A postmortem case of the pink teeth phenomenon in an ocelot Leopardus pardalis

M. L. Chatellenaz; M. G. Villordo

doi:10.30972/vet.3628831

Autores

M. L. Chatellenaz Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Laboratorio de Ornitología y Mastozoología https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6316-3312
M. G. Villordo Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Laboratorio de Ornitología y Mastozoología https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6190-2941

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3628831

Palavras-chave:

Roadkills, carnivores, felines, pink teeth, postmortem, forensic science

Resumo

We report a case of the postmortem pink teeth phenomenon, observed in an ocelot Leopardus pardalis killed
by vehicular trauma in northeastern Argentina. The specimen showed pink-purple discoloration in all teeth,
which was most pronounced at the root and below the cervical area. Although this discoloration is usually
associated with cadavers remaining submerged in water or exposed to high humidity for extended periods, in
this case the pink coloration developed within 48 hours postmortem, and under low ambient humidity. This
phenomenon, likely underreported, warrants further investigation to better understand how environmental
conditions, postmortem interval, and cause of death may influence its appearance. Establishing a potential
association between the occurrence of pink teeth and specific causes of death in wild animals could provide
a valuable tool for veterinary forensic investigations.

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