mouth with the other hand (Fig. 
6). 

 

 

Fig. 6. Examining the oral cavity and the teeth with the otoscope or laryngoscope 

  

Depending on the size of the rabbit, the lower cheek teeth have a short clinical crown while the superior 
premolars and molars are barely visible at the level of the gum line. The occlusal surface of the premolars and 
molars is at a 10˚ angle [19]. Any kind of modification needs to be identified like:  changes in the angle of the 
occlusal surface, uneven surface, changes in the length of the clinical crown, dental spike formation, lesions of the 
surrounding soft tissue, ulcerations, excessive amount of saliva in the mouth, halitosis, absence of teeth, high 
dental mobility, presence of purulent material or hemorrhage. Often is needed to clean the mouth using a cotton 
swab before trying to examine the oral cavity because food and other kind of substances can remain stuck between 
the teeth and the mucosa or tongue [14].  

Performing radiological imaging is recommended when during the clinical examination certain 
modifications are found like: deformity of the head, asymmetry of the skull, abscesses, malocclusion or metabolic 
diseases are suspected: osteodystrophy or secondary hyperparathyroidism. A high quality radiologic image can 
help the clinician to establish therapeutic protocol more efficiently and to elaborate a more precise prognosis. The 
most important aspect of obtaining a high quality image is based on the positioning of the patient on the radiology 
table. In rabbits when they are well restrained and docile an overall image can be made but usually it is 
recommended that the rabbits undergo general anesthesia or sedation at least. When the patient is weakened 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 28 of 43 
 

anesthesia can carry unnecessary risks and it is not indicated until the patient is stabilized and well hydrated. A 
radiological examination usually consists of two exposures: one latero-lateral and one dorso-ventral but in most 
cases these are not satisfactory due to the superimposition of multiple tissue layers. Research shows that a 
minimum of 4 different exposures are needed to fully asses dental disease in rabbits, as shown in the 19th case 
included in this study on a clinically healthy rabbit (Fig. 7). The aforementioned two exposures need to be 
completed with an oblique exposure at 40˚ angle on each side to visualize the mandibles and the apex of the lower 
cheek teeth.   

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of these 4 exposures, the most relevant information can be obtained when the patient is positioned 
correctly on the latero-lateral one, to apply the reference line system developed by Bohmer and Crossley [3]. On 
the latero-lateral view (Fig. 8 A) in rabbits’ normal occlusion, there should be no dental structures outside the 
line that connects the proximal extremity of the nasal bone to the occipital protuberance. Another reference line 
parallel with the dorsal line connects the rostral extremity of the hard palate to the tympanic bulla at 1/3 of its 
height. This second line marks the occlusal surface of the cheek teeth.  Although there are 6 upper cheek teeth 
and only 5 lower ones, the length of the occlusal surfaces is roughly the same. In healthy rabbits, the apexes of 
the lower cheek teeth should not penetrate the osseous ventral lamina of the mandible. The jaw should have a 
constant width and homogenous structure at the level of the lower premolars. In the dorso-ventral exposure (Fig. 
8 B) a series of reference lines can be traced starting with 2 lines that connect the lateral limit of the superior 
incisors down to the median angle of the mandible on the same side. Another set of symmetrical lines connect 
the lateral limit of the tympanic bulla to the lateral extremity of the incisor on the opposing side. No other dental 
structures should be visible in the areas traced by these set of lines except for the apexes of the superior premolars 
that normally have a curved shape [2].    

 

 

 

Fig. 7. Mandatory exposure of the head, case 19: 

 A-latero-lateral; B-dorso-ventral; C-oblique-right ; D-oblique-left 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 29 of 43 
 

 
 

 

Fig. 8. Reference lines on the radiologic image: A- latero-lateral exposure; B- dorso-ventral exposure 

3. Results 

 In this study were included 19 rabbits, 1 of them (5.26%) was clinically healthy, and 18 were diagnosed 
with dental disease. 6 of the rabbits had primary dental disease at the level of the incisors (31.57%), 10 of them 
had problems with the premolars (52.63%) and 2 presented pathology in the molars (10.52%). The highest 
percentage was represented by 52.63% with diseases of the premolar cheek teeth (Fig. 9). The classification 
criteria was based on the type of teeth that initiated the development of the dental disease. Each of the cases 
except for the healthy one, presented multiple disorders, primary and secondary modifications as well. The most 
frequently identified pathology in this study was odontogenic abscess formation in 11 of the 19 cases (57.89%). 
Most of these abscesses developed secondarily to periodontal infections.  

 
 

 

     Fig. 9. Classification of dental pathology (%) based on the type of the teeth primarily affected  

31.37%

52.63%

10.52%

5.26%

Affected teeth

Incisors

Premolars

Molars

Healthy

Rostral extremity 

of the hard palate 

1/3 of the height of the 

tympanic bulla 

Occipital protuberance 

Proximal extremity of nasal 

bone 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 30 of 43 
 

4. Discussion 

The cases included in this study were classified in two big categories: hereditary dental disease, like 
prognathism, and acquired dental disease like traumatic lesions, abscess formation, malocclusion, or metabolic 
bone disease. We had 2 cases identified with congenital dental disease: cases 1 and 2. Case 1, female, 1 year old, 
diagnosed with prognathism with extreme curvature of the superior incisors. In this case resection of the clinical 
crown of all the incisors was used to try to correct the malocclusion (Fig. 10 A). The second case was represented 
by a male rabbit, 6 months old, also with prognathism but also a secondary elongation of the premolars both 
superior and inferior and osteodystrophy of the upper primary incisors (Fig. 10 B). The rabbit underwent surgery 
to resect the crowns of the incisors close to the gum, to shorten the clinical crown of the cheek teeth to correct 
occlusion. After 6 months, he still presented malocclusion of the incisors, but the occlusal surface of the cheek 
teeth was improved (Fig. 10 C).  

 
 

Fig. 10. A- Maxillary prognathism, case 1; B- Maxillary prognathism with osteodystrophy of the upper incisors, 

case 2; C-. 6 months after crown height reduction, case 2 

 

We diagnosed 16 cases of acquired dental disease out of the 19 cases. They will be presented here based 
on the type of the teeth that started the pathological process. Cases 3, 4, 5 and 13 presented with primary acquired 
dental disease of the incisors. Case 3, male, 4 years old, suffered from fractured superior incisor due to some 
level of metabolic bone disease expressed by osteolysis and odontogenic abscess formation at the first lower 
premolar (Fig. 11 A). Surgical treatment concluded extraction of the upper incisors and the first two lower 
premolars on the left side, then followed by marsupialization of the abscess. Both cases 4 and 5 were identified 
with odontogenic abscesses at the inferior incisors. Case 4, female, 1 year old, presenting jaw abscess with the 
starting point at the right inferior incisor (Fig. 11 B).  The abscess was marsupialized and the affected incisor 
was extracted. Case 5, male, 8 years old, presented with abscess at the mandible due to periodontal infection of 
the lower incisors (Fig. 11 C). In this case both of the inferior incisors were extracted and then proceeded to the 
marsupialization of the abscess. Case 13, male, 2 years old, diagnosed with apical elongation of the inferior 
incisor that pushed the first lower premolar and dislocated it and then led to abscess formation because the 
osseous lamina of the mandible was injured (Fig. 11 D).    
 

A B C 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 31 of 43 
 

  

Fig. 11. A- Fractured superior incisor, case 3; B- Mandibular abscess at the right lower incisor, case 4; C- 

Periodontal infection of the lower incisors with abscess formation, case 5; D- severe malocclusion and 

mandibular abscess with elongation of the lower incisors, case 13 

 

The premolars were the most frequently affected teeth in this study and their pathology included: 
crown elongation, odontogenic abscess formation, in some cases also secondary malocclusion of the incisors. 
Dental disease of the premolars usually appear due to insufficient wear most likely caused by inappropriate 
nutrition.  Cases 6, 7, 9 and 10 were all identified with excessive growth of the premolars which later led to 
complications. Case 6, male, 3 years old, had elongated premolars with bone remodeling of the mandible which 
then caused secondary malocclusion of the incisors with exaggerated curvature and overgrowth (Fig. 12 A). 
We resorted to crown reduction of the incisors to the gum line, and also reduced the crown of the upper cheek 
teeth. The inferior premolars were extracted. Case 7, male, 2 years old, presented with slight malocclusion of 
the incisors due to overgrown cheek teeth (Fig. 12 B). Under general anesthesia the clinical crown of the incisors 
and the cheek teeth were shortened to give back a more natural occlusion. Crown elongation of the superior 
and the inferior molars in Case 9, male, 3 years old, condition a non-physiological positioning of the inferior 
molars and remodeling of the mandible (Fig. 12 C). The overgrown premolars were extracted. Case 10, female, 
3 years old, elongated premolars led to penetration of the osseous lamina of the mandible and osteolysis. In 
this case too, the premolars were surgically extracted.  

 

A 

B 

C D 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 32 of 43 
 

 

 

 

O 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of all the diagnosed non-traumatic acquired dental disease most of the cases were represented by 
odontogenic abscess formation based on gum inflammation and periodontal infections. Cases 8, 11, 12, 14, 15 
and 16 all were identified with abscesses originated at the level of the premolars and later presented 
complications like tooth fracture, osteolytic leasions and severe bone remodeling. Case 8, male, 5 years old, 
presented with fracture of the first inferior premolar, secondary malocclusion of the incisors, remodeling of the 
mandible and apical abscess that involved also the lower incisors. The maxillary incisors were reduced, and both 
lower incisors were extracted along with the fractured premolar (Fig. 13 A). Case 11, 3 years old male, with 
severe acquired dental disease. Presented with excessive growth of the mandibular cheek teeth, especially the 
premolars, with heavy mandibular bone remodeling that lead to abscess formation and secondary malocclusion 
of all the incisors. The incisors were resected with a dental burr using a diamond disc, the mandibular incisors 
on the left side were all extracted and the abscess was marsupialized (Fig. 13 B). Case 12, male, 1 year old, 
presented with a mandibular abscess that started at the apex of the first lower left premolar. The capsule of the 
abscess presented severe ossification, the superior premolars also were elongated and the lower molars 
presented pathological curvature of the reserve crown. Surgical treatment involved marsupialization of the 
abscess together with resection of the capsule, extraction of the affected premolar and leveling the occlusal 
surface of the cheek teeth with the help of the dental burr (Fig. 13 C).  
 

 
 
 
 

Fig. 12.  A- severe malocclusion, case 6; B- Slight malocclusion of the incisors due to overgrown premolars, case 

7; C- Crown elongation of the premolars and bone remodeling, case 9; D-  Overgrown inferior premolars 

causing remodeling and osteolysis, case 10 

A B 

C D 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 33 of 43 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cases 14, 15 and 16 also presented with mandibular abscesses with various etiology. Case 14, 1 year old 
male, diagnosed with abscess formation on the mandible due to periapical infection of the lower premolars on 
the left side with severe ossification of the abscess capsule and bone remodeling (Fig. 14 A).  The affected 
premolars were extracted and the abscess was marsupialized after removing as much as possible of the capsule 
tissue. Case 15, male, 1 year old, diagnosed with dystrophy of the first lower premolar of the left side that 
caused lateral mandibular abscess formation due to the periapical infection. The abscess was drained and the 
affected premolar was extracted (Fig. 14 B). Case 16, male, 7 years old, presented with abscesses both on the 
mandible and the maxilla, due to chronic periapical infections of the premolars. The abscess capsule was 
completely ossified on the mandible (Fig. 14 C). The patient was euthanized as requested by the owner.  

 

Primary pathology of the molars is quite rare, but in this study were included 2 of them presenting 
crown elongation and abscess formation: cases 17 and 18. Case 17, male, 2 years old, diagnosed with odontogenic 
mandibular abscess and elongation of the cheek teeth both superior and inferior (Fig. 15 A). Treatment involved 
surgical marsupialization of the abscess and crown reduction of the molars. Case 18, male, 3 years old, presented 
with caudal dislocation of the last lower molar and dystrophy of the tooth structure. In this case surgery was not 

 

Fig. 13. A- Fracture of the first mandibular premolar and secondary malocclusion of the incisors, case 8; B- 

Mandibular abscess and secondary malocclusion of the incisors, case 11; C- Mandibular abscess of the mandible 

with ossified capsule and severe malocclusion, case 12 

 

Fig. 14. Odontogenic abscess formation: A- Premolars left side of the mandible, case 14; B- First left lower 

premolar, case 15; C- Severe acquired dental disease with ossified abscess capsule, case 16 

A B C 

A A B C 



Cluj Vet J 2024, 29, 2 34 of 43 
 

recommended, the owner was advised to improve the diet and add rough nutrients that help with dental wear 
(Fig. 15 B).  
 

 

Fig. 15. A- severe elongation of the mandibular molars and abscess formation, case 17; B- Dystrophy of the 

dental structure of the last inferior molar, case 18 

   

5. Conclusions 

In our study after quantitative evaluation of the described dental pathology of rabbits, the results are similar to 
results obtained in the specific literature, which shows that the most affected teeth are the inferior premolars (43.33%). 
Using the reference lines as a method of interpretation the radiological images offers a better understanding and a 
higher chance of proper diagnosing of dental pathology in rabbits. Radiological examination in suspected dental disease 
is a gold standard method in identifying the primary pathology in stomatological disorders and it also aids in following 
up on the healing process as needed.      

  
 

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K-P.T.T. and I.P.; methodology, investigation, L.R., P.R.C. and M.S.M.; 
writing—original draft preparation, K-P.T.T.; writing—review and editing, M.T., L.B. and C.D.; supervision, I.P.; All 
authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. 

Institutional Review Board Statement: Ethical review and approval were waived for this study due to preexisting 
conditions in the dogs, which included recommended euthanasia based on previously obtained consent from the 
owners. 

Data Availability Statement: For further information, please contact the corresponding author via email. 

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

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