Dental Disease in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Its Risk Factors—A Private Practice Study in the Metropolitan Region of Chile

SIMPLE SUMMARY: There has been an increase in domestic rabbit ownership in the recent years. The type of dentition of this exotic (non-traditional) animal pet, predisposes it to the development of Acquired Dental Disease (ADD), a disease that affects tooth quality, generates malocclusion, among other dental and non-dental consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the factors that modify the risk for ADD in domestic pet rabbits. For this, 1420 owned rabbits’ clinical records from a private practice from 2018 to 2021 were used, recording several variables, including the clinical signs at diagnosis. ADD was detected in 25.4% of the individuals, mostly on their cheek teeth. In addition, age and sex (male) were found to be significant risk factors for ADD. In contrast, a free lifestyle and consuming hay in the diet were protective factors. Understanding the factors that modify the risk of ADD increases the chances of prevention and helps to improve the education of owners and/or guardians of domestic rabbits. ABSTRACT: Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have elodont dentition, a characteristic that predisposes them to the development of Acquired Dental Disease (ADD), which is a multifactorial disease. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for ADD in domestic pet rabbits. To do this, a retrospective analysis of 1420 rabbits treated at a private practice during 2018–2021 was performed. For this, several variables were retrieved from clinical records, in addition to signology at the time of diagnosis. ADD was found on 25.4% of rabbits, mostly on their cheek teeth. In addition, age (OR = 1.029; 95% CI = 1.023–1.035; p < 0.001) and sex (male) (OR = 1.591; 95% CI = 1.226–2.064; p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors for ADD. In contrast, a free lifestyle (OR = 0.565; 95% CI = 0.362–0.882; p = 0.012) and consuming hay in the diet (OR = 0.323; 95% CI = 0.220–0.473; p < 0.001) were protective factors. In conclusion, ADD has a high prevalence and is usually underdiagnosed, highlighting the need for an exhaustive evaluation of patients during the clinical examination. This study improves our knowledge of ADD and its prevention.