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Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population

Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2018.

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Other Authors: Steenkamp, Gerhardus
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Steenkamp, Gerhardus
author_browse Steenkamp, Gerhardus
author_facet Steenkamp, Gerhardus
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 Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2018.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107106
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:42.450Z
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
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107106 Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population Steenkamp, Gerhardus roxanne.emslie@outlook.com Zeiler, Gareth Edward Emslie, Roxanne UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Dental Oral Maxillofacial Serval Wild Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2018. Objective: Members of the family Felidae suffer from a wide range of dental, oral and maxillofacial conditions. These conditions can cause significant morbidity and mortality. However, no studies could be found investigating the dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in serval (Leptailurus serval). Serval are frequently kept in captivity and occasionally as household pets. Having knowledge of the pathology affecting wild serval would greatly assist in improving preventative care practices and the welfare of serval in captivity. The objective of this study was therefore to describe the dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology of a wild serval population. Animals: Thirty wild serval, which occur naturally on the Sasol Synfuels Operations property in Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa; were examined for dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology. Methods: Detailed extraoral and intraoral examinations, as well as full-mouth dental radiographs, were performed on each anaesthetised serval. Results: Fourteen different conditions affecting the teeth were recorded, but no oral or maxillofacial pathology was found. The most common dental pathology observed was tooth wear affecting 67% of the serval examined. Dental fractures, including complicated crown fractures, uncomplicated crown fractures and root fractures, were diagnosed in 23% of the serval. The two canine teeth with complicated crown fractures also displayed grey discolouration clinically and periapical radiolucencies radiographically. Abnormal root morphology was apparent at the maxillary canines in 20% of cases. Supernumerary roots of maxillary third premolar teeth and supernumerary mandibular premolar teeth were noted in 17% and 10% of serval examined, respectively. Other dental abnormalities identified less frequently included rotated teeth, retained deciduous roots, enamel defects and tooth resorption. Conclusion: This study indicates that intraoral and extraoral examinations, as well as dental radiography, are important aspects of the clinical evaluation of wild felines. These findings are particularly interesting as the study population represents the highest density of serval ever recorded, with their habitat consisting primarily of disturbed wetland and grassland directly surrounding a highly active industrial site. This demonstrates that even the most unexpected sectors and opportunities can be used to advance conservation efforts and to provide knowledge to assist in improving the husbandry of captive wild animals. Companion Animal Clinical Studies MSc (Veterinary Sciences) Unrestricted Faculty of Veterinary Science SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-15: Life on land 2025-12-08T06:57:01Z 2025-12-08T06:57:01Z 2019 2018-11 Dissertation * A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107106 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)
Dental
Oral
Maxillofacial
Serval
Wild
Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title_full Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title_fullStr Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title_full_unstemmed Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title_short Dental, oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval (Leptailurus serval) population
title_sort dental oral and maxillofacial pathology in a wild serval leptailurus serval population
topic UCTD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dental
Oral
Maxillofacial
Serval
Wild
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107106