Dental resorption injury in jaguar (Panthera onca): Case report

Abstract

Feline dental resorption lesions (FDRL) are very common in cats, being aggravated by advancing age of the animal. It is the most common oral disease of domestic cats, being also reported in lions, leopards, jaguars, pumas, ocelots and wild cats. It can be the cause of severe oral pain manifesting with hyporexia, drooling, chattering and oral bleeding. They present clinically in inflammatory and non-inflammatory or mixed forms, covering the first two. In the non-inflammatory form, it can affect only the tooth root, not showing clinical signs, and this change is seen on radiographic images as radiolucent regions in the tooth root. In captive wild animals, observation of the facilities and the routine of the animals is recommended, identifying early signs that may indicate oral diseases, such as blood and secretions on objects that it usually bites, signs of pain during chewing and ingestion of liquids, difficulty in apprehension and choice for softer foods. The complete examination of the oral cavity implies general anesthesia, ensuring safety for the animal and for the team involved in the management. The objective of this report is to register a case of reabsorptive lesion in a jaguar and warn about the importance of early diagnosis of oral diseases in captive animals, as well as constant monitoring, ensuring quality of life.