Who thinks about ferret and rabbit teeth? If you own such a warm fuzzy, you should. Ferret dental problems are similar to those in dogs and cats, but rabbits have unique conditions.

Fractured teeth occur commonly in ferrets. The teeth can break from a fight or from chewing on hard objects. At times, only the enamel is chipped, but other times the tooth fractures enough to expose the nerve. Self-examination will reveal a red or black dot in the middle of the fractured segment. If there is nerve exposure, either the nerve is removed and tooth filled, or we extract the tooth preventing future infection.

Ferrets can also be affected by orthodontic conditions. One or both of the lower canines may abnormally point forward, causing the upper lip to become inflamed, and leading to excessive dryness of the lower gum tissues. Treatment consists of removing half or three-quarters of the crown, sealing the pulp chamber with medication, and acrylic bonding.

Ferrets are also presented to the veterinary dentist to remove or trim teeth causing injury to humans or other animals. If the ferret owner has exhausted all other behavioral modification means to control biting, the canines' height can be reduced using a procedure called crown reduction and vital pulpotomy, keeping the tooth alive but shorter.

Often pet rabbits suffer from dental abnormalities. Deformed teeth with little or no enamel are commonly found during clinical examination. This occurs due to poor nutrition. In addition distorted growth of rabbit teeth leads to lacerations to the tongue or inside the cheek, causing poor appetite, weight loss, and problems with grooming. Distorted growth of the roots may result in penetration of the weakened bones of the lower and upper jaws as well as the bones supporting the eye.

Rabbits also are affected with orthodontic problems. Rabbit teeth continually erupt. Normally the upper teeth meet the lower teeth evenly. If they do not, there will be overgrowth. Therapy for overgrowth is either extraction or trimming of the affected teeth. Trimming should be done under sedation with a dental drill. Using nippers may cause tooth fractures, exposing the sensitive nerve.

-Dr. Jan Bellows is one of 47 board certified veterinary dentists in the country. He can be reached at All Pets Dental Clinic, 9111 Taft Street, Pembroke Pines, Florida 954-432-1111, email dentalvet@aol.com