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.