As the life span of companion animals increases and their owners’ concern for their quality of life increases, interest in dental diseases has also gained attention. While many studies have explored oral diseases in general, research on small-breed dogs remains limited. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed various diseases that led to tooth extraction in small- and medium-breed dogs. A study involving 2201 client-owned small- and medium-breed dogs was conducted. All dogs were categorized by sex, age, breed, and tooth position. Teeth were classified into untreated, missing, or extracted categories. For extracted teeth, 14 causes were identified. The results revealed that periodontal disease was the primary cause of tooth extractions, particularly in older dogs and small breeds. In addition to periodontal disease, various other diseases that led to tooth extraction were identified. For these other diseases, the number of extracted teeth increased with age, and brachycephalic breeds exhibited higher extraction rates. The study emphasizes the need for personalized oral care and further research into other contributing factors such as diet and genetics to better understand and manage oral health in dogs. It also offers valuable insights into the broader patterns of tooth extraction associated with various dental diseases.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diseases leading to tooth extraction in a large population of cats and to identify factors associated with each condition, including age, sex, breed, and tooth position.Methods: All cats underwent a thorough dental examination and full mouth dental radiographs to assess their oral health. Each tooth was classified according to its primary pathological condition, and extraction was performed based on clinical criteria specific to each disease. Tooth extractions were then performed using appropriate methods based on the condition of each tooth. For a detailed analysis of each disease, a comparative study was conducted considering factors such as sex, age, breed, and tooth position.Results: Periodontitis (33.41%), feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS, 32.40%), and tooth resorption (TR, 15.21%) were the three most frequent reasons for tooth extraction in cats. Periodontitis and TR tended to significantly increase in prevalence with age, while FCGS showed a decreasing trend with age. Periodontitis was most commonly observed in the maxillary first molar teeth and mandibular incisor teeth, and least frequently in the canine teeth, with no statistically significant differences by sex or breed. FCGS showed a higher prevalence in domestic shorthair cats, and a slightly higher extraction rate in intact females compared to spayed females. There were no statistically significant differences by tooth location. TR was most frequently found in the mandibular third premolar teeth, with no significant variation by sex. While some breeds showed higher TR prevalence, the distribution varied across breeds.Conclusions and relevance: This study underscores the importance of tailored dental care for cats, especially as they age, and highlights the need for further studies to explore the links between factors such as nutrition, genetics, and oral health. A better understanding of these aspects can lead to improved overall health and quality of life for cats.

A 6-year-old castrated male Shih-Tzu dog weighing 6. 5 kg presented with chief complaints of pollakiuria and urine dribbling. He had a history of urolithiasis for 3 years, which was confirmed by the presence of ammonium urate in the urinary stone analysis, performed 2 years prior to the presentation. Blood examination showed high values of fasting ammonia, post-prandial bile acid, and low blood urea nitrogen. Microhepatica and urolithiasis were identified on plain radiography and ultrasonography. A computed tomography angiography demonstrated a shunting vessel, diameter up to 9.6 mm, originated from the splenic vein, and linked with the phrenic vein. A surgical attenuation with a thin-film banding was performed under laparoscopic visualization. Left triangular ligament was incised, and one stay suture was placed to the stomach to expose the vessel. The shunting vessel was dissected before it entered the diaphragm, and a thin-film band was applied around the vessel. The patient recovered uneventfully without post-attenuation neurologic signs. Portal vein diameter increased with time, and complete closure of the shunting vessel was identified on computed tomography angiography performed at 14 months after attenuation. The patient was doing well for 31 months after surgery without protein restriction. This is a report of laparoscopic attenuation for splenophrenic type of canine congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt with a favorable outcome using thin-film banding.

Background: Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a challenging disease with unclear causes and limited treatment options. The most effective treatment for FCGS is tooth extraction. However, most cats require additional drug treatment for refractory FCGS even after undergoing extractions. We hypothesized that the combination of interferon-ω (IFN) and cyclosporine (CsA) would improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of IFN and CsA in FCGS using Stomatitis Disease Activity Index (SDAI) scores. In this study, the treatment process was divided into two stages: in the surgical stage (Stage 1), all cats underwent tooth extraction combined with submucosal IFN injection; in the immunomodulatory stage (Stage 2), additional IFN/CsA treatment was administered to cats with refractory FCGS. Results: The therapeutic response was monitored during treatment period using SDAI scores. The patients were classified into four groups by oral examination: Group A (Surgical remission), Group B (Substantial improvement to resolution), Group C (Partial improvement), and Group D (No response). Patients achieving complete remission following surgical treatment were classified into Group A (39.2% of all cases). Patients assessed as having refractory FCGS after surgical treatment accounted for 60.8% of all patients and were divided into three groups. Groups B, C, and D accounted for 52.1%, 45.2%, and 2.7% of refractory cases, respectively. In addition, the SDAI scores showed significant differences across groups at all time points. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses identified key SDAI thresholds for early classification: a T ₁ score cutoff of 6.5 and a T ₀ –T ₁ score change cutoff of − 14.5 effectively distinguished Group A. The long-term follow-up revealed that cats classified as “subs-resolution” at T ₆ were significantly more likely to sustain clinical improvement for ≥ 2 years than those in the “non-partial” group. Conclusion: This study showed that the combination of IFN and CsA is an effective therapeutic option for refractory FCGS, with more than half of treated cats showing clinical improvement and 76.5% of those achieving subs–resolution at 6 months maintaining remission for 2–6 years. These findings further indicate that evaluating SDAI scores six months after a three-month course of immunomodulatory therapy provides prognostic value for predicting long-term outcomes.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by severe caudal oral mucosal inflammation and frequently ne

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of root canal treatment (RCT) for canine teeth in cats by determining the optimal master apical file (MAF) size via a taperless rotary file system and comparing three different filling materials. Methods: A total of 83 fractured canine teeth from 78 cats were treated with a taperless nickel–titanium file system. Three different filling materials were used: (1) a silicone-based sealer with a single gutta-percha (GP) cone; (2) a bioceramic sealer with a single GP cone; and (3) a bioceramic plug at the apex followed by a silicone-based sealer and a GP cone for the residual pulp canal. The MAF size was determined by enlarging the apical portion to three International Organization for Standardization sizes beyond the initial apical file. Treatment outcomes were classified as success, no evidence of failure and failure. Outcome-related factors were identified via multivariable logistic regression. Results: The overall success rate was 91.6%. The bioceramic sealer showed the highest success rate (97%), followed by the bioceramic plug (95%) and the silicone-based sealer (83.3%). Overfill and pre-existing periapical lesions were significantly associated with reduced success. The overfill rates of bioceramic sealers and plugs were significantly lower than those of silicone-based sealers. The MAF size showed a significant positive correlation with body weight and a negative correlation with age. Conclusions and relevance: A taperless file system could be used to facilitate precise apical shaping tailored to the fusiform anatomy of canine teeth in cats and thus improve treatment outcomes. These findings support the use of bioceramic sealers in a single-cone obturation technique and highlight the importance of achieving an optimal MAF size to enhance the success of RCT for canine teeth in cats.