Antibiotic Use in Dental Care of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in Sweden.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest threats to global health. In society as well as in healthcare facilities, antimicrobial resistance is rapidly increasing with the main reason being overuse and misuse of antibiotics combined with inadequate infection prevention. For humans, dental care accounts for about 10% of all antibiotic prescriptions, making it an important target for antibiotic stewardship interventions. Corresponding figures for veterinary care are currently lacking but dental disease is frequently diagnosed in small animals. An important first step in the work towards prudent use of antibiotics is to understand antibiotic prescription habits and through that estimate the adherence to veterinary antibiotic guidelines as well as the need for education, training, and improved policies. The aim of this article is to present the results of a multicentre point prevalence survey sent to Swedish IVC Evidensia practices during autumn 2021 to recognize the use of antibiotics associated with dental treatments in dogs, cats, and rabbits. During the study period, 4.4% of the dental patients in Swedish IVC Evidensia small animal veterinary practices received antibiotics. The most used antibiotics prescribed were ampicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin indicating an overall high level of compliance to veterinary dental guidelines. This article demonstrates that Swedish veterinarians use antibiotics prudently in small animal dentistry and the results may be used as a future global benchmark.

Advances in dental management in the equine geriatric patient: strategies for improved welfare.

Geriatric horses have a high prevalence of dental disease, which is a culmination of age-related dental changes and dental disease throughout the life of the horse that may have long-term consequences. Wear abnormalities, diastemata with periodontal disease, pulpitis and endodontic disease, infundibular caries, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis become more prevalent with age. Recognition of age-related dental disease at an early stage can help to treat and possibly preserve teeth for longer. With a natural decrease in masticatory efficiency, it is even more important to preserve teeth where possible and prevent any painful dental disease. Regular routine dental examination and maintenance will help to prevent many dental conditions such as wear disorders and possibly secondary diastemata. Successful treatment and management of most dental diseases are possible even in older patients and will ensure that we are able to maintain a high standard of welfare as horses age.

A Retrospective Review of Dental Care and Related Husbandry of Captive Great Apes Over 37 Years (1982-2019) at Milwaukee County Zoo.

Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ) has cared for 25 lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), 17 orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and 38 bonobos (Pan paniscus) since 1982. MCZ has one of the largest captive populations of bonobos in the world, with a current troop of 19 animals and historically as many as 24 in the troop. This article reviews the dental care provided to these animals from 1982-2019.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of operator inhaled aerosols during routine motorised equine dental treatment.

BACKGROUND: Routine equine odontoplasty is performed by both Veterinary Surgeons and Equine Dental Technicians. The production of aerosolised particulates from motorised equipment has been well documented in human orthodontics but has yet to be investigated in the veterinary industry. OBJECTIVES: To assess the size, quantity and composition of particulates produced during routine motorised odontoplasty and to model their deposition in the human respiratory tree. STUDY DESIGN: Analytic observational study. METHODS: Fifteen-minute routine motorised odontoplasties were performed on cadaver heads with monitoring equipment placed 30 cm away from the oral cavity to simulate the position of the operator's face. For quantitative analysis, an active air sampling photometric monitor was used to detect the concentration of fully respirable (<4.25 µm) particles produced. The use of water and non-water-cooled equipment and 2 different types of face mask (standard surgical and FFP3) were compared. An 8-stage Marple Personal Cascade Impactor modelled the deposition of the particulates in relation to the human respiratory tree. Qualitative analysis of these particulates was performed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS: Motorised odontoplasty created aerosolised particulates that could reach all levels of the human respiratory tree. These particulates were composed mostly of calcium and phosphate, although traces of metals were found. The concentration of fully respirable particulates exceeded the recommended exposure limits set by the Health and Safety Executive. The use of an FFP-3 face mask significantly reduced the level of inhaled particulates. MAIN LIMITATIONS: This was a simulated experiment. It does not take into account the variety of environments in which routine treatment takes place. CONCLUSIONS: There are possible health risks in performing a large amount of routine motorised dentistry due to inhalation of aerosolised particulates. The use of an adequate face mask lowers exposure levels to within acceptable limits and, therefore, should be worn.

Minimizing Equine Tooth Extraction Complications.

Oral extraction has become the most popular extraction technique owing to its high rate of success with minimal major complication. Repulsion continues to produce unacceptably high iatrogenic complication rates. To avoid tooth repulsion, veterinary dentists have introduced procedures to facilitate difficult intraoral extractions and surgical extraction techniques. Minimizing complications is best achieved preoperatively. A comprehensive preoperative evaluation and treatment plan allows the dentist to predict intraoperative complication and prepare for procedures to produce the best outcome. With proper case selection and adherence to extraction principles, the primary veterinarian and the veterinary dentist can perform equine tooth extractions with minimal complications.

Professional dental cleaning in dogs: clinical routines among Swedish veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

BACKGROUND: Dental disease is very common in dogs and veterinary professional dental cleaning and examination, together with daily dental home care, is the foundation for good dental health. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated professional dental cleaning routines in small animal veterinary practice. A validated questionnaire survey was distributed to all veterinarians and veterinary nurses with registered e-mail addresses in the Swedish national registry (veterinarians; n = 3657, veterinary nurses; n = 1650). Response rates were 32% for veterinarians (V) and 38% for veterinary nurses (VN). RESULTS: In total, 73% (V)/96% (VN) of respondents reported that professional dental cleaning was performed at their work place under general anesthesia, and 27% (V)/18% (VN) that dental cleaning was performed under sedation. Of the respondents, 43% (V)/96% (VN) considered regular dental cleaning under general anesthesia fairly or very important, and 49% (V)/47% (VN) stated that it was sometimes important for good dental health in dogs. A majority of respondents, 84% (V)/97% (VN), reported that dental extractions were performed at their clinic, and 72% (V)/90% (VN) had access to dental radiography equipment. CONCLUSION: A majority of Swedish veterinarians and veterinary nurses perform professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia with access to dental radiography equipment, in accordance with national and international recommendations. However, a considerable proportion of professional dental cleanings were performed under sedation only, and extractions performed without access to dental radiography equipment were common, suggesting several areas of improvement in the routines in Swedish veterinary clinics and hospitals. Our results clearly indicate the need for improved educational efforts to increase the awareness among veterinary health professionals regarding guidelines and official recommendations in canine dental care.

Investigation of the Shedding of Selected Respiratory Pathogens in Healthy Horses Presented for Routine Dental Care.

The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of detection of selected infectious respiratory viruses and bacteria in healthy horses presented over a 12-month period for routine dental care at 2 veterinary hospitals. Nasal secretions were collected from 579 horses and tested for equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5), equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis A and B viruses (ERAV, ERBV), Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S equi), S equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S zooepidemicus), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using routine diagnostic quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. True respiratory pathogens (EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, ERBV, and MRSA) were detected in 129 (22%) of the horses. Commensal respiratory pathogens (EHV-2, EHV-5, and S zooepidemicus) were detected in 515 (89%) of the study horses. ERAV and S equi were not detected in any of the study horses. The horses showed statistical differences between the 2 veterinary hospitals in regard to breed, age, presence of nasal discharge, rectal temperature, and detection of true and commensal respiratory pathogens. The data generated from the present study supports the risk for the transmission of true and commensal respiratory pathogens from subclinical shedders to susceptible horses. Equine veterinarians performing routine dental care should engage in routine biosecurity practices, with the goal to reduce disease spread.

Dental home care in dogs - a questionnaire study among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease remains one of the dog's most common health issues, even though it is largely preventable by tooth brushing. Implementation of daily tooth brushing would not only improve animal welfare, but also reduce veterinary costs for the owner. There is a paucity of studies investigating attitudes, opinions and practices of dog owners, veterinarians, and veterinary nurses regarding preventative dental home care in dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate these parameters in Sweden, thereby providing a basis for improved prophylactic strategies. METHODS: Validated questionnaire surveys were distributed to all Swedish dog owners (n = 209,263), veterinarians (n = 3657) and veterinary nurses (n = 1650) with e-mail addresses in the national registry. The response rates were 32% for dog owners and veterinarians, and 38% for veterinary nurses. The survey questions concerned attitudes, opinions and practices regarding dental home care, including whether dog owners received information concerning dental home care or not, and if this information resulted in implementation. RESULTS: Attitudes, opinions and practices regarding dental home care are presented for Swedish dog owners, veterinarians, and veterinary nurses. A fundamental finding was that the absolute majority of Swedish dog owners do not perform adequate prophylactic dental home care. Considerable discrepancies were identified in the opinions of veterinary health practitioners and dog owners regarding attitudes towards dental home care and conveying of information. Several areas for improvement in the communication between dog owners and veterinary health practitioners concerning dental home care were identified. CONCLUSION: Our results illustrates the need for validated methods to increase dog owner compliance with dental home care recommendations. We also see a need of further education, regarding canine dental home care, among veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and dog owners. The results from this unique study constitute an important foundation for future development of prophylactic strategies, with the ultimate goal to improve dental health, and thereby animal welfare, in dogs.