Dental Dental surgery

[Jacq]

Hi there

my daughters have for g/pigs. All were purchased together. They all eat the same diet of hay as much as they want, dried food and mixed veg x2/day. They live in plastic boxes and prefer fleece blankets to nest down in. They get lots of attention from the kids.
We noticed one of the four seemed lighter than he should be about 4 weeks ago. We took him to the vet who said his teeth were terribly long and growing abnormally. After surgery to file his teeth they said they suspected he had congenital malformation of his mouth and that his teeth will need filled again. They acknowledged that they did their best but it was almost impossible to file his teeth in a way that made them aligned for chewing. So we have brought him home and we are syringe feeding him high protein food as recommended. We are now one week post surgery. He most definately cannot chew. His chew is totally abnormal like a stuttering jaw. He has lost a further 30 grams and weight today is only 690g! He has a large abscess behind his right ear.
despite all this he is still popping around, playing with his buddies and appears to be well!
So far cost of treatment has been in excess of £300. Special diet, analgesia, anti biotics costs are stillOngoing and mounting. The vet is now saying they think they should bring him in for observation and see what they think might be going on.
We love our pets very much but at what point should I say’ no more’?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh gosh, what a tricky situation. Sadly there are too many vets that know very little about guinea pigs let alone being able to adequately treat something like dental issues. However as @furryfriends (TEAS) will be able to vouch, with the right treatment it is possible for dental problems to be overcome.

I'm not sure where you are based but it's worth travelling to the best vet for this issue which is the cat and rabbit clinic in Northampton. There are a couple of vets that have started to learn Simon's technique of conscious dentals one being Derbyshire and one being very far down south (and one day I will remember where). If your vet is open to learning then it might be worth suggesting they contact Simon Maddock in Northampton to consult him on the best way to proceed

 

[Jacq]

That is very helpful. I live in Scotland however my vet is one of only three vet hospitals up here. My vet appears keen to keep treating Cookie, but I feel that a lot of what they are offering is financially motivated. However I do think he would be keen to learn as its a very modern and progressive surgery. I’ll pass on details of the vet you have mentioned above. Thanks

 

[Bill & Ted]

I travel to the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton for conscious dental with Simon Maddock who is an amazing vet. We travel from Cornwall, it’s worth every mile travelled. Do hope you can get Cookie sorted out, I know it must be such a worry for you x

 

[Wiebke]

That is very helpful. I live in Scotland however my vet is one of only three vet hospitals up here. My vet appears keen to keep treating Cookie, but I feel that a lot of what they are offering is financially motivated. However I do think he would be keen to learn as its a very modern and progressive surgery. I’ll pass on details of the vet you have mentioned above. Thanks

Simon Maddock is seeing piggies from as far as Edinburgh and Cornwall and does about 25 guinea pig dentals in a week; he is by far the most practised guinea pig dental vet in the UK. This is more in a week that most general vets see in their whole career and most exotics vets a year!
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

Ellie Whitehead, who is a vet seeing only guinea pigs is working in Derby and has been to train with Simon; she just started to offer dental treatment. She is still a long way from you but about an hour less travel down the M1.
Specialist Guinea Pig Vet | Matlock, UK | The Guinea Pig Vet

 

[Bill & Ted]

Oh gosh, what a tricky situation. Sadly there are too many vets that know very little about guinea pigs let alone being able to adequately treat something like dental issues. However as @furryfriends (TEAS) will be able to vouch, with the right treatment it is possible for dental problems to be overcome.

I'm not sure where you are based but it's worth travelling to the best vet for this issue which is the cat and rabbit clinic in Northampton. There are a couple of vets that have started to learn Simon's technique of conscious dentals one being Derbyshire and one being very far down south (and one day I will remember where). If your vet is open to learning then it might be worth suggesting they contact Simon Maddock in Northampton to consult him on the best way to proceed

I think the one very down south is Jess in Brixham, at Dart Valley Vets who has filled Bill’s long incisor perfectly using the conscious method when Simmon was on holiday x

 

[Lady Kelly]

I think the one very down south is Jess in Brixham, at Dart Valley Vets who has filled Bill’s long incisor perfectly using the conscious method when Simmon was on holiday x

I always remember the name Jess but that's as far as my memory has been able to cope

 

[Jacq]

Thank you all of you! I’m prepared to travel. I’m planning to go back to my own vet and ask him to liaise for me

 

[Bill & Ted]

Good luck hope you can get Cookie’s teeth sorted x

 

[Jacq]

Hi there. Just popped on to say sadly wee Cookie died last week. He never regained his ability to chew or infant ear anything. His weight dropped another 60 grams and despite our best efforts, 2 hourly Syringe feeds all day and once overnight he was literally starving to death. The kids are devastated but understand he was suffering. The other three little pigs are getting back to normal.
Thanks for all your advice. X

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry to hear your very sad news.