One of the most unsupported myths regarding ferrets is that if you give
them bones to eat, they will fracture their teeth on them.  Broken teeth
in wild carnivores and domesticated dogs are cited as proof it will
happen to pet ferrets.  Unfortunately, citing such fracture rates in wild
animals or dogs as proof for any single causative factor is extremely bad
science; how do you know the tooth was broken while eating bone and not
from a fall, defensive damage, while catching prey, playing, fighting
with others for mates or territory, or just running into something?  You
don t, and this study doesn t support the hypothesis, nor does modern
research.  As already discussed, tooth fracture rates are correlated to
the age of the animal.  Simply saying a tooth was broken while chewing
on a bone MAY be accurate in terms of what caused the immediate problem,
but in the vast majority of cases, the fracture was the result of
accumulated damage and the immediate cause was just the straw that broke
the ferret s tooth.  In this study, a careful examination of each broken
tooth showed a pattern of micro-fractures, enamel damage, and wear, all
suggesting the tooth fractured because of accumulated injury.
 
The important thing to note is that pet ferrets that do not typically eat
bone have a tooth fracture rate of 30%, yet feral New Zealand ferrets
that do consume bone have a tooth fracture rate less than 1/6th of that
amount.  It doesn t take a rocket scientist to realize the danger of a
ferret breaking a tooth on a bone is minor compared to the risk of
fracturing a tooth while being caged and eating kibble.  This doesn t
mean a pet ferret will never break a tooth on a bone, but it does
illustrate the danger is exaggerated compared to the risks of everyday
life.
 
Periodontal disease is probably not much of a factor in causing a broken
tooth although it is possible a loose tooth can shift in the socket
during a forceful bite and fracture.  The two main culprits are probably
cage biting and diet-associated tooth wear.  Cage biting not only wears
away the surfaces of the tooth to form a wire-sized notch, it also causes
tiny fractures to form in the enamel and dentine, significantly weakening
the tooth.  Abnormal dental wear, such as that caused from eating kibble,
will wear the tooth down, and as a result fractures will form in the
enamel.  It also changes how the teeth strike each other, increasing
mechanical stress on parts of the tooth not designed to withstand the
pressure.  Pet ferrets are also at high risk of accidental facial injury
(kicks, falls, etc.), which commonly fractures teeth, especially the
canines.
 
If your ferret has fractures a tooth, any tooth and any type of fracture,
they need to see a vet and have the tooth x-rayed.  Fractured teeth can
be repaired, although I am sure the cost is similar to human dental
repair.  Generally speaking, any fracture into a pulp chamber is serious.
The pulp chamber contains blood and lymph vessels, and a somewhat
sensitive nerve.  When exposed, it is open to bacterial invasion and
ultimately the pulp chamber will become infected and die.  Unfortunately,
the tooth will become quite painful during that process and the infection
can spread inside the jaw to cause other serious, even fatal, problems.
There is no reason why a ferret should have to withstand that type of
pain when it can be diminished or quelled.  Fractures through the enamel
and into the dentine do not allow bacteria direct entry to the pulp
chamber, but bacteria CAN enter via microscopic dental tubules.  This can
lead to a long-term smoldering infection in the pulp chamber that can
ultimately claim the tooth, or even the life of the ferret.  Any pink or
tan colored tooth should be inspected by a vet for infections in the pulp
chamber.  The tooth can become very sensitive; so painful that the ferret
may stop eating.  Even minor fractures to the enamel should be x-rayed
because they could extend deep into the tooth.  After the tooth is
inspected and x-rayed and the damage is documented, repairs can be made,
the tooth can be smoothed, and analgesics can be administered.  But it
all starts by taking the ferret to the vet.
 
In the next installment, I will summarize this series.
 
Bob C
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[Posted in FML issue 4520]