Abstract

The early detection of oral lesions is essential in zoo and wildlife medicine in order to prevent losses. In preventive medicine programs for captive animals, the oral examination is an obligatory clinical procedure. The entire collection of small neotropical felids at the São Paulo Zoo was submitted to a full clinical examination under general anesthesia, including a detailed examination of the oral cavity. The examined group was composed of 85 individuals: five ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), six margays (L. wiedii), nine Geoffroy’s cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi), nine Pampas cat (O. colocolo), 23 jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), and 33 oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). The most frequent lesions found were: gingivitis 76/85 (89.4%), dental calculus 75/85 (88.2%), gingival retraction 65/85 (76.4%), dental erosion 14/85 (16.4%), dental fractures 24/85 (28.2%), dental pulp exposition 17/85 (20%), furca exposition 16/85 (18.8%), gingival pouch 10/85 (11.7%), dental excessive mobility 2/85 (2.3%), dental darkening 7/85 (8.2%). The lesions described were very important to evaluate not only for the potential risk of secondary diseases, but also to correct management errors and to perform specific treatments.