Cow teeth: cattle jaw structure anatomy, formula and layout

Cattle are ruminant artiodactyl mammals with a complex structure of the 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, a large load is placed on the teeth. By the condition of the teeth in cows, one can not only determine the age, but also prevent the development of possible diseases and pathologies.

The structure of the jaw in cattle

The anatomy of the digestive tract of artiodactyls is different from that of other livestock species.Due to the lack of sharp fangs, claws, livestock are easy prey for predators. Therefore, in the process of evolution, representatives of this species of animals formed a special way of eating. Cattle are first plucked, swallowed food, and then in a calm environment they finish chewing hay, grass.

Important! Having an idea about the structure of the jaw in cattle, the features of the gastrointestinal tract, it is possible to prevent the development of many diseases, systemic failures, pathologies.

Cattle teeth are strong enamel organs. Lips, tongue, bone plate, secretion of salivary glands take part in the capture, grinding, grinding of feed. Artiodactyls lack incisor teeth and fangs. Their functions are taken over by a solid solid bone plate. Therefore, cows appear to be missing upper teeth. Cattle have developed jaw muscles. The lower jaw has more mobility; when chewing food, it moves only clockwise. The top remains stationary.

Important! The lower jaw of cattle is already upper. Due to this anatomical structure, ruminants chew, grind food on different sides of the jaw.

The teeth of cows are arranged in arcades. The diagram of the jaw in cattle includes:

Incisors (incisor teeth). Grab food, cut grass. Flat shovel shape. They have slightly rounded edges, 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, chew food. Between the premolars and molars there is an edentulous interalveolar margin, which is formed by the gum. 24 premolars and molars arranged in three pairs on each arcade.

The dental formula is individual and may change throughout life. It is recorded by the veterinarian in the animal's veterinary card during the examination of the oral cavity. Each dental unit is indicated in the formula by a certain letter of the Latin alphabet:

J - incisors;
P - premolars;
M - molars.

Quantitative indicators of dental units of the upper jaw are recorded in numerators, and on the lower - in the denominator. If the tooth is missing, the number "0" is put. Letters, numeric values occupy a certain place in the formula. Teeth are regularly monitored by veterinarians. A veterinarian examines, monitors the state of the oral cavity of ruminants from birth. All changes that are associated with the development, change, diseases of dental units are made to the individual veterinary cards of the animal. When diagnosing dental problems opposite the letter, the number indicates the pathology.

How to determine the age of a cow by teeth

The age of the cattle is determined by the change in the state of the incisors. With age, the dental units are erased, the color of the enamel changes, it is shortened, and the dentin becomes thinner. Calves are born with four to six incisors.Milk teeth are sharp at the ends, with thin enamel. At a week old, a calf should have 7-9 milk teeth. Borders are forming.

Caves have three teeth in each jaw per month. At six months, the fourth molar is formed, the margins are fully developed.

Important! In calves, the incisors are constantly growing and become the same size by three months. The enamel on the incisors begins to gradually wear off after four months of age.

By 12-13 months, the enamel is worn off on the lingual surface of the hooks. At 14-15 months, the enamel is completely worn off on the middle inner teeth, and by 17-18 months - on the middle, outer edges. In 1.6-2 years, the holds change. At the age of five years, cattle have permanent hooks. At five or six years, the incisors acquire a square shape. By the age of 7-8 years, the enamel disappears from the surface of the hooks in cattle. By the age of seven, the hooks are practically erased to the ground.Yellowish enamel.

By the age of 10-12, gaps are noticeable between the teeth. The hooks are trimmed. The enamel acquires a yellowish tint, completely disappears from the edges. The dentin is thinned. By the age of 13.5-14 years, the incisors are worn down to the neck and have an oval surface. The enamel is almost completely gone. 15-17-year-old animals have practically no teeth. Only roots or stumps remain.

Important! In cattle, the lower lip sags with age, and the lower jaw slightly protrudes forward due to the fact that the incisors, developing, gradually begin to occupy their main place in the oral cavity.

It is not always possible to accurately determine the age by the teeth. The change, the degree of erasure of the enamel of the incisive dental units depends on the general state of he alth, genetics, precocity, breed, individual, physiological characteristics of the organism, as well as on the type of feed consumed.

Thus, in representatives of meat breeds, teeth erupt and grow faster than, for example, in cattle of dairy, dairy and meat directions. Therefore, after assessing their condition, the age of the cattle is determined by average indicators.

Number of teeth

The number of dental units in cattle depends not only on age, but also on diet, quality of nutrition, conditions of detention, care, and he alth. An adult he althy cow or bull has 32 permanent teeth. Of which 24 root long-crown, eight 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 indigenous.

Shift symptoms

Enamel wear in calves occurs after the end of the milk period, namely, the transfer from colostrum to more solid natural food (haylage, compound feed, cereals).

Important! The change of milk dental units in a calf occurs at four to five months. During this period, pay attention to the quality of feeding. Diets of young animals are enriched with vitamin and mineral supplements with a high content of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3.

Shift symptoms:

increase in temperature by 0.5-1.5 degrees;
decreased activity, lethargy, apathy;
increased thirst;
appetite decrease due to acute pain syndrome, complete rejection of roughage;
slight weight loss, reduced daily weight gain;
staggering, shakiness of teeth;
profuse salivation;
reducing milk production, productivity.

Change of milk to permanent teeth in cattle begins with hooks at the age of 11-12 months. It occurs in several stages and lasts up to five years. The front teeth are erased first, then the internal incisors and hooks. Gradually loosen, middle incisors fall out.

At 1.5-2 years, the edges (the outermost pairs of incisors) are ground down. After the hooks fall out, molars are formed in their place.

Possible diseases of teeth and bison

To prevent dental problems, especially during the period of changing teeth, diets should be enriched with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus. In this case, it is very important to calculate the dosage of minerals obtained from feed. An overdose of calcium, phosphorus increases the risk of developing dental problems, systemic failures.

Fluorosis may develop, which manifests itself:

changing the color of the enamel;
appearance of black pigment spots, 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 production.

Advice! At the first signs of fluorosis in cattle, diets are adjusted, 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 ingrown teeth are noted. Dental diseases can occur in acute, chronic form. They develop against the background of inflammatory processes, nutritional errors, autoimmune diseases, hypo-, beriberi, due to non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards, poor care, injury to the oral mucosa.

To avoid dental diseases, reduce the risk of their development, it is necessary to systematically examine the oral cavity of animals, treat systemic, dental pathologies in a timely manner when the first symptoms appear.

Zuboron

If young animals have lost teeth in barns, do not panic. Partial loss of dental units is associated with zuboron. Zuboron - the period of loss of milk upper dental units in young animals. New teeth do not grow. In their place, solid platinum is formed. Signs, symptoms of bison in cattle:

changes in behavior, lethargy, depression;
inadequate response to stimuli;
salivation;
violation of the integrity of the crown;
avoid solid, roughage;
shaky teeth units;
reduction in the volume of the scar, reduction of contractions of the proventriculus;
unstable temperature, 1.5-2 degrees higher than normal;
decrease in daily gains, productivity.

So that the cow does not experience discomfort, pain when eating, juicy, soft, easily digestible feed should prevail in the diet. The diet is being adjusted, the way food is served is changing. Roughage is crushed, steamed with boiling water. Vegetables, grains are boiled, chopped. Give chilled food to animals.

Grinding teeth

Squeaking occurs due to friction of the teeth and can be caused by a variety of reasons, systemic disorders, functional failures in the body of ruminants.

Causes of teeth grinding in cattle:

Osteomalacia. Bone dystrophy, alimentary osteodystrophy occur in an acute or, most often, chronic form. For a long time, pathology may not manifest itself in any way.It is diagnosed in cows during the period of intensive growth, development, after the completion of bone tissue formation. The main reason is a violation of metabolic processes, a deficiency of minerals and vitamins. The disease is manifested by constant strong grinding of teeth, thinning of bone tissue, impaired development, and reduced productivity.
Poisoning of various nature. Poisoning can be caused by fertilizers, chemicals, nitrates, nitrites, poor quality, rotten feed. Manifested by intestinal disorders (diarrhea, vomiting, food refusal), sudden weight loss, unstable temperature, muscle spasms, changes in behavior. Severe intoxication can cause death.
Worm infestations. Helminthiases can also provoke teeth grinding. Parasites poison the body with the products of their vital activity, disrupt the processes of digestion, and negatively affect the functioning of internal organs. Young growth lags behind in growth, development, poorly gaining weight.Immunity decreases, metabolism and digestive processes are disturbed.

To avoid serious he alth problems, systemic failures in the work of internal organs and systems, you can not leave the grinding of teeth in cattle without attention. The cause of this condition will be determined by the veterinarian based on the results of the diagnostic tests.