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Anybody Had Experience With Jaw Arthritis?

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Tanneth

Tanneth

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Hello, just wondering if anyone has any experience caring for piggies with jaw arthritis?

A few weeks ago I noticed that fuzzy's top incisors where overgrown and that she was having trouble eating, so I took her down to the vets. The vet agreed that her top teeth were over grown and clipped them back. He also said she has arthritis in her jaw and that I should have her put to sleep :( however I rufused to have her put down, shes only 6 months and shes such a happy pig. For the past few weeks I've been giving her softened food and critical care to keep her weight up, she has no trouble with hay or veg if its cut up small enough. Anyway sorry for rambling on, basically what I wanted to know if there is any good foods to help keep her weight up? And if there's anything else I can do to help her?
 
Very sorry to read this I cant offer much advice but we were in the same situation a year ago. Panda was loosing weight and we had her sedated to have her teeth checked and her jaw x-rayed. The vet diagnosed the arthritis through the x-rays and jaw manipulation. Unfortunately Panda had ongoing medical problems which meant she was on long term steroids so pain- relief was rather limited. So because of this and her other problems Panda was pts. She was 4 1/2yrs at this time. Have you thought about a second opinion?
 
I hadn't thought of second option, will definitely look into it though, I want to do everything I can for her, I don't just wanted her pts straight away like the vet suggested. I'm so sorry to hear about Panda :( at least shes not in any pain anymore
 
No experience, but would also suggest a second opinion and possibly some pain medications as needed. I would also be very reluctant to have such a young animal PTS without exhausting other options first. It's great that she can eat if things are cut up small, I would keep doing that in the meantime!
 
Have u tried contacting/ pm furryfriends? Sorry don't know about this tagging malarkey. Debbie has bags of experience with dental problems- it might be something she can advise on.
Definitely glad u didn't have her pts.
Have u tried looking on the recommended vets section in the top toolbar for a local one to you?
I would try for a second opinion. That vet seems to be a bit of a piggies are dispensable pets school of thought :(
Hopefully syringe feeding/cc diet etc will help keep piggy strong but it will need hand feeding too, to help wear down the teeth to a manageable level &apparently problems don't take long to take hold once they have started with teeth.
Good luck &healing vibes for your little one :)get well soon. Xx
 
I've tried looking in the recommended vets section but the nearest one is a 2h 30 min drive away, i really dont want to stress her out by taking her on a long car journey :( I might just try another local vets first. I'll try contacting furryfriends, hopefully she can offer some good advice :)
 
One of my pigs (Cookie) had problems eating a year ago and when I took her to the vet I was told she needed a dental but that might not fix the issue as she may have some jaw problem which the vet said 'a lot of guinea pigs get' (I cant remember if she used the word arthritis or not though). She had the dental and it took her a while to eat again (about 3 weeks where I syringe fed her and put her food and veg through a food processor) and had been fine since for a year .... up till a week ago when she needed another dental (teeth burred down again) ..... the vet never mentioned the potential 'jaw problems' again.

I don't know if this helps you or not but I'm glad I didn't give up on her when I was initially told she may not be able to eat again.

Good luck - hope Fuzzy will be okay

xx
 
Hiya! Only just seen this. Could we have a chat on the phone tomorrow? My contact details are on the Sanctuary website www.teasnorthampton.co.uk This sounds very like a dental problem is causing the jaw issue. I have had many piggies come to stay here temporarily after vets have said they have jaw problems and everything has been sorted once the teeth are ok.
 
Hi Furryfriends :) I've been meaning to get in contact with you, I might not be able to phone tomorrow though - got work all day :td:. Good news though, Fuzzys eating is improving every day, we've been weighing her daily and shes currently the heavest shes been since we got her a month ago! :D
 
Fuzzy enjoying her veggies this evening :)20140330_222356.webp
 
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