Feline “Odontolysis” in the 1920's: The Forgotten Histopathological Study of Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL)

Abstract

This article reviews an historic description of feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL) from the 1920's. Hopewell-Smith describes the complete resorption process of feline permanent premolar teeth in remarkable detail, using 14 excellent photomicrographs. Resorptive lesions in cats were seen in the early part of this century, however the prevalence of this condition in domestic cats appears to have increased concurrently with certain aspects of domestication since the 1960's.