Ferret dentistry
by Jan Bellows, D.V.M.
Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College
9111 Taft Street
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Ferrets have thirty baby and thirty four adult teeth. All baby teeth should
be in by three months and lost by nine months of age.
There are four main types of teeth. The six small upper and lower incisors
located in the front which are used to gather food; four canines also called
"fang" or "eye" teeth used to puncture the food; three upper and lower
premolars used to shear or cut food; one upper and two lower molars used to
grind up food.
Ferret dental problems are similar to dog and cat conditions. Fractured teeth
occur commonly. The tooth can break from a fight or other trauma. At times
only the enamel is chipped which should be treated by allowing the
veterinarian to sedate the ferret and grind down any rough edges. Other times
the tooth fractures to expose the nerve. If there is nerve exposure the
treatment of choice is to remove the inflamed nerve to save the tooth.
Metallic or acrylic is used to restore the tooth.
Ferrets even suffer from some orthodontic conditions. One or both of the
lower canines may abnormally point forward. this condition may cause the
upper lip to become inflamed and cause excess dryness of the lower gum
tissues. Treatment consists of removing half or three quarters and sealing
the pulp chamber with medication and acrylic bonding.
Periodontal disease is the most common condition in the ferret older than six
years old. Periodontal disease can be decreased thorough cleaning every six
months and daily tooth brushing .
Special dog and cat tooth pastes appear to be safe to use in ferrets.
Treatment of periodontal disease consists of extraction of loose teeth and
frequent veterinary oral evaluation.
Ferrets are frequently presented to veterinarians to "trim" teeth in order
to decrease damage from biting. In most cases the veterinarian simply cuts
the tooth in half. Unfortunately this allows food and bacteria to travel down
the open root canal system eventually causing a deep infection in the bone.
In addition to being painful, the infection can also spread to the heart,
liver, and kidneys, causing harm. If your ferret's teeth have been trimmed
in the past, a veterinarian familiar with dentistry should be consulted to
x-ray the tooth roots and remove the infected nerve prior to sealing the
canal if possible.
If the ferret owner has exhausted all other behavioral modification means to
control biting, the canines height can be reduced using a procedure called
vital pulpotomy where the root canal system is sealed not allowing infection
or discomfort.