Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline caries in two cats from a 13th century archeological excavation.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary dentistry
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Berger, Marianne et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Researchers found dental problems in the jawbones of two cats from a 13th-century archaeological site. These issues included small areas of decay on their teeth that were not visible on X-rays, with one tooth showing a noticeable white spot and another having decay at the root. Special tests confirmed that these were early stages of tooth decay. This study marks the first time dental decay in cats has been documented in history.
Abstract
Mandibles of two cats containing carious lesions were discovered among the previously published findings of feline dental resorptive lesions from materials examined at an archaeological museum. These lesions were too small to be noted on radiographs, and consisted of two inconspicuous enamel lesions in a mandibular left first molar tooth (309), a clinically visible white spot area containing an enamel lesion in a mandibular left fourth premolar tooth (308), and a root surface caries in the 308 of a different specimen. Histologic examination using special stains and polarized light revealed both initial and early initial stage enamel caries, as well as root surface caries. Knoop hardness measurements confirmed these findings, considered the first documented cases of feline caries.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16718991/