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Advanced dental disease/parathyroid levels

Santa

Santa

Wise Old Thumper
:wave: I've been having a nose at the FHB book and its comments on dental disease. At one point it says "parathyroid hormone levels are significantly lower in rabbits that live outside than in housed rabbits suffering from advanced dental disease."

Anyone have the faintest idea what she means by this? It's given as a stand-alone bullet point so there isn't any context for the non-veterinarian on what the significance is. (Box 7.2 p 177 if anyone cares to look!) It looks as if it might have something to do with vitamin D and calcium, but that's as far as I've ascertained!
 
Sorry, The only thing I know about the parathyroid is that is controls calcuim levels, which in turn affect the heart's rhythm. Was it referring to anaesthestics, as possibly this might be relevant then.:?
 
I expect it is to do with exposure to sunlight and Vit D increasing calcium uptake into bone and tissue, the parathyroid gland and hormones control blood calcium levels. Raised parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium levels (I think it is this way around) and therefore less uptake into bone, teeth etc...increased likelihood of dental disease? .....i'm just guessing! Light exposure and manufacture of Vit D probably has an influence on calcium absorption... outdoor buns more exposure to natural light.
I can't remember enough medicine any more - no idea if this is right! :lol:

Where's Judy!!! ;)
 
Thanks - that does make sense :)

Although I'm slighly more sceptical about their reasoning behind wild rabbits not getting it...I can't help but think that's largely to do with the fact that most wild rabbits don't live long enough to acquire dental disease and/or when they do, they die, so most live bunnies they examine won't have it!
 
Thats really interesting and good to to know.:)
I know metabolic bone disease can be a problem in reptiles if given the wrong UV levels and lack of calcium, but it is interesting to know why.
 
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