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Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa
Thesis (PhD (Companion Animal Clinical Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1869483749594365952 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Steenkamp, Gerhard |
| author_browse | Steenkamp, Gerhard |
| author_facet | Steenkamp, Gerhard |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Companion Animal Clinical Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/104349 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:03:56.927Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/104349 Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa Steenkamp, Gerhard quintin.norval@gmail.com Tordiffe, Adrian Norval, Quintin M. UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Projectional radiography Rodent skull anatomy Thesis (PhD (Companion Animal Clinical Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. Rodents, the most abundant mammalian order, are being increasingly kept as pets, which necessitates a deeper understanding of their health issues. One such issue is elodontomas, dental overgrowths that can obstruct rodent nasal passages, causing respiratory distress. The cause of elodontomas remains largely unclear, with hypotheses centred on captivity-related factors. To this end, this study investigates the potential aetiology of elodontomas in rodents. The work consists of three different studies. Firstly, the radiographic interpretation of the normal anatomy of rodent heads is described. Utilising the unique anatomical landmarks of rodent skulls, the normal anatomy can be differentiated to diagnose potential pathology, such as elodontomas. Secondly, a retrospective analysis of museum specimens from various South African rodent species was conducted to assess the prevalence of elodontomas in wild populations. The findings align with the existing notion that elodontomas are rare in wild rodents. Finally, a study examined 50 semi-wild and 50 wild Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) for the presence of elodontomas. The complete absence of elodontomas in these free-ranging animals strengthens the link between elodontoma development and captive environments, suggesting a potential role of husbandry practices in this pathology. This research emphasises the importance of proper husbandry for pet rodents and highlights the need for further investigation into the specific captive factors that contribute to elodontoma formation. AgriSETA Bursary, Grant Number: BC24UP-18.1 Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies (Developmental Fund) Companion Animal Clinical Studies PhD (Companion Animal Clinical Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Veterinary Science SDG-15: Life on land 2025-09-16T13:49:06Z 2025-09-16T13:49:06Z 2026-04 2025-05 Thesis * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/104349 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.30127150 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Projectional radiography Rodent skull anatomy Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title | Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title_full | Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title_short | Prevalence of elodontomas in Cape ground squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) and other rodents in South Africa |
| title_sort | prevalence of elodontomas in cape ground squirrels geosciurus inauris and other rodents in south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Projectional radiography Rodent skull anatomy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/104349 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.30127150 |