Risk factors for dental overgrowth in rabbits: A retrospective study using electronic health records.

Brachycephalic, male, and older rabbits require dental disease surveillance; neutering appears protective.

This retrospective case-control study analyzed electronic health records from 2014-2023 to identify risk factors for dental overgrowth in rabbits, a common presentation with significant welfare implications. Among 749 rabbits with 1272 documented cases of overgrowth, incisors were involved in 67.7% of cases. Notable findings include a significant decline in tooth clipping procedures from 21.4% (2014) to complete absence by 2022, likely reflecting improved understanding of treatment modalities. Multivariate analysis identified several risk factors: brachycephalic breeds (OR 1.63), increasing age (OR 1.08 per year), and male sex (OR 1.80) were associated with higher overgrowth odds. Conversely, neutered rabbits demonstrated protective effects (OR 0.68). The study acknowledges limitations inherent to retrospective EHR data, including potential phenotype misclassification from incomplete or inaccurate recording. Findings support the need for targeted preventative health education and risk stratification strategies, particularly for high-risk populations, to reduce dental disease-associated welfare concerns in pet rabbits.

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