Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Unilateral failure of development of mandibular premolars and molars in an Eastern Grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and its effects on molar progression.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Barber, D et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Melbourne · Australia
Plain-English summary
An adult male Eastern Grey kangaroo from a wildlife reserve near Melbourne was examined after it died, and it was found to have unusual teeth. Specifically, there were no premolars or molars on the right side of its lower jaw, while the front teeth were normal. The kangaroo's age was estimated to be between 1 year 9 months and 2 years 4 months, which was determined by looking at the teeth on both sides of its mouth. Additionally, it had a common dental disease known as 'lumpy jaw,' which was linked to a type of bacteria. This case of missing teeth on one side of the jaw is unique and affected how the molars on both sides of the upper jaw developed.
Abstract
An adult male Eastern Grey kangaroo from a wildlife reserve near Melbourne was submitted for necropsy examination and was discovered to have abnormal dentition. There was no evidence that any premolars or molars had ever been present on the right mandible, whilst the incisors were normal. The age of the kangaroo was estimated to be 1 year 9 months using the right maxillary molars and 2 years 4 months old using the contralateral side, presumably due to the asymmetry of the dental arcades. 'Lumpy jaw', a common periodontal disease of kangaroos, from which Bacteroides sp was cultured, was present on the base of the vertical ramus of the left mandible. Complete unilateral absence of premolar and molar teeth in the mandible of a kangaroo has not been described. This condition affected molar progression in both sets of maxillary molars.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18271832/