Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ก, more scientifically known as ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ are a form of ๐ก๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐จ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐, which is a fancy term for an extra tooth or teeth in a location outside of the normal dental arcade. Ear teeth, as the name suggests, tend to be found close to the base of the ear!
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Horses most commonly get this condition.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Ear teeth form during embryonic development, when a cystic structure that would normally disappear as the embryo grows ends up being retained in the fully developed animal. This structure contains nests of cells that are part of tooth development, so as the animal continues to develop, one or more teeth form within the cyst. Weird!
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Generally these teeth donโt cause any issues, however the cystic structure that contains them can sometimes form a ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ (draining tract) to the skin surface. This hole can sometimes ooze fluid, which disturbs owners and can impact the aesthetics of the animal.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
The best method of diagnosis is taking an X-ray of the skull to identify teeth in a location where teeth should not be! That X-ray, combined with the clinical signs and history, confirms the diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
While most owners choose to leave these cysts alone, some owners will want them removed. These cysts can be removed surgically with great success, and the horse can resume its horsey life free of a toothy ear.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-2) Two examples of the fistulas of dentigerous cysts oozing fluid. Gross.
3) A cool X-ray where they put probes into the fistulas of a horse with two dentigerous cysts, so you can see the probes following the fistula right to the weird teeth!4) A dentigerous cyst on a cross-section of the head.
5) A dentigerous cyst after being removed from the head, showing the teeth that grew!
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 2. Sixth Edition.
Barakzai SZ, Dixon PM. Dentigerous Cysts. Equine Veterinary Education 2012;24(11):579-581.
Smith LCR, Zedler ST, Gester S, Keane SE, Goodwin W, van Eps AW. Bilateral dentigerous cysts (heterotopic polyodontia) in a yearling Standardbred colt. Equine Veterinary Education 2012;24(11):575-578.
Photos 1-2 ยฉ LCR Smith et al.
Photo 3 ยฉ SZ Barakzai et al.
Photos 4-5 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributor King licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
