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Put Your Sea Otter Knowledge to the Test

We’re celebrating sea otters all month long! How well do you know these otter-ly cool creatures?

Put your knowledge to the test with our new trivia! Get ready for fun sea otter facts and get a glimpse into what is being done to protect these special marine mammals.

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Sea otter
northern elephant seal with mouth open, showing teeth

Treatment of Canine Tooth Fractures in the Northern Elephant Seal: Three Cases

  • Teeth
  • Surgery

Abstract

The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, California, rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of stranded northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) each year. Common causes for stranding include maternal separation, malnutrition, and trauma. Causes of trauma include shark bites, conspecific interactions, and anthropogenic factors. Several cases of fractured teeth, secondary to presumed trauma, are presented to the center each year. This case series describes surgical approach and treatment of 3 young northern elephant seals that were admitted to TMMC for rehabilitation with tooth fractures with pulp exposure of maxillary or mandibular canine teeth. All 3 seals were successfully released into their natural environment.


Hodesson, D.L., Force, J., Whoriskey, S., Field, C. 2019. Treatment of canine tooth fractures in the Northern Elephant seal: three cases. J Vet Dentistry 361(1):52-61.

teeth
surgery
Cara Field
Sophie Whoriskey

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