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

Jackson, Maria; O'Neill, Dan; Hedley, Joanna; Brodbelt, Dave; Burn, Charlotte

Abstract

Background: Dental disease is painful and highly prevalent in companion rabbits, but current veterinary management techniques and clinical welfare implications are little described.
Methods: Anonymised VetCompass clinical records were manually reviewed to identify dental disease cases. Clinical welfare implications were assessed through retrospective analysis of clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment information.
Results: Within 2219 dental disease cases in 2019, the most frequently recorded clinical signs were reduced food intake (25.1%) and reduced faecal output (10.9%). Diagnostic dental radiography was performed in 2.2% of cases. Tooth trimming (including using burs, rasps, and nail clippers) was conducted on 34.0% of cases; 6.1% of rabbits undergoing cheek teeth trimming had the procedure performed whilst conscious. Dietary modification was recommended for 21.5% of cases. Dental disease was the primary reason for death or a contributory factor in 51.2% of the cases who died.
Limitations: Accurate dental disease diagnosis relied on detailed veterinary examination and confidence in diagnosing rabbit dental disease, which may vary.
Conclusion: Dental disease is shown here as a major welfare concern for rabbits, indicated by the high frequency of detrimental clinical signs, potentially suboptimal treatment methods used in some cases, and its frequency as a full or contributory cause of death. Greater owner and veterinary awareness of dental disease signs and further veterinary education on appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods would improve the welfare of affected rabbits.

Citation

Jackson, M., O'Neill, D., Hedley, J., Brodbelt, D., & Burn, C. (2025). Dental disease in rabbits under UK primary veterinary care: Clinical management and associated welfare impacts. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.5326

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 28, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Publication Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 16, 2025
• Journal: Vet Record
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.5326