Dental disease in rabbits under UK primary veterinary care: Clinical management and associated welfare impacts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dental disease is a painful and highly prevalent condition in companion rabbits. However, the dental disease management techniques currently employed by UK primary-care veterinarians and potential associated clinical welfare implications are scarcely described.

Methods

Anonymised clinical records from primary-care practices participating in the VetCompass programme in 2019 were manually reviewed to identify cases of dental disease in rabbits. Clinical welfare implications were assessed through retrospective analysis of clinical signs, diagnostics and treatment information.

Results

A total of 2219 rabbit dental disease cases were recorded in 2019. The most frequently recorded clinical signs were reduced food intake (25.1%) and reduced faecal output (10.9%).

SUBMITTER: Jackson MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12412282 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature