Resorptive lesions represent one of the most common and clinically significant oral diseases in cats, and they are increasingly recognised in dogs as well. They are painful, progressive, and often diagnosed late, which makes early detection and awareness crucial for animal welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate how general practitioners and veterinarians performing oral procedures under general anaesthesia perceive resorptive lesions and which diagnostic methods they apply in practice. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. The online questionnaire consisted of 19 items, of which nine targeted general practitioners and ten targeted veterinarians performing oral procedures under anaesthesia. A total of 99 responses were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that awareness of resorptive lesions was higher for cats than for dogs, while knowledge regarding other species remained inconsistent. In routine clinical examination, 90.8% of respondents reported that they actively checked for signs of resorptive lesions, whereas 9.2% did not. In addition, 53.5% of respondents reported that they perform oral procedures under general anaesthesia.

Diagnostic methods were dominated by visual examination. During comprehensive oral health assessments, 96% of veterinarians used visual inspection in cats and 85% in dogs. Tactile probing was applied by 60% in cats and 57% in dogs, and intraoral radiography was used by 66% in cats and 62% in dogs. Although both tactile and radiographic techniques are considered essential for detecting early and subgingival lesions, their use was reported substantially less frequently than visual inspection, indicating that many cases may remain undiagnosed until advanced stages.

Respondents identified conferences, professional training courses, and colleagues as their most important sources of information on resorptive lesions (79% and 74%, respectively). Textbooks and scientific articles were mentioned less often (60% and 64%), with association websites cited the least, highlighting veterinarians’ reliance on continuing education, expert-led events, and peer interactions to stay updated These findings underline a clear gap between best-practice recommendations and the methods currently most used in daily clinical settings. Visual inspection alone, while quick and widely applicable, cannot reliably detect early lesions. Underutilisation of tactile probing and radiography contributes to the risk of late or missed diagnoses. Improving awareness and diagnostic practices requires close collaboration between general practitioners and dental specialists. Specialists can play a key role by sharing guidelines, offering structured continuing education, and supporting timely referrals.

In conclusion, Estonian veterinarians demonstrate good overall awareness of resorptive lesions, particularly in cats, but daily practice is inconsistent and heavily dependent on visual examination. Strengthening collaboration with specialists and ensuring the dissemination of evidence-based diagnostic standards through professional training and conferences are essential steps toward earlier diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, and improved animal welfare.