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.
surgery
Cara Field
Sophie Whoriskey
Meet The Experts
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/sophie-whoriskey-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-0-0-2008-1489-1601938777.jpg","alt":"Sophie Whoriskey","title":"Sophie Whoriskey","text":"Associate Director, Hawai\u2019i Conservation Medicine","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/sophie-whoriskey","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cara-field.jpg","alt":"Cara Field","title":"Cara Field","text":"Director, Conservation Medicine","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/cara-field","link_text":"Read Bio"}
Related Publications
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/csl-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-4.jpg","alt":"California sea lion with mouth open, showing teeth","title":"Using Tooth Layers to Determine California Sea Lion Age","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/using-tooth-layers-to-determine-california-sea-lion-age","label":"Research Paper"}
Recent News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Elephant seal\/cropped-images\/elephant-seal-mom-and-pup-photo-c-brian-simuro-156-0-1270-992-1748974858.jpeg","alt":"Northern elephant seal and pup","title":"The New York Times: Racing to Save California\u2019s Elephant Seals From Bird Flu","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-new-york-times-racing-to-save-californias-elephant-seals-from-bird-flu","label":"In the News","date":"2025-06-03 02:00:00"}
The New York Times: Racing to Save California’s Elephant Seals From Bird Flu
June 3, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Gray whale\/cropped-images\/a-dead-gray-whalesf-bay40225photo-c-the-marine-mammal-center-53-0-1270-992-1748642560.jpg","alt":"a dead gray whale in the water with birds flying above","title":"NBC News: Six dead gray whales found in San Francisco Bay area in the last week","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/nbc-news-six-dead-gray-whales-found-in-san-francisco-bay-area-in-the-last-week","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-29 02:00:00"}
NBC News: Six dead gray whales found in San Francisco Bay area in the last week
May 29, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-hoffman47927-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-124-0-1270-992-1748384535.jpg","alt":"An An elephant seal\u2019s face with long black whiskers and wide eyes emerges from the water. ","title":"Adaptations of the Deep: Seal Whiskers and Eyes","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/adaptations-of-the-deep-seal-whiskers-and-eyes","label":"Patient Update","date":"2025-05-28 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/two-seals-playing-shutterstock-250-0-3211-2510-1602631793.jpg","alt":"two seals playing on a beach","title":"Meaningful Father\u2019s Day Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/eco-friendly-fathers-day-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2025-05-09 12:37:57"}
