Chronic dental disease in a 7-year-old rabbit

Abstract

Pepper, a 7-year-old male castrated lop-eared rabbit, presented on July 1, 2008 for evaluation of a mandibular mass. He had a history of recurring chronic dental disease since 2004, and had been treated for several tooth root abscesses. On his previous visit a month prior, a firm 1.5-cm mass had been noted on his right mandible. In addition, Pepper had chronic nasal discharge. Examination revealed that the mass had increased in size and become less firm, as well as a mild serous nasal discharge. A CT scan showed advanced dental disease and tooth root elongation in all arcades, in particular a large abscess and associated bone lysis on his right mandible involving P2, M1, and M2. He was anesthetized, M2 and P2 were extracted, and the abscess was drained and packed with Amikacin-impregnated umbilical tape.