Advanced Periodontal disease in Ferrets
(08.09.2004) "Chipsi" is a 5 year old spayed female ferret (Mustella putorius fur) or "frettchen" in German that suffered for over a year due to advanced periodontal disease.
"Chipsi" our geriatric patient
It was recently presented at our service with classical signs of chronic perio disease; inappetence, modified behavior, irascibility
The cheek teeth presented advanced mobility, deep periodontal pockets, and moderate to advanced calculus deposits and bacterial plaque as in the above photo.
The X-rays performed show a typical translucency corresponding to the combined vertical and horizontal infrabony pockets that were present.
These pockets were highlighted in the next picture for better visualisation.
The condition was succesfully corrected by performing multiple tooth extractions of the unsalvageable teeth and, a professional prophylaxys consisting of ultrasound scaling and polishing.
At present "Chipsi" is happy and has a "mona lisa smile" since all the front teeth were saved, her appetite is returned against all age related odds.
More upon periodontal diseases in more common patients such as; cats, dogs and horses in the following article issues.
DDr. Camil Stoian PhD, Mag. Helene Widmann