After teeth removed...will the piggy return to regular eating?

[adoptive mom]

My guinea pig had surgery 3 times since March 14. It's been a long road of care for him. Two teeth were surgically removed from beneath his jaw and part of the jaw bone was removed due to a tooth infection that was missed. Since then he's not eaten regular food. It's all been by syringe. Have any of you had guinea pigs with teeth removed? Did your piggy eat regular food again, or did you syringe feed since the surgeries?

A vet assistant told me my animal may never eat regular food again. How can syringe feeding be a life for a animal that was use to chewing everything?

Will you please advise. I'm walking down this path and feel very isolated.

 

[sport_billy]

@furryfriends (TEAS) is an expert in dental matters tagging her in for you.

Sorry to hear this. How long have you been syringe feeding?
What teeth were removed?
Where are you located?
Is your piggy on good pain relief?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

We are a sanctuary for guinea pigs with dental issues, tooth root infections etc and our vet has never removed part of the jawbone or the teeth, unless the tooth has been loose due to the infection. This all sounds very extreme and unnecessary. All our piggies eat for themselves, although some need ongoing dental treatment, to just tidy up their teeth every so often.

Where about are you based?

 

[sport_billy]

If you are US based I would suggest visiting Guinea Lynx website they are an excellent medical resource and have a very US Centric medical advice forum over there.

If you are from UK, then Debbie works with one of the best dental vets in the country at her sanctuary

 

[Abi_nurse]

Taking part of the jaw is often essential if there is oesteomylitis (severe infection in the bone), which is usually diagnosed by a ct scan to get a 3D image of the teeth and jaw bones. It is usually only needed in extreme cases and from ones I have seen in rabbits it usually means they have to eat softer foods for the rest of their lives, this doesn't mean just syringe feed, pellets initially soaked, veg cut up small and other soft foods can be eaten usually. It really does depend on where abouts the jaw was taken and which teeth. So without knowing more I could not say for certain, but yes, there is a chance your piggie may not eat normal foods from now on. I've dealt with cases like this before so feel free to PM if you want more in depth information.

Hope your little one recovers okay.

 

[sport_billy]

Taking part of the jaw is often essential if there is oesteomylitis (severe infection in the bone), which is usually diagnosed by a ct scan to get a 3D image of the teeth and jaw bones. It is usually only needed in extreme cases and from ones I have seen in rabbits it usually means they have to eat softer foods for the rest of their lives, this doesn't mean just syringe feed, pellets initially soaked, veg cut up small and other soft foods can be eaten usually. It really does depend on where abouts the jaw was taken and which teeth. So without knowing more I could not say for certain, but yes, there is a chance your piggie may not eat normal foods from now on. I've dealt with cases like this before so feel free to PM if you want more in depth information.

Hope your little one recovers okay.

Thanks @Abi_nurse and @furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[adoptive mom]

@furryfriends (TEAS) is an expert in dental matters tagging her in for you.

Sorry to hear this. How long have you been syringe feeding?
What teeth were removed?
Where are you located?
Is your piggy on good pain relief?

I've been syringe feeding Simon since November 2017. We live near Springfield, Illinois and the nearest guinea pig vet is 200 miles from us in Indianapolis, Indiana. Originally, it was believed Simon could be weaned off pain meds, but that isn't the case. When the pain meds stop, Simon stops eating. He's on .25 - .5 ml of 1.5 meloxicam. There is no information in the US on guinea pig care--only on UK and Australian boards.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Pain relief for life may unfortunately be what needs to be done with him as many of these sever conditions are painful so it will likely be a long term issue. Have tpyou tried making pulses and pastes for him with pellets or fibre sticks (if you have them available over there)

 

[adoptive mom]

Thanks @Abi_nurse and @furryfriends (TEAS)

The CT showed it was an infection. Two of his teeth on the lower right side were removed so his right lower jaw like ^--^. I've learned vets are just surgeons and know very little about after surgery care for these little guys. I feel like I'm putting together pieces of a puzzle and hope my animal will recover.

The procedure done on him was extreme. Simon is the only guinea pig to have survived and still living after the procedure that is done on rabbits. I'll PM you because I don't see Simon gaining any weight and he's starting to refuse the syringe feedings.

 

[adoptive mom]

Pain relief for life may unfortunately be what needs to be done with him as many of these sever conditions are painful so it will likely be a long term issue. Have tpyou tried making pulses and pastes for him with pellets or fibre sticks (if you have them available over there)

No. Please tell me more... you can PM me. If I'm not set up to PM, Ill figure it out.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I don't know about that to be honest @MintyAndGarry (TEAS) I received great advice about a dental issue on a pig that wasn't mine at the time and has now become one of my own and it was due to the advice given (by two members - Debbie & Weibke) I was able to instruct my local vet on what I wanted for Toffee. He made a full recovery. It saved me a lengthy trip to Simon (whom I've visited before) and it was the back of advice by TEAS - so I'm hugely grateful for that. I suppose that's why do what I can support you guys...frankly your and Debbie are bloomin' awesome.

The forum is great and naturally views are going to differ - I get it all the time in my professional life, and I completely understand the frustration you must feel, but believe me when I say I love this place, the environment and the feel of this place for helping, giving advice and of course the sanctuary...the place I know if I'm away for any lengthy time I can put in a safe place and know they will be given the very best care.

And don't forget, others read the posts and hold onto the information that is delivered, it's like we store it away for the potential future use - hopefully not.