Anatomy and Disorders of the Oral Cavity of Miscellaneous Exotic Companion Mammals

Abstract

Unusual mammalian species such as the hedgehog, sugar glider, and miniature pig are encountered with increasing frequency in exotic companion medicine. Disease of the oral cavity can occur in any species; although occasionally encountered in exotic mammalian species, it is rarely described in the literature. Anatomy and dentition vary significantly; diagnosis and treatment are often extrapolated from that known in other species. The best-documented disease of the oral cavity in this group of species is oral neoplasia in the hedgehog.

Keywords: Dental disease; Dentistry; Hedgehog; Miniature pig; Oral cavity; Sugar glider.