Microbiology of Dental Disease in Pet Rabbits

Abstract

Maintenance of oral health and hygiene represents an essential condition in avoiding dental disease for humankind but also for the animal kingdom. This study aimed to present the importance of prevention techniques and treatment options for dental disease in pet rabbits. The research was focused on 16 rabbits that had been diagnosed with dental disease based on clinical and paraclinical examination, we obtained samples from the dental injury site using a sterile cotton swab and followed up with bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity testing for identifying the bacteria and the resistances. Out of 16 samples sent to the laboratory for testing, 4 were negative (25%), showing no bacterial growth, from the rest of the samples the following bacterial strains were identified: 18,75% Staphylococcus spp, 18,75% Streptococcus spp, 6,25% Streptococcus β hemolytic, 6,25% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 6,25% Klebsiella spp. 3 cases presented with multiple-strain infection as follows: 6,25% Streptobacillus spp and Klebsiella spp; 6,25% Proteus spp and Streptoccus spp; 6,25% Pseudomonas spp and Streptoccus spp. After obtaining the antibiotic sensitivity test results, we found that the most efficient drug was Amikacin, no bacteria presented resistance to this medicine, and it was followed by Trimethoprim/sulfa (TMPS) and Ciprofloxacin. All the identified bacterial strains were presenting resistance to Amphotericin and Clindamycin. Antimicrobial resistance and the limited availability of veterinary-use-approved drugs constitute strong arguments that sustain the importance of this study in the management of dental disease in pet rabbits.

Keywords

• rabbit, dental desease, bacteriology