Is Slow Chewing Always

[Katiedid]

a sign of sore teeth or could t be that the piggy feels too ill to chew?

Jet has bloat again but the meds aren’t helping and my gut instinct is that it is secondary to another issue.

 

[piggieminder]

Oh no, poor Jet and poor you, another poorly piggy.
Sorry I can't answer your question, just want to send you hugs and best wishes. X

 

[Wiebke]

a sign of sore teeth or could t be that the piggy feels too ill to chew?

Jet has bloat again but the meds aren’t helping and my gut instinct is that it is secondary to another issue.

Your gut instinct is probably right.

Slow chewing is generally a sign that there is something not right with the back teeth (can be a root abscess brewing that has not yet come out but is already causing pain), the mouth (fungal thrush) or with swallowing.
Have a look at the incisors: are they even and nicely sharpened against each other or are they slanted, jaged inwards bent, have a dark discolourisation in places and are no longer self-sharpening? In the second case, this points towards overgrowing premolars or a potential incisor root abscess.

Dental problems can cause digestive problems as a knock-on; as can other things that are internally wrong. Finding out what is causing the problem can require detective work, but it should always include a look at the mouth.

@furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Merab]

Poor Jet.
Just want to offer support

 

[Katiedid]

Thank you. I’ve gone back to the vets.

Incisors are overgrown - as he is missing one and has been for about 18 months now. I could kick myself as I’ve looekd but didn’t spot it as he wriggled so much.

He also has a gummy eye so we are trying antibiotics and more gut meds. They are looking at his molars now.

He is willing to eat if syringe fed but not by himself.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. I’ve gone back to the vets.

Incisors are overgrown - as he is missing one and had been for about 18 months now. I could kick myself as I’ve looekd but didn’t spot it as he wriggled so much.

He also has a gummy eye so we are trying antibiotics and more gut meds. They are looking at his molars now.

He is willing to eat is syringe fed but not by himself.

It is so easy to overlook teeth, especially as vet training is very thin on guinea pig dentals.

Take the time to read our syringe feeding guide; it also has got a section on caring for dental guinea pigs. You won't usually see an immediate change as they pain and discomfort are too great and it takes time for the chewing to normalise. Ideally a piggy needs several dental aftercare adjustments at ever increasing intervals to fully rebalance the dental system. With an incisor missing permanently, your boy will need regular check-ups.
I always noticed with Hywel when he stopped eating hard pellets and hard veg that his teeth started going wrong (in his case, that his jaw abscess was returning again); I cut them in small strips. If your boy is off food completely, you can feed a mix of recovery food and wheat grass powder to replace the hay and some liquidised veg or very finely chopped veg. In an emergency, mushed up pellets will do.


@furryfriends (TEAS) @karonus

 

[VickiA]

It’s easy to miss dental issues. Don’t blame yourself. you’ve identified it. Now hopefully things will start to improve.

 

[Katiedid]

I’m syringe feeding him already )
(CC and wheatgrass powder). I’m still worried there is a URI there but we will see. He won’t eat chopped veg or softened pellets.

I’m mad with myself because we do go for regular dental checks but he broke the top teeth so I didn’t do the last one (as they were fine when checked) and then missed them overgrowing.

I’ll try liquidised veg too.

 

[Wiebke]

I’m syringe feeding him already )
(CC and wheatgrass powder). I’m still worried there is a URI there but we will see. He won’t eat chopped veg or softened pellets.

I’m mad with myself because we do go for regular dental checks but he broke the top teeth so I didn’t do the last one (as they were fine when checked) and then missed them overgrowing.

I’ll try liquidised veg too.

Don't beat yourself up too badly; it is easy to miss dental problems because the signs can be very subtle.

 

[Maddykins]

Thinking of you and Jet. Be kind to yourself you are doing the best you can, he is lucky to have an owner who cares for him so much.

 

[Betsy]

Poor Jet I'm sure with your loving attention he will get better very soon @Katiedid!

 

[karonus]

Astro managed for 3 years without bottom incisors. Needed incisor trim every 4 weeks. All veggies cut into fine strips. Once the incisors are under control and he can get eating again. Its likely the back teeth will need attention. If you can its best if you can get to Cat and Rabbit in northampton.