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Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: prevalence of dental disorders.
Abstract: Dental disorders have a high prevalence in older donkeys and horses, but the nature and pathogenesis of many of these disorders have yet to be established. Objective: The identification and determination of the prevalence of important dental disorders in different age groups in a large single population of donkeys, to establish a better understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of these disorders. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on the donkey population at The Donkey Sanctuary with detailed oral examinations of 357 donkeys within 7 different age groups (age range 2-53 years) recorded. Results: The prevalence of dental disease in all donkeys was 73%, increasing in prevalence from 28% in the youngest to 98% in the oldest age group. There was an increase in prevalence of commonly recognised dental disorders with increasing age, such as: diastemata (3.8% in youngest to 86% in oldest group); missing teeth (0-56%); overgrown teeth (15-86%); worn teeth (8-84%); displaced teeth (0-38%); and periodontal disease (0-28%). Conclusions: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of dental disorders with increasing age with the largest significant increase for most dental disorders occurring in the 15-20 year age group. POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE: Most dental disorders significantly increase in prevalence in the 15-20 year age group and, therefore, prophylactic geriatric dental treatment in donkeys should be commenced from age 15 years.
Publication Date: 2009-07-01 PubMed ID: 19562902DOI: 10.2746/042516409x368912Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article details a study conducted on the dental health of 357 donkeys of various age groups in the UK. The study concluded that the majority of donkeys had dental disorders, with an increase in prevalence as the age of the donkeys increased.
Objectives and Methods
- The main goal was to identify and determine the prevalence of critical dental disorders in donkeys of different age groups. Through this, the researchers aimed to gain a better understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of these disorders.
- To conduct this research, a prospective cross-sectional study was performed, focusing on the donkey population residing at The Donkey Sanctuary.
- Detailed oral examinations were performed on 357 donkeys, divided into seven different age groups ranging from 2 to 53 years.
Results
- The study found that overall, 73% of all the donkeys faced some form of dental disease.
- The prevalence of dental disorders increased with age, rising from 28% in the youngest donkeys to 98% in the oldest age group.
- Specific dental disorders such as diastemata, missing teeth, overgrown teeth, worn teeth, displaced teeth, and periodontal disease also showed a significant increase in prevalence with an increase in age.
- The maximum significant increase for most dental disorders was found in the 15-20 year age group.
Conclusions and Significance
- The research concluded that there was a substantial increase in dental disorders with increasing age in donkeys. The most significant rise in prevalence for most disorders happened in the age group of 15-20 years.
- The study’s findings hold potential significance as it implies that prophylactic geriatric dental treatment in donkeys should ideally be commenced from the age of 15 years to combat the increased risk and prevalence of dental disorders.
Cite This Article
APA
du Toit N, Burden FA, Dixon PM.
(2009).
Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: prevalence of dental disorders.
Equine Vet J, 41(4), 390-394.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x368912 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Animals
- Equidae
- Prevalence
- Stomatognathic Diseases / epidemiology
- Stomatognathic Diseases / pathology
- Stomatognathic Diseases / veterinary
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- French H, Segabinazzi L, Middlebrooks B, Peterson E, Schulman M, Roth R, Crampton M, Conan A, Marchi S, Gilbert T, Knobel D, Bertschinger H. Efficacy and Safety of Native and Recombinant Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive Vaccines Formulated with Non-Freund's Adjuvants in Donkeys. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;10(12).
- Peterson EW, Segabinazzi LGTM, Gilbert RO, Bergfelt DR, French HM. Evaluation of Stress Accompanying Immunocontraceptive Vaccination in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 13;12(4).
- Proost K, Boone MN, Josipovic I, Pardon B, Chiers K, Vlaminck L. Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography. Part 1: mandibular cheek teeth. BMC Vet Res 2021 Oct 22;17(1):334.
- Deng L, Shi S, Li J, Tang C, Han Y, Xie P. A Survey of Smallholder Farms Regarding Demographics, Health Care, and Management Factors of Donkeys in Northeastern China. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:626622.
- Zhu Y, Jiang W, Holyoak R, Liu B, Li J. Investigation of Oral Microbiome in Donkeys and the Effect of Dental Care on Oral Microbial Composition. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 30;10(12).
- Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 2: Risk factors associated with diastemata, periodontitis, occlusal pulp exposure, wear abnormalities, and malpositioned teeth. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1039-1046.
- Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders and their mutual relationships. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1028-1038.
- Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Angeloni MG, Lee L, Bigi D, Padalino B. Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Equus asinus): Husbandry and Welfare in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
- Pettett LM, Wilson GJ, Bird PS. An Oral Health Survey of Free-Ranging and Captive Koalas From Southeast Queensland, Australia. J Vet Dent 2025 Nov;42(6):426-438.
- Tinsley T, Fogle C, Means E, Robertston J. The prevalence and risk factors of dental disease found in 100 miniature horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1239809.
- Sterkenburgh TR, Hartl B, Peham C, Nowak M, Kyllar M, Kau S. Temporomandibular joint biomechanics and equine incisor occlusal plane maintenance. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1249316.
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