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Dental Do dental pigs get to the stage where their dental problems cannot be fixed?

piglette

piglette

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

I have a 5 year old male piggy with dental issues, secondary to temporo-mandibular joint disease and middle ear disease, probably genetic.

This piggy has had 4 dentals in the past 10 months, and is now on tramadol + meloxicam + cartrophen to manage his pain. His last dental was 9 days ago. He's currently really bright/interactive, seemingly pain-controlled and munching veggies/treats. But I just can't get him off the Critical Care: he's still not eating hay or maintaining his weight independently.

I have a re-check booked with the vet this week. I'm trying to make a decision about what to do: whether to ask that the vet tries another dental (a back-to-back dental was successful with this pig last time, resulting in 6 excellent months of 'normal' life), or whether to start thinking about putting him to sleep. I'm pretty devastated about the whole thing.

My main question is: is it normal/expected for dental pigs to get to the stage where their dental issues can't be corrected with surgery, and they have to be put to sleep?

Thanks in advance for your advice/experiences.
 
I run a sanctuary for guinea pigs with ongoing dental disease! Most of our guinea pigs live out a normal length life, with their dental issue being managed, by our amazing vet. We have a very strict ethos, which is 'to extend good quality life, but never to prolong suffering'. Whilst most of our residents, eventually pass over the rainbow bridge, due to old age issues, rather than their dental problem, there have been a few, who have been helped over the bridge, when their life has no longer been worth living!
 
Thanks @furryfriends (TEAS) - that answers my question exactly. I guess my pig's case is complicated by his other illnesses, but I feel they're well-managed at present and so I'm feeling more confident now about asking the vet to continue to manage his dental disease. I absolutely agree with the quality versus quantity idea... but I just caught him pop-corning around his cage, so don't feel his quality of life is too terrible yet. Just wish the furry little devil would eat his hay! ❤

Thanks again for your time replying :) Having one dental pig has been exceedingly stressful and exhausting - kudos to you for caring for a sanctuary of dental pigs!
 
piglette said:
Thanks @furryfriends (TEAS) - that answers my question exactly. I guess my pig's case is complicated by his other illnesses, but I feel they're well-managed at present and so I'm feeling more confident now about asking the vet to continue to manage his dental disease. I absolutely agree with the quality versus quantity idea... but I just caught him pop-corning around his cage, so don't feel his quality of life is too terrible yet. Just wish the furry little devil would eat his hay! ❤

Thanks again for your time replying :) Having one dental pig has been exceedingly stressful and exhausting - kudos to you for caring for a sanctuary of dental pigs!
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Will he eat grass? This is just as good, for wearing the teeth, as hay! So glad to hear your little guy is doing so well. I take it a day at a time, with our 'extra special' piggies, and if all is good, then there is lots to smile about!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Will he eat grass? This is just as good, for wearing the teeth, as hay!
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Unfortunately I can't get him to eat grass, either hand-fed or by outdoor grazing. I've tried all the different grasses that grow in our area and also a variety of other forage, and also about 5 different varieties of hay - no luck :no:

Claire W said:
I can’t comment on the dental problems but if your little boy is still popcorning and seeming happy, he’s not ready to say goodbye just yet I don’t think :)
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Yes, I feel the same. I just worry about whether it's right to keep him on Critical Care long-term, or to put him through another dental. The vets here only do dentals under general anaesthetic, which knocks him around quite a bit. The vet also seemed hesitant to push on with further dentals, given his co-morbidities. There are only two vet clinics in Brisbane who do complex dental care, and the other one has already said they feel they can do no more for this little piggy.

But yes, a day at a time I think.
 
Sending you hugs, I can understand how difficult it must be for you. As others have said, take one day at a time and treasure your time together x
 
Like a lot of issues, I think it can come down to quality of life. It sounds like he is still happy and living a good life in spite of the dental issues, so it's not yet time. I feel like when there's no quality, you'll know. I just want to say I feel for you... I don't have a dental piggie right now, but I do have a hamster who needs dental trims, under general anesthesia, about every month to 6 weeks, and I have the same questions you have about it. Right now she's in good condition otherwise, despite being older and having chronically overgrowing teeth, but I know there will come a time when she isn't sturdy enough to undergo repeat dentistry and we will have to make some tough decisions, and I am really dreading that day.
 
I haven't got any advice but just want to sympathise on how stressful it is supporting a dental pig who can't eat hay. Not just time and hassle but the emotional worry of feeling they need you so often or they could get very poorly quickly, but it's hard to say to an employer for example that you're off work feeding your piggy! Sounds like your little chap is very happy at the moment, even if piggy Mum is strung out!
 
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