Treatment of Canine Tooth Fractures in the Northern Elephant Seal: Three Cases
- Teeth
- Surgery
Abstract
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.
Hodesson, D.L., Force, J., Whoriskey, S., Field, C. 2019. Treatment of canine tooth fractures in the Northern Elephant seal: three cases. J Vet Dentistry 361(1):52-61.
surgery
Cara Field
Sophie Whoriskey
Meet The Experts
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/sophie-whoriskey-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-0-0-2008-1489-1601938777.jpg","alt":"Sophie Whoriskey","title":"Sophie Whoriskey","text":"Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Veterinarian","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/sophie-whoriskey","link_text":"Read Bio"}
Related Publications
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/csl-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-4.jpg","alt":"California sea lion with mouth open, showing teeth","title":"Using Tooth Layers to Determine California Sea Lion Age","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/using-tooth-layers-to-determine-california-sea-lion-age","label":"Research Paper"}
Recent News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Hawaiian monk seals\/2023\/cropped-images\/hms-rh38-care-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-permit -24359-61-101-1270-1000-1689204921.jpg","alt":"hawaiian monk RH38 seal in a pen","title":"Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal RH38 Receiving Life-Saving Care at The Marine Mammal Center","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/hawaiian-monk-seal-rh38-receiving-lifesaving-care","label":"Press Release","date":"2023-07-12 04:55:00"}
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal RH38 Receiving Life-Saving Care at The Marine Mammal Center
Read More{"image":"\/Places\/PIER 39\/cropped-images\/pier-39-k-dock-sea-lions-sunrise-shutterstock-0-9-2628-2053-1687994835.jpg","alt":"PIER 39 K-Dock at sunrise filled with sea lions","title":"The Marine Mammal Center Partners with PIER 39 to Open Sea Lion Pop-up Exhibit Space, Provide Public Programming at K-Dock","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/sea-lion-pop-up-exhibit-space-at-k-dock","label":"Press Release","date":"2023-06-29 02:00:00"}
The Marine Mammal Center Partners with PIER 39 to Open Sea Lion Pop-up Exhibit Space, Provide Public Programming at K-Dock
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2016\/cropped-images\/hs-heyerdahl-pre-rescue-photo-c-rob-cala-608-6-4908-3833-1604444850.jpg","alt":"harbor seal pup on a sandy beach","title":"San Francisco Bay Area a Hot Spot for Marine Mammal Harassment, Experts Say","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/san-francisco-bay-area-a-hot-spot-for-marine-mammal-harassment-experts-say","label":"Press Release","date":"2023-06-05 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/two-seals-playing-shutterstock-250-0-3211-2510-1602631793.jpg","alt":"two seals playing on a beach","title":"Top Eco Friendly Father\u2019s Day Gifts that Give Back","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/eco-friendly-fathers-day-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2023-05-17 02:00:00"}