Age estimation in young dogs by radiographic assessment of the canine pulp cavity/tooth width ratio

Diagnostic yield of dental radiography and digital tomosynthesis for the identification of anatomic structures in dogs

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a novel imaging modality, digital tomosynthesis (DT), for identification of predefined anatomic dental and maxillomandibular structures in dogs.

Methods

DT images were compared to conventional intraoral dental radiography (DR) for the diagnostic yield regarding the presence and quality of visualization of 35 structures. DT imaging and full mouth DR were obtained on 16 canine cadaver heads and a semi-quantitative scoring system was used to characterize the ability of each imaging method to identify the anatomic structures.

Results

The results demonstrated that each imaging modality, and orientation, was superior for certain anatomic structures.

Discussion

Overall, although one modality did not prove superior to the other, digital tomosynthesis appears to be an appropriate novel tool for identification of specific anatomic structures in the dog skull.

Morphometrical and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Kidney as an Indirect Parameter to Estimate Age in Puppies in Veterinary Forensic Pathology

Estimation of age represents a central focus in the veterinary forensic pathology field. Currently, the visual examination of the dentition and the skeletal age are the main methods to estimate the age of puppies. Nevertheless, these methods are affected by a broad range of variables. In contrast, the kidney is characterized by a specific postnatal development. In human glomerulogenesis, fetal mesangial cells change their immunohistochemical phenotypes with maturation. Therefore, we hypothesized that histological and immunohistochemical examinations of the kidney can be used together as an indirect parameter for age determination in puppies' cadavers. Forty-five puppies' cadavers were divided into five groups defined by age (Group A= 0-15 days, Group B = 16-45 days, Group C = 46-85 days, Group D = 86-105 days, Group E= 105-365 days). For each case, kidney samples were collected and processed for histopathological (for morphometrical study of the glomerulus) and immunohistochemical (for the immunolocalization of the α-SMA protein) studies. Morphometrical study allowed us to observe statistical differences in the mean glomerulus numbers per field among assessed groups. Similarly, immunohistochemical examination showed differences in SMA expression among groups. Our findings suggest a potential use of kidney morphometrical and immunohistochemical examinations together as an indirect parameter to assess the age of illegally imported puppies.

Changes in the Dentition of Small Dogs up to 4 Months of Age

It is common practice in EU member states to permit the entry of dogs vaccinated against rabies at the age of at least 3 months. In the absence of easily applicable comparative data, subjective disputes emerge around age. The aim of our study was to observe the development of dog teeth. During birth, an abnormally lying Yorkshire Terrier fetus was stuck in the birth canal, which led to a caesarean section, hence, the exact date of birth was known. For the next 4 months, two puppies were examined weekly, and they showed the same development. The dogs were born without teeth. At the age of 4.5 weeks, the canines I appeared, together with the adjacent incisors (i3), and the second incisor (i2) also erupted at the age of 6 weeks. A week later, a first incisor (i1) also appeared. From the age of 2.5 months, the distance between the teeth was increasing, especially on the upper dental arch. At 3.5 months of age, only the bottom front incisors (i1) had not grown in a row, and the significant distance between the top incisors, comparable to the width of the tooth, was striking. Since only two dogs of one breed were involved in this case study, the observations cannot be generalized.