Guinea Pig Accident Injured

[Liz Serrano]

Hello everybody,
My 8 year old cousin was playing with my Guinea Pig, Tigger, and apparently he dropped him by accident. Because I was unaware, he told me and now he has a scratch by the lip-ish area, then I noticed that something was wrong with his tooth too! His left tooth is a bit shorter that the right one. I'm worried that he might have to go to the vet and at this moment he can't eat as much because it hurts, just like it would for a human, but should I be worried or I will he be fine? I know his teeth still grow but I am worried that he wont be able to eat or if his uneven tooth could potentially harm him. I've read that most guinea pigs uneven tooth is due to lack of vitamin C but in this case lack of vitamin C is not the issue here. Should I get the other tooth trimmed?
Someone please help me!
Thanks Gujnea Pig friends

 

[rosie and bramble]

Welcome to the forum.

Personally I would get him to a vet as he could have other injuries too that you will not be aware of. Ideally children should not be unsupervised with pets for reasons such as this.

I hope your guinea is better soon x

 

[Flutterby]

I completely agree with the above. With a fall as such an already visible damage, it's best to get him checked over. Sending healing vibes, let us know how he gets on x

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everybody,
My 8 year old cousin was playing with my Guinea Pig, Tigger, and apparently he dropped him by accident. Because I was unaware, he told me and now he has a scratch by the lip-ish area, then I noticed that something was wrong with his tooth too! His left tooth is a bit shorter that the right one. I'm worried that he might have to go to the vet and at this moment he can't eat as much because it hurts, just like it would for a human, but should I be worried or I will he be fine? I know his teeth still grow but I am worried that he wont be able to eat or if his uneven tooth could potentially harm him. I've read that most guinea pigs uneven tooth is due to lack of vitamin C but in this case lack of vitamin C is not the issue here. Should I get the other tooth trimmed?
Someone please help me!
Thanks Gujnea Pig friends

Please have Tigger checked by a vet. Hopefully, it is just a broken tooth, and not a jaw fracture at the very worst, but you want to make sure that there is no serious and painful long term damage. He could do with some painkiller anyway. Is there blood in the in the mouth or just a broken tooth?

Guinea pigs need their front teeth to pick up food and cut it, so it can then be chewed down by the back teeth. Front teeth are self sharpening. By trimming unnecessarily, you unbalance the whole very finely tuned system, so please don't! He will be even less able to eat with two short front teeth! A broken off tooth that is still sitting firmly in the gum will regrow in a matter of days.

Please step in with syringe feeding for the moment, as long as this is painful and not possible, especially if tigger is not able to eat hay, which should make up to 80% of his daily food intake. You can also grate some veg and place them in his mouth. Also make sure that he can still drink or otherwise syringe.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Caron's Cavies]

Yes I agree with the others. As he has had a fall it is best to get him checked out by a vet so that Tigger can get any help
and attention he needs and you can put your mind at rest.

Good luck - hope all goes well.

 

[Liz Serrano]

Please have Tigger checked by a vet. Hopefully, it is just a broken tooth, and not a jaw fracture at the very worst, but you want to make sure that there is no serious and painful long term damage. He could do with some painkiller anyway. Is there blood in the in the mouth or just a broken tooth?

Guinea pigs need their front teeth to pick up food and cut it, so it can then be chewed down by the back teeth. Front teeth are self sharpening. By trimming unnecessarily, you unbalance the whole very finely tuned system, so please don't! He will be even less able to eat with two short front teeth! A broken off tooth that is still sitting firmly in the gum will regrow in a matter of days.

Please step in with syringe feeding for the moment, as long as this is painful and not possible, especially if tigger is not able to eat hay, which should make up to 80% of his daily food intake. You can also grate some veg and place them in his mouth. Also make sure that he can still drink or otherwise syringe.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

Thanks as of this moment I'm shredding the food but he is still able to eat the hey. He had just chiped of his tooth. Thanks for the advice Wiebke and for all the positing thoughts