Dental advice

[Nic bee]

Hi all, is there a guide anywhere about what a teeth trim involves? I've got a 6 year old piggie. He's super healthy and happy, eating as normal and not losing weight. However his front teeth have grown into v shape. His top and bottom fit perfectly together but in this strange shape.
As he's not losing weight and he's quite old, I don't want to risk and anesthetic or stress, bit love him to bits and don't want to neglect him.

 

[Sunnyandbutch]

I would take him to a vet. Considering that you most likely have not trimmed teeth before it would be a good idea to have a professional trim your piggy’s teeth. Its good to hear that he is eating. Saskia from the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue has a couple videos on teeth trimmings if you would like to see the procedure.

 

[Nic bee]

I'll have a look thank you, just scared it'll be too much for a 6 year year old pig.

I would take him to a vet. Considering that you most likely have not trimmed teeth before it would be a good idea to have a professional trim your piggy’s teeth. Its good to hear that he is eating. Saskia from the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue has a couple videos on teeth trimmings if you would like to see the procedure.

 

[Claire W]

I agree with @Sunnyandbutch If you are at all concerned, please see a vet

 

[Free Ranger]

The teeth are constantly growing (and pretty fast!) so I think I'm right in saying that as long as the incisors are fitting together well any possible breaks or chips will eventually grow out. However, that shape is a bit weird (almost like a water bottle spout?) and the fact that it's on the top and bottom rather than just being an odd tooth... do you think it is a break? I mean, the base of the teeth still looks vertical in the pic, but are the teeth growing in a V shape away from each other at the base?

If you can put on your location - country of origin and particularly the County if you are UK based the experts will be along soon to comment and advise. There is a very well thought of pig dentist near Northampton that someone is bound to recommend if you live near there! My general vet once burred my sow's incisors without anaesthetic: a two man job and she was cross about the whole thing but it was very quick - 15 minutes and she was out... even if they overdo it the teeth grow back pretty fast!

Don't worry - it might not be so serious. There are pigs on the forum with no bottom incisors and others that have dental issues: both having to be burred regularly (within weeks) with no general anaesthetic and doing fine on it. Let's see what the experts think...

 

[Nic bee]

Think I knew this would be the advice just watched the clip, didn't look too bad for him.. will call the vets. X

 

[Lady Kelly]

The first step is to consult a cavy savvy vet to have the teeth checked. A problem with the front teeth is most commonly caused by a problem with the back teeth so it's worth having a consult with a knowledgeable vet to see whether there is a bigger issue going on. If they feel there is a need for dental work to be done then I would look at your options for which vet to use. By far the best dental vet is the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton where Simon not only does conscious dentals but does then every week. Slightly further north in Matlock there is The Guinea Pig vet who has more recently started doing conscious dentals though her experience isn't anywhere near in comparison to Simons

 

[Nic bee]

@freeranger
His teeth are so strange, they fit together perfectly, like almost a Chevron, his lower teeth have an inverted "v" and his top have the standard " v". They are aligned, don't really look like it in the photo I know.

 

[Nic bee]

The first step is to consult a cavy savvy vet to have the teeth checked. A problem with the front teeth is most commonly caused by a problem with the back teeth so it's worth having a consult with a knowledgeable vet to see whether there is a bigger issue going on. If they feel there is a need for dental work to be done then I would look at your options for which vet to use. By far the best dental vet is the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton where Simon not only does conscious dentals but does then every week. Slightly further north in Matlock there is The Guinea Pig vet who has more recently started doing conscious dentals though her experience isn't anywhere near in comparison to Simons

Thank you for replying. Wouldn't he be having problems eating/ losing weight if this was the case?

 

[Free Ranger]

If you are speaking with a vet they might ask when you noticed this happening. There's a thread here Toothies Tuesday which is just a bit of fun but you can see a range of 'normal' incisors. Has you boy's always looked v-shaped or is it very recent?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you for replying. Wouldn't he be having problems eating/ losing weight if this was the case?

Only if he is unable to eat enough. In the very early stages you might not notice any change. I would say it's not worth travelling to a conscious dental vet until you know one way or another. We do have a vet locator which will show good vets in your area

 

[VickiA]

I would take him to a vet. Considering that you most likely have not trimmed teeth before it would be a good idea to have a professional trim your piggy’s teeth. Its good to hear that he is eating. Saskia from the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue has a couple videos on teeth trimmings if you would like to see the procedure.

On this forum we do not support any home treating of dental issues @Sunnyandbutch. Dental work should only be carried out by a qualified veterinarian.

 

[Nic bee]

Hi, just thought I'd update (& ask opinions please!) So I took my piggie to the vets, had to wait for an exotics appoint. She confirmed his teeth were abnormal and he felt a bit skinny. She looked at his back teeth and said they looked yellow and he had lots of food left around his teeth which is also abnormal and his muscles felt week around his jaws. His heart, lungs all felt & sounded good and she had a good feel, checked for abscess and lumps. So all in all he seemed good for a 6yr pig but she was concerned there's something causing his weight loss (he was 1070g for the last few years- he's 960g now) and something causing his teeth issues. Soooo she wants to do some x-rays and blood tests under anesthetic to see if he has thyroid issues, arthritis or a deficiency of some sort..and then we can find out if he's in pain or needs meds. Life expectancy etc. I don't know what to do, I'm self employed and not able to work due to lockdown so £260 is a lot! Of money. At his age I don't think I'd put him under an operation. And he seems happy in himself (his cage is in my living room so I'm with him all day at the moment). But obviously hate the thought of him being in pain and not showing it. He's on loxicom now to see if that increases his weight.