Dental Disease in Ferrets
Maintaining good dental health is very important in the pet ferret. Lack of good oral hygiene leads to plaque and subsequent tartar, which can trap bacteria resulting in gingivitis (gum inflammation) and with time infection of the tooth roots and loss of teeth. Additionally, bacteria from an infected mouth may enter the bloodstream, leading to disease in other body organs such as the kidneys, heart valves and lungs.
Outward signs of dental disease may not be obvious and many times tartar and gingivitis are first noted during the routine veterinary physical exam. If more severe dental disease develops look for the following clinical signs; difficulty chewing food or dropping food while eating, weight loss, pawing at the mouth or facial swelling and/or pain. Similar clinical signs may occur with other ferret health problems such as oral tumors or insulinoma, therefore if seen, a visit to your veterinarian is warranted.
Veterinarians are well trained in dental care and routinely examine the ferret’s mouth for an assessment of overall oral health during the annual physical exam. If plaque and tartar have built up, a routine cleaning and polishing of the teeth may be recommended. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia so that a complete oral health assessment and dental cleaning can be thoroughly and safely performed. The soft tissues of the mouth including tongue, gums and the mouth lining are examined for evidence of infection or ulceration. A dental probe is used to examine all teeth for evidence of gingivitis and periodontal disease where pockets of infection exist between the tooth and gum. The teeth are examined for evidence of odor, pain, fractures, discoloration and root exposure. All healthy teeth are then scaled and polished. Fluoride treatment is available to help strengthen enamel and reduce any pain associated with unhealthy teeth. Many veterinarians now offer full mouth dental radiographs (dental x-rays) in order to assess the roots and surrounding bone for abnormalities.
In the event of a more serious dental problem, such as a tooth crown fractures or tooth infections and abscesses your veterinarian may recommend procedures such as surgical extractions, bonded sealants or root canals. Another not uncommon dental malady in ferrets involves malpositioned canine teeth. This is where one of the long, sharp canine teeth is crooked and subsequently puts pressure on the opposite lip, leading to ulceration and pain. Filing down the affected tooth and applying a bonded sealant will help stop the ulceration while preserving tooth vitality.
This ferret had fractured off the tip of its right upper canine tooth resulting in bacterial invasion and loss of tooth vitality as seen by its dark discoloration. The tooth had abscessed and was painful.
Tooth extraction was recommended followed by suturing a flap of gum tissue over the tooth socket to reduce pain and stimulate healing.
As a ferret owner you can play a key roll in preventing bacterial numbers in the mouth and subsequent dental disease. Studies performed by veterinary dental specialists have shown that nothing beats daily brushing in eliminating and controlling oral bacteria. A soft child’s toothbrush or fingerbrush (available from your veterinarian) and an animal-approved toothpaste work best. To get your ferret used to the idea of oral health maintenance try using a gauze square and your finger tip to gently rub along the tooth and gum margin. Starting at a young age is always ideal, but it is never too late to think of your ferret’s dental care and subsequent health benefits.
