Wear and tear on sea lion teeth is a known, common problem for sea lions in captivity and in the Wild. 81% of adult teeth in wild California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) showed signs of abrasions, with male animals being more predisposed than female (see Sinai et al. 2014). Overall attrition/abrasion was the most common acquired dental lesion, found in the 1095 studied skulls. Their playful and inquisitive nature predisposes sea lion to abrade teeth while playing with rocks, bars, chains and other parts of their habitat. Abrasions can become a painful health problem when enamel and dentin is worn away and the pulp cavity is exposed.

The exposed pulp will react with initial acute pulpitis, that develops into chronic pulpitis, with bulging, red, inflamed looking tissue, spilling out of the canal. Beside behaviour correction with more enrichment, it is important to treat the clinical symptoms of the patients in captivity during acute flare up phases until a long term treatment solution can be found. California sea lion teeth are brachydont with 34 permanent teeth. The canine teeth are large and stout and display sexual dimorphism (Sinai et al. 2014). The tooth formula is I3/2, C1/1 PM5/5. Sea lion dentition is optimised for grasping, not chewing and tooth extractions are generally well tolerated since animals in captivity don’t need to hunt for their food (Istace 2023).

Extractions of canine teeth in sea lions can be challenging due to the conical root shape of their roots. The widest bit of the tooth, especially in young sea lions, is close to the very apex of the tooth. Canine teeth have short crowns and roots extending under the second premolar. These attributes make extractions not the most desirable treatment of choice for the veterinary practitioner. However the apex of the tooth itself remains open and therefore a root canal filling isn’t advisable. The Delphi method has been used to achieve consensus of opinion on a variety of issues including those related to dentistry. It uses a series of anonymous questionnaires designed to develop a consensus of opinion and can provide guidance on topics that have not or cannot be studied in randomised controlled trials. Given the limited number of historical cases in these species, we believe that there is value in sharing this existing knowledge in a transparent way. Multiple Veterinary dentist from all over the world have participated in a Delphi study about Canine teeth extraction in sea lions and have filled out the first round of questioners. The talk aims to present the results of the study and will deliver some best practice suggestions to enhance the positive outcome after canine tooth extractions in Sea lions. We ease the stress for the veterinary dentist and contribute to a better welfare and the long term conservation of Zalophus californianus.