ABSTRACT

Statistical studies on the incidence of dental diseases in dogs were performed during the period 1997-1998. The most common nosological entities in that connection were established, as well as their relationship between their prevalence and the physiological condition of patients, their breed and age. It was observed that dental diseases represented 6% of all surgical diseases in dogs treated at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Cremor dentis (21.5%); gingivitis (17.1%) and paradontopathiae (13.3%) were most often encountered. The highest percentage of dogs with dental problems was in the 4-6-year-old group. A similar prevalence was also observed in small breeds of dog.

Key words: dental diseases, dogs, incidence, Bulgaria

Introduction

The incidence of dental diseases in dogs has become more prevalent during recent years due to the growing increase in the number of pet animals in Bulgaria. This situation has led to substantial changes in canine pathology.

Latest reports show that the prevalence of canine dental diseases has also increased in many other countries (EMILY, 1991; HENNET, 1994). According to COLLES (1990), 52% of animals suffer from dental diseases, especially those aged between 6-10 years (69%) as well as those over 11 years (78%). Peridontal diseases are encountered in 85% of dogs after the age of 5 years, when they need effective dental help (BOJRAB and THOLEN, 1990).

No statistical data are available on the incidence of dental diseases in the canine population in Bulgaria. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of dental diseases in dogs, the prevalence of the different nosological entities, and the relationship between them and the age and breed of patients.

Materials and methods

A statistical study was performed on the basis of information obtained on patients at the Dental Unit of the Surgical Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, during the period March 1997 to March 1998.

Results

Figure 1 shows that the prevalence of dental pathology (136 patients) throughout the whole surgical pathology (2185 dogs) for the mentioned period was approximately 6%.

Fig. 1. Relationship between dental diseases and surgical diseases in dogs for the period March 1997-March 1998 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Table 1. shows the distribution of Dental Unit patients, according to sex and age. The highest percentage (31.6%) of patients involved those between the age of 4 and 6 years. The most frequent diseases in that group were cremor dentis and paradontopathia. This was followed age group 7-10 years - 23.5% of all dogs. Here, we encountered cases of pathological dental abrasion, pulpitis, dental fractures, oronasal fistulae, etc. More than half the patients (55.1%) were aged between 4 and 10 years.

Table 1. Number and percentage of dogs treated for dental surgical diseases for the period March 1997-March 1998, according to sex and age, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Young dogs (1-3 years) represented 17.7% of all patients. There has recently been a tendency towards an increase in the number of young dogs with dental hypoplasia. In puppies up to one year of age the most frequent diseases were: polyodontia, polyodontia et heterotropia dentium, retentio dentium.

Table 2. shows the distribution of dogs with dental problems, according to breed. It was evident that the most affected breed was the Teser, followed by Pinschers. An analysis of data also shows that dogs of small breeds (Pinscher, Pekingese, Poodle, Teser) were most frequently affected - in those breeds the percentage of dental problems was significantly higher (53%) compared to the other 11 breeds (47%). Dental diseases were more rarely found in dogs of large breeds. For example, the percentage for the Rottweiler, Riesenschnautser, Boxer, and Bulldog breeds was about 3-4%.

Table 2. Number and percentage of treated dogs with dental surgical diseases for the period March 1997-March 1998, according to breed, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Table 3. shows the distribution of the nosological entities of dental pathology. Dental problems most commonly found in dogs were as follows: cremor dentis, 21.5%; gingivitis, 17.1% and paradonthopathia, 13.3%. These are characteristic of small-breed individuals aged 4-6 years, fed with soft foods and not receiving oral hygiene care. Oronasal fistula were observed in 19 dogs (6% of all dental diseases). Polyodontia, as well as polyodontia et heterotropia dentium, were observed in 10.5% of patients, particularly in small breeds. Tooth fractures were found in German Shepherds, Dobermanns, Rottweilers and Boxers (in the latter, they were often complicated by pulpitis, parapical cysts and phlegmones).

Table 3. Number and percentage of treated dogs with dental surgical diseases for the period March 1997-March 1998, according to their diagnosis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

(Note: the total number of entities is higher than the number of patients since many of the dogs presented were suffering from more than one disease)

Discussion

The results of our study are similar to those arrived at by other authors (COLLES, 1990; BOJRAB and THOLEN, 1990; LYON, 1992). With regard to Bulgaria, the number of dogs suffering dental problems was characterised by a four- to five-fold increase compared to the period 1994-1995 (BORISSOV and GORANOV, 1996).

Data presented in Table 1 for the prevalence of dental diseases in dogs between 4-6 years differed compared to other reports (COLLES, 1990; BOJRAB and THOLEN, 1990). Our results showed a lower age of occurrence, probably due to feeding with soft foods and a lack of oral hygiene.

The comparatively higher percentage of dental problems found in young dogs (12.5% under the age of 1 year) is due to a lack of genetic prophylaxis and the breeding of dogs with congenital dental disorders, such as polyodontia and olygodontia.

The prevalence of oral diseases in dogs of small breeds is due to two principal factors. First, small breeds are more popular in our country, and, second, feeding with soft foods predominates in those breeds. It is well known that a close relationship exists between the feeding of pets and the incidence of dental problems (BORISSOV and GORANOV, 1996).

Data for the distribution of nosological entities shows that the highest percentage of affected dogs suffered from cremor dentium. This is logical since almost all dental diseases occur subsequent to the accumulation of tartar. The high percentage of dogs with tartar is evidence of a lack of oral hygiene, of irregular veterinary dental care and also of a lack of commercially available preparations for canine oral hygiene.

Second place was taken by paradontopathies. These are related to infection of gingivae, the roots of teeth and alveoles. This condition occurred secondarily to microtraumas caused by subgingival tartar and the micro-organisms contained within it.

An interesting fact is the relatively high percentage of the causes of tooth enamel hypoplasia. We consider that the disease could be congenital, related to impaired calcium and phosphate balance, intoxications, etc. There is a trend towards an increase in incidence of the disease due to a lack of measures for its genetic prophylaxis.

Statistical data for the incidence of dental disease in dogs are strongly indicative of the actuality of the problem.

Conclusions

1. Dental problems in dogs accounted for about 6% of all surgical diseases during the period March 1997-March 1998.

2. Dental problems most commonly met in dogs are: cremor dentium, 21.5%; gingivitis, 17.1%, and paradontopathia, 13.3%.

3. The highest incidence of dental diseases occurred between the age of 4-6 years - 31.6%.

4. Dental problems are prevalent among dogs of small breeds - Teser, Pinscher, Pekingese and Poodle.

References

BORISSOV, I., N. GORANOV (1996): Oral hygiene-a principal prophylactic means against dental diseases in dogs. VII National Conference of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria, Stara Zagora. pp. 112-116.

BOJRAB, M. J., M. THOLEN (1990): Small Animal Oral Medicine and Surgery. Lea & Febiger. Philadelphia.

COLLES, S. (1990): The prevalence of buccal cervical resorptions in Australian cats. Annual Meeting of the American Veterinary Dental Society. J. Vet. Dentistry 7, 14-16.

EMILY, P. (1991): Small Animal Dentistry. Pergamon press. Oxford.

GROSSLY, D., S. PENMAN (1995): Manual of Small Animal Dentistry. BSAVA.

HENNET, P. (1994): Les principales affections dentaires chez les animaux de compagnie. Pratique medicine et chirurgicale de l'animal de compagnie 4, 5-12.

LYON, K. E. (1992): Subgingival odontoclastic resorbtive lesions in cats. Vet. Clin. North Am. 22, 1417-1432.

Received: 20 October 1998
Accepted: 30 March 1999

BORISSOV, I.: Analiza ucestalosti bolesti zubiju u pasa u Staroj Zagori u Bugarskoj. Vet. arhiv 69, 79-85, 1999.