Cattle are ruminant artiodactyl mammals with a complex digestive tract. Due to the ability to consume large volumes of feed, the gastrointestinal tract of cattle must quickly digest food. In order for the body to absorb nutrients from food, teeth have to bear a lot of strain. Based on the condition of a cow’s teeth, one can not only determine the age of cows, but also prevent the development of possible diseases and pathologies.
Jaw structure in cattle
The anatomy of the digestive tract of artiodactyls differs from that of other livestock species.Due to the lack of sharp fangs and claws, livestock are easy prey for predators. Therefore, in the process of evolution, representatives of this species of animals have developed a special way of eating. The cattle are first plucked, swallow the feed, and then chew hay and grass in a calm environment.
Important! Having an idea of the structure of the jaw in cattle and the features of the gastrointestinal tract, you can prevent the development of many diseases, systemic failures, and pathologies.
Cattle teeth are strong enamel organs. The lips, tongue, bone plate, and the secretion of the salivary glands take part in the capture, grinding, and grinding of feed. Artiodactyls lack incisor teeth and fangs. Their functions are taken over by a solid solid bone plate. This is why cows appear to be missing their upper teeth. Cattle have developed jaw muscles. The lower jaw has greater mobility; When chewing food, it moves only clockwise. The top one remains motionless.
Cows' teeth are arranged in arcades. The jaw diagram of cattle includes:
- Incisors (incisor teeth). They grab food and cut grass. Flat spatulate shape. They have slightly rounded edges and come in different sizes. Located in front, on the lower jaw. The first two incisors (pair) are hooks. The middle ones are located on the right and left sides.
- Premolars, molars. Grind and chew food. Between the premolars and molars there is a toothless interalveolar edge, which is formed by the gum. 24 premolars and molars are arranged in three pairs on each arcade.
The dental formula is individual and can change throughout life.It is recorded by the veterinarian in the animal’s veterinary card during an examination of the oral cavity. Each dental unit is designated in the formula by a specific letter of the Latin alphabet:
- J – incisors;
- P – premolars;
- M – molars.
Quantitative indicators of the dental units of the upper jaw are recorded in the numerators, and in the lower jaw - in the denominator. If a tooth is missing, the number “0” is entered. Letters and digital values occupy a certain place in the formula. The teeth are subject to systematic veterinary monitoring. A veterinarian examines and monitors the condition of the oral cavity of ruminant animals from birth. All changes that are associated with the development, change, and diseases of dental units are entered into the individual veterinary cards of the animal. When diagnosing dental problems, pathology is indicated opposite the letter and number.
How to determine the age of a cow by its teeth
The age of the cattle is determined by changes in the condition of the incisors. With age, dental units wear out, the color of the enamel changes, the dentin shortens and becomes thinner. Calves are born with four to six incisors. Milk teeth are sharp at the ends, with thin enamel. At one week of age, the calf should have 7-9 milk teeth. Edges are formed.
Calves develop three teeth on each jaw per month. At six months, the fourth molar is formed and the margins are fully developed.
Important! In calves, the incisors are constantly growing and by three months they become the same size. The enamel on the incisors begins to gradually wear off after reaching the age of four months.
By 12-13 months, abrasion of the enamel on the lingual surface of the hooks is noted. At 14-15 months, the enamel is completely erased on the middle internal hooks, and by 17-18 months - on the middle, outer edges. At 1.6-2 years the holds change. At the age of five years, cattle have permanent toes.At five to six years of age, the incisors become square in shape. By the age of 7-8 years, enamel disappears from the surface of the toes in cattle. By the age of seven, the hooks are practically worn down to the ground. Yellowish enamel.
By the age of 10-12 years, gaps are noticeable between the teeth. The hooks are hewn. The enamel acquires a yellowish tint and completely disappears from the edges. Dentin is thinned. By the age of 13.5-14 years, the incisors are worn down to the neck and have an oval surface shape. The enamel almost completely disappears. 15-17 year old animals have practically no teeth. Only roots or stumps remain.
Important! In cattle, with age, the lower lip droops, and the lower jaw protrudes slightly forward due to the fact that the incisors, as they develop, gradually begin to occupy their main place in the oral cavity.
It is not always possible to accurately determine age by looking at teeth. The change and degree of abrasion of the enamel of the incisal dental units depend on the general state of health, genetics, precocity, breed, individual, physiological characteristics of the body, as well as on the type of food consumed.
Thus, in representatives of meat breeds, teeth erupt and grow faster than, for example, in cattle of dairy, dairy and meat production. Therefore, after assessing their condition, the age of cattle is determined by average indicators.
Number of teeth
The number of teeth in cattle depends not only on age, but also on diet, quality of nutrition, living conditions, care, and health status. An adult healthy cow or bull has 32 permanent teeth. Of which 24 are long-crown molars, eight are incisors. All dental units must be formed before the age of five. Short-crowned incisors can be seen on the lower jaw. Behind them are the indigenous people.
Shift symptoms
The erasing of enamel in calves occurs after the end of the dairy period, namely, the transfer from colostrum to more solid natural food (haylage, mixed feed, grains).
Important! The replacement of primary teeth in a calf occurs at four to five months. During this period, attention is paid to the quality of feeding. The diets of young animals are enriched with vitamin and mineral supplements with a high content of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3.
Change symptoms:
- temperature increase by 0.5-1.5 degrees;
- decreased activity, lethargy, apathy;
- increased thirst;
- loss of appetite due to acute pain syndrome, complete refusal of roughage;
- slight weight loss, decrease in daily live weight gain;
- staggering, loose teeth;
- profuse salivation;
- decrease in milk yield and productivity.
The replacement of milk teeth with permanent teeth in cattle begins with hooking at the age of 11-12 months. It occurs in several stages and lasts up to five years. The front teeth are worn down first, then the internal incisors and hooks. The middle incisors gradually become loose and fall out.
At 1.5-2 years the edges (outer pairs of incisors) are worn down. After the hooks fall out, molar dental units form in their place.
Possible dental diseases and dentures
To prevent dental problems, especially during the period of teeth change, diets should be enriched with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. In this case, it is very important to calculate the dosage of minerals received with feed. An overdose of calcium and phosphorus increases the risk of developing dental problems and systemic failures.
Fluorosis may develop, which manifests itself:
- change in enamel color;
- the appearance of black pigment spots and dots on the surface of the teeth;
- partial, complete destruction of dentin, enamel;
- development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
- indigestion;
- weight loss;
- drooling;
- decrease in milk yield.
Advice! At the first signs of fluorosis in cattle, diets are adjusted and the amount of mineral supplements is reduced. In severe cases, the veterinarian prescribes symptomatic treatment aimed at normalizing the condition.
In addition to fluorosis, stomatitis, gingivitis of various etiologies, abnormal growth, curvature, and ingrowth of teeth are noted. Dental diseases can occur in acute or chronic form. They develop against the background of inflammatory processes, dietary errors, autoimmune diseases, hypo-, avitaminosis, due to non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards, poor care, injury to the oral mucosa.
To avoid dental diseases and reduce the risk of their development, it is necessary to systematically examine the oral cavity of animals and promptly treat systemic and dental pathologies when the first symptoms appear.
Zuboron
If you find lost teeth in young animals in barns, do not panic. Partial loss of teeth is associated with dentition. Dental period is the period of loss of primary upper teeth in young animals. New teeth don't grow. In their place, solid platinum is formed. Signs and symptoms of zuboron in cattle:
- changes in behavior, lethargy, depression;
- inadequate response to stimuli;
- salivation;
- violation of the integrity of the crown;
- refusal of solid, roughage;
- looseness of teeth;
- reduction in the volume of the scar, reduction in contractions of the proventriculus;
- unstable temperature, increase from normal by 1.5-2 degrees;
- reduction in daily gains and productivity.
To prevent the cow from experiencing discomfort or pain when eating food, the diet should be dominated by juicy, soft, easily digestible feed. The diet is being adjusted and the way food is served is changing. Rough feed is crushed and steamed with boiling water. Vegetables and grains are boiled and crushed. Food is given to animals chilled.
Teeth grinding
Grinding occurs due to friction of teeth and can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, systemic disorders, and functional failures in the body of ruminants.
Causes of teeth grinding in cattle:
- Osteomalacia. Bone dystrophy and alimentary osteodystrophy occur in acute or, most often, chronic form. For a long time, the pathology may not manifest itself in any way. It is diagnosed in cows during a period of intensive growth and development, after the completion of bone tissue formation. The main reason is metabolic disorders, deficiency of minerals and vitamins. The disease is manifested by constant strong grinding of teeth, thinning of bone tissue, developmental disorders, and decreased productivity.
- Poisoning of various types. Poisoning can be caused by fertilizers, chemicals, nitrates, nitrites, low-quality, rotten feed. Manifested by intestinal disorders (diarrhea, vomiting, refusal to eat), sudden weight loss, unstable temperature, muscle spasms, changes in behavior. Severe intoxication can cause death.
- Helminthic infestations. Helminth infections can also cause teeth grinding. Parasites poison the body with the products of their vital activity, disrupt digestion processes, and negatively affect the functioning of internal organs. Young animals lag behind in growth and development, and gain weight poorly.Immunity decreases, metabolism and digestive processes are disrupted.
To avoid serious health problems, systemic failures in the functioning of internal organs and systems, the grinding of teeth in cattle should not be left unattended. The cause of this condition will be determined by a veterinarian based on the results of diagnostic tests.
