Treatment of Canine Tooth Fractures in the Northern Elephant Seal ( Mirounga angustirostris ): Three Cases

The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, California, rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of stranded northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris) each year. Common causes for stranding include maternal separation, malnutrition, and trauma. Causes of trauma include shark bites, c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Veterinary Dentistry
Main Authors: Hodesson, Deborah L., Force, Judy, Whoriskey, Sophie, Field, Cara
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publications 2019
Subjects:
General Veterinary
Elephant Seal
Elephant Seals
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0898756419842396
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0898756419842396
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/0898756419842396
Description
Summary:The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, California, rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of stranded northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris) each year. Common causes for stranding include maternal separation, malnutrition, and trauma. Causes of trauma include shark bites, conspecific interactions, and anthropogenic factors. Several cases of fractured teeth, secondary to presumed trauma, are presented to the center each year. This case series describes surgical approach and treatment of 3 young northern elephant seals that were admitted to TMMC for rehabilitation with tooth fractures with pulp exposure of maxillary or mandibular canine teeth. All 3 seals were successfully released into their natural environment.

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