IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
de Campos Andrade, P.M.M.; Morgado, T.; Mallmann, P.R.; Spiller, P.R.; Gomes, L.; Stocco, M.B.; de Casia Martini, A.; Schroder, D.C.; Ramiro Correa, S.H.; Souza, R.
Occurrence of oral diseases in neotropical wild carnivores kept in captivity at the zoo from Federal University of Mato Grosso - Cuiab 
2015  Semina Ciencias Agrarias (36): 2633-2640

Control of oral lesions contributes directly to the health, survival and welfare of captive animals. In order to investigate the occurrence of oral diseases in neotropical wild carnivores kept at the zoo at the Federal University of Mato Grosso - Cuiab , we evaluated 31 oral cavities from three families of carnivores (Felidae, Canidae and Procyonidae) between July 2012 and June 2013. Twelve coatis _(Nasua nasua_), three raccoons (_Procyon cancrivorus_), two maned wolves (_Chrysocyon brachyurus_), six crab-eating fox (_Cerdocyon thous_), one hoary fox (_Pseudalopex vetulus_), three ocelots (_Leopardus pardalis_), one cougar _(Puma concolor_) and three wild cats (_Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus wiedii _and _Leopardus colocolo_) were reviewed. The most frequent lesions were dental absences 21/31 (67.7%), dental fractures 20/31 (64.5%) and tooth wear 19/31 (61.3%), which were suggestive of trauma caused from stress. Of lesser importance, we also observed occurrence of dental calculus grade I in 18/31 (58%), caries 1/31 (3.2%), foreign bodies 2/31 (6.4%), orofacial fistulas 1/31 (3.2%), hyperplasia in the oral mucosa 1/31 (3.2%), dental dimming 3/31 (9.7%) and chafing of the soft tissue 5/31 (16.1%). Therefore, it was concluded that environmental enrichment strategies and oral routine evaluation must be implemented to ensure the welfare of these animals, reducing local and systemic adverse effects of oral lesions. The diet has been successful in preventing periodontal disease, suggesting that this diet for the captive animals in the institution should be maintained.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)