Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo
Two big cats at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio were diagnosed with dental problems that required root canal treatment to save their teeth.1 An 8-year-old Malaysian tiger named Zero and a 5-year-old cheetah named Barafu both required root canal treatment after being examined by veterinarians at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.
The dental procedures were performed by Jamie Berning, DVM, DAVDC, a veterinary dentist at Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio in Columbus. Barafu the cheetah required two extractions in addition to root canal treatment, and Zero the Malayan tiger required root canals on two canines.1
“We found fractures and exposed marrow. In humans, you would do a root canal to repair this, and in big cats the procedure is similar,” said Jessica Heinz, DVM, a veterinarian at the Cincinnati Zoo, in a press release.1 “We have worked with Dr. Berning before and were thrilled that she agreed to help Zero and Barafu.”
A study from 2023, which was Journal of Veterinary Dentistry evaluated dental and oral pathologies in big cats.2 The study looked specifically at lions and tigers and was inspired by a significant increase in dental disease in captive big cats over the past few decades. The researchers performed oral examinations on 36 animals, 8 of the animals were presented specifically for oral examination, and the rest were examined under anesthesia as they were not related to medically necessary procedures.
In 19 of the 28 cats that underwent routine dental examinations and had no previous history of dental disease, pathological changes that had not been previously identified were found. The study reported that dentoalveolar trauma, such as tooth fractures and wear, were the most commonly diagnosed in 24 of the 36 cats. The researchers concluded that the results suggest a link between housing conditions and dental disease in big cats, and also stressed the importance of regular dental examinations.2
“Good dental health is a key contributor to longevity, and we hope these procedures will extend the lives of these animals and improve their quality of life,” Heinz said.1 “Both cats have recovered well after the operation and are able to return to their normal daily routine.”
Visitors can find Zero at the zoo, although Barafu lives in the zoo’s off-site breeding facility and contributes to the population of critically endangered cheetahs. The global cheetah population has declined from 100,000 in 1900 to 7,000 today.1 The Malayan tigers are also considered an endangered species. According to reports, there are currently fewer than 150 Malayan tigers living in the wild.3
References
- Cincinnati Zoo veterinarians get to the root of tiger and cheetah dental problems. Press release. Cincinnati Zoo. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024. https://cincinnatizoo.org/cincinnati-zoo-vets-get-to-the-root-of-tiger-and-cheetah-dental-problems/
- Kopp E, Stelzer P, Lendl C, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Fahrenkrug P. Assessment of dental and oral pathologies of 36 captive lions (Panthera leo) and tigers (Panthera tigris). J Vet Dent. 2023;40(4):314-328. doi:10.1177/08987564231159805
- The Malayan Tiger Project. WWF. Retrieved August 16, 2024. https://www.wwf.org.my/the_malayan_tiger_project/
