Measurement of Dietary and Dentifrice Effects Upon Calculus Accumulation Rates in the Domestic Ferret

Abstract

Most animal models for the study of calculus accumulation and control currently use rodents or dogs. In an effort to overcome limitations inherent in the use of these species, we investigated calculus formation in domestic ferrets, a species used by King et al. in the 1940's and 1950's. Ferrets are much smaller than dogs, and, unlike rodents, can be scored while alive. In this study, we examined the kinetics of calculus formation in female ferrets fed with moist canned cat food-either plain or supplemented with sucrose-and two combinations of mineral salts. An additional group given supplemented cat food was treated twice daily with regular Crest toothpaste. Animals were sedated with a 1:1 mixture of ketamine and xylazine solutions and given a mechanical prophylaxis prior to the trial period, then scored for area and extent of calculus accumulation at two, four, six, and eight weeks thereafter. The data showed that the mineral-supplemented groups accumulated calculus at a significantly faster rate than the unsupplemented or dentifrice-treated groups, but the differences were no longer significant at eight weeks. This demonstrated that the ferret is a suitable model for the study of calculus, that dietary mineral content influenced calculogenesis, and that the application of regular dentifrice initially slowed, but did not prevent, calculus accumulation.