Dental Infected incisor?

[SingingPiggy]

Hello.
My Marty looks like he has an infected lower incisor. I noticed first of all he had smelly breath, slightly fishy. I'm presuming an infection because also, upon Inspection of his mouth, his bottom teeth appear to be really covered in a grey colour at very base of tooth. I'm booking him in at vets tomorrow, just hope theyll take him in as onky taking "emergency cases" at present.. But I deem this as very urgent. I seem to be forever down the vets with one of my 3 boys. Not that that's an issue as I'd do anything fur them, but it makes me upset as their diet is always fresh veg, LOADS of fresh hay every day all day. Lawn grass when weather allows.
Does anyone know what might cause dental infection.. I lost my dear Fudgie Bear back in January after a period of poorly health, and that seems to have been prompted initially by exactly the same sort of tooth issue as Marty experiencing now.
Any advice hugely welcome. There is not much on Google re incisor infection at base of tooth.

 

[Wiebke]

Dental root abscesses are not at all uncommon; nor are overgrown premolar spurs at the back. Please keep in mind that incisors about 4 cm long and run along the upper and lower jaw. Their roots are actually just in front of the premolar and molar teeth at the back, which are responsible for grinding down the food, especially silica rich hay and grass fibre.
Please also make sure that your vet checks the back of the mouth and the teeth at the back for rotting food and overgrowth.
The fishy smell is likely either from rotting food or a burst abscess; but either problem should be seen promptly. An abscess has a very strong distinct smell, which you will recognise once you have smelled it but it is hard to describe.

Please switch from weighing once weekly to weighing daily at the same in order to monitor the food intake. about 80% should be unlimited hay but you can't control that by eye. If necessary, you need to step in with soft or finely sliced veg, mushed up pellets or syringe feed, depending on the pain level and how well your piggy can chew/eat.
Here is our emergency and crisis care advice: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Our syringe feeding guide has got a chapter on looking after dental guinea pigs: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

PS: As we have members and enquiries from all over the world, it would help us (and you) a lot if you please added your country.

 

[SingingPiggy]

Dental root abscesses are not at all uncommon; nor are overgrown premolar spurs at the back. Please keep in mind that incisors about 4 cm long and run along the upper and lower jaw. Their roots are actually just in front of the premolar and molar teeth at the back, which are responsible for grinding down the food, especially silica rich hay and grass fibre.
Please also make sure that your vet checks the back of the mouth and the teeth at the back for rotting food and overgrowth.
The fishy smell is likely either from rotting food or a burst abscess; but either problem should be seen promptly. An abscess has a very strong distinct smell, which you will recognise once you have smelled it but it is hard to describe.

Please switch from weighing once weekly to weighing daily at the same in order to monitor the food intake. about 80% should be unlimited hay but you can't control that by eye. If necessary, you need to step in with soft or finely sliced veg, mushed up pellets or syringe feed, depending on the pain level and how well your piggy can chew/eat.
Here is our emergency and crisis care advice: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Our syringe feeding guide has got a chapter on looking after dental guinea pigs: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

PS: As we have members and enquiries from all over the world, it would help us (and you) a lot if you please added your country.

Thabk you. I'm, South of England. He's still so keen for his food, looks a bit out of condition (bit scruffier than normal) and a light weight loss. Hopefully vet will book him in tmrw and get this looked at. Smell isn't vile, but not pleasant. He's just eaten all his tea and is now squeaking for more! I've just given more hay.

 

[Wiebke]

Thabk you. I'm, South of England. He's still so keen for his food, looks a bit out of condition (bit scruffier than normal) and a light weight loss. Hopefully vet will book him in tmrw and get this looked at. Smell isn't vile, but not pleasant. He's just eaten all his tea and is now squeaking for more! I've just given more hay.

All the best! Please brace yourself that your boy may not be able to eat if any dental work is done inexpertly; sadly piggy dentals are not something that feature on most vets' curriculums or practices.

 

[SingingPiggy]

All the best! Please brace yourself that your boy may not be able to eat if any dental work is done inexpertly; sadly piggy dentals are not something that feature on most vets' curriculums or practices.

Yes, Thabk you so much. Will get him booked in ASAP and get them to have a good look in and around his mouth x

 

[Claire W]

I have no advise but good luck at the vets x

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hope everything goes fine for your little chap x