Albie And His Teeth...

[AlbiePercy]

So. Albie keeps breaking his front teeth. He only breaks one at a time, but it's not always the same tooth (alternates between the two top ones). So far he's broken them on the 11/4, 4/6 and 22/7. Three breaks in three months. Surely this isn't normal as Percy's teeth are fine. He eats unlimited Timothy Hay, and a two of these veggies - carrot, silverbeet, spinach, capsicum, cucumber, occasional tomato, occasional corn cob, brocolli. He doesn't chew the bars or his toys, the only possible thing I can think of is the water bottle.
I've also noticed in the last few months that his front toenails have curled slightly. They're kept short and trimmed regularly, but still curled. He's around 2.5 - 3 years old. Am I missing something in their diet for him to be breaking his teeth so regularly?

 

[Teddybear22]

I'm tagging @furryfriends (TEAS) for you, as she knows a lot about dental issues.
Hope you find an answer soon x

 

[gizzy]

Try asking you vet adouf a vit D supplement to help fortifie the teeth

 

[AlbiePercy]

Thank you both. I should mention that the nearest savvy vet is around 5.5 hours drive from here.

 

[Teddybear22]

Bumping your thread

 

[AlbiePercy]

Bumping your thread

Thanks It's not bothering him at all, it just bothers me to see him missing a tooth!

 

[AlbiePercy]

Please help Albie

 

[Teddybear22]

I'll tag @Wiebke @Adelle @helen105281 @MintyAndGarry (TEAS) for you too as they are also quite knowledgeable on health/illness to see if they can help you x

 

[Wiebke]

Nails tend to thicken and/or go curlier as the guinea pig grows older.

Teeth are not my speciality. Weak front teeth that break repeatedly can sometimes be related to nutritional deficits; perhaps you want to talk about it with re. upping vitamin C or other vitamins/minerals? Occasionally it could be genetic, but that is more of a default diagnosis when any other angles have been covered.

Is your boy an avid cage gnawer?

 

[Adelle]

I'm sorry your thread was missed- apologies!

Usually when a front tooth snaps, the other will too. This may have caused a weakening in both inscisors at a certain point. If he isnt a cage biter, the bottle may be the issue.

The only way of knowing would be to replace it completely- what about trying a sippy bottle?

I'm assuming he eats pellets, so calcium deficiency shouldnt be an issue although may be a thought if you cant find the cause.

I agree about the nails- crunchie is 5 and has curled nails (the bend sideways when they grow). This is normal.

Apologies again, hope the water bottle solves the issue!x

 

[AlbiePercy]

Thank for your replies So far he's been lucky I guess that the other top tooth doesn't snap off. They don't have pellets so perhaps that could be something. Any ideas on some good brands I can get mailed within Australia? I've never seen sippy bottles for piggies before! It could be the bottle as Albie likes to make as much noise as possible with it! It's like he uses it as a little maids bell... He definitely doesn't chew the bars.
Albie's nails sound like Crunchie's, I just didn't think at 2.5 he'd be old enough yet.

 

[Adelle]

Thank for your replies So far he's been lucky I guess that the other top tooth doesn't snap off. They don't have pellets so perhaps that could be something. Any ideas on some good brands I can get mailed within Australia? I've never seen sippy bottles for piggies before! It could be the bottle as Albie likes to make as much noise as possible with it! It's like he uses it as a little maids bell... He definitely doesn't chew the bars.
Albie's nails sound like Crunchie's, I just didn't think at 2.5 he'd be old enough yet.

I'll tag @helen105281 to advise on a general all round balanced pellet. Try the water bottle first, if you have never fed pellets, it would seem a bit late in life for him to start having problems from that. Even just try him with a different bottle in general, one that you can get a hold of. If the nozzle with ball bearing is small/thin, try a larger/wider nozzle to see if it stops him getting his tooth stuck x

 

[helen105281]

I'm really not sure about pellet brands in Australia, I only know about UK brands. Maybe @Glynis would know?

 

[Glynis]

Hi there. You can buy oxbow pellets from the vets and burgess guinea pig pellets from Pet Barn.

Burgess Australia

Hope this helps. Best of luck!
I know how frustrating it is with broken toofies!

 

[AlbiePercy]

Ooooh thanks for the team effort! I'm currently away from home (in sunny Coffs Harbour!) for uni, and they actually have a Pet Barn so I'll try there for both a new water bottle and some pellets. Perhaps between the two we can stop Albie being toothless!

 

[AlbiePercy]

Just a little update on Albie. Since we started the boys on pellets at the beginning of August, Albie hasn't had any more broken teeth and his nails seem stronger, less curly and more normal looking! So I'm guessing he did have a deficiency in some mineral or another. Thanks heaps for your suggestions

 

[Julie M]

Glad Albie is doing better.

 

[Wiebke]

Just a little update on Albie. Since we started the boys on pellets at the beginning of August, Albie hasn't had any more broken teeth and his nails seem stronger, less curly and more normal looking! So I'm guessing he did have a deficiency in some mineral or another. Thanks heaps for your suggestions

That is wonderful news!