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Dental Jaw/teeth problems

V

Vicki-vw

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all, I’m new to posting to this forum but am grateful that it exists! I have a 3yo male, Texel or Texel cross. We noticed he’d stopped eating about 2 weeks ago so took him straight to the vet. I was told he had spurs which needed rectifying ASAP so he had it done that very day. They told me to offer finely chopped leafy greens after the procedure as well as feed him critical care over the next 3 days and he would regain eating normally after that. I'm almost 2 weeks down the road and I’m still hand feeding him. He has little interest in food and when he does he is able to pick up but then gives up. I’ve been back to the vet a few times since for water under the skin injections, opioid pain relief and anti inflammatory injections. I’ve also just finished a short course of oral anti inflammatory.

I’ve read that their jaws can get damaged during a dental procedure but that there’s no way of knowing if this will happen to your pig until afterwards. Also that it could be permanent or take a few weeks to heal.

My little fella, Chester, to me is not living a good life having to be hand fed, being an all day grazer. I don’t know whether the best thing for him would be to say goodbye. He has regained some weight, is bright but not as active as before. The vet also said that once they develop dental problems it sets them up with dental problems for the rest of their lives. I want to do the right thing by him and if we do decide to say goodbye, have we given him enough time to heal? It’s taking me a good 5 hours each day to keep him going.

I really need some advice. I take him back on Thursday for another follow up appointment and yesterday was his last day in the anti inflammatory.

Thank you in advance, Vicki
 
Where are you located? I've had dental piggies in the past and it's definitely not a lethal situation unless the vet has a very good understanding of how to correctly trim and fix the piggies' teeth. I ask for your location because we have the best vet for dental problems here in the UK. Simon Maddock of Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton does dental procedures GA (or anaesthetic) free. This makes sure the piggy would be able to eat right away without the extra recovery from anaesthetic. Guinea pig owners all over the country travel to them specifically for this reason. Dental piggies would need a few treatments for their teeth to be corrected, hence doing it GA free is really on the advantage.
 
Sorry your boy is still struggling. You should be weighing daily and if he’s not maintaining then you have to syringe feed more regularly in the meantime.

Did the vet check his teeth again when you went back after the first dental?

I’ll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) our resident dental expert. If you are in UK then Simon and Kim are highly recommended.
 
anyar.dris said:
Where are you located? I've had dental piggies in the past and it's definitely not a lethal situation unless the vet has a very good understanding of how to correctly trim and fix the piggies' teeth. I ask for your location because we have the best vet for dental problems here in the UK. Simon Maddock of Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton does dental procedures GA (or anaesthetic) free. This makes sure the piggy would be able to eat right away without the extra recovery from anaesthetic. Guinea pig owners all over the country travel to them specifically for this reason. Dental piggies would need a few treatments for their teeth to be corrected, hence doing it GA free is really on the advantage.
Click to expand...
I would if I could but I’m in Australia! It was very expensive for the dental under anaesthetic and it was done by a small animal specialist. His teeth front teeth have already worn down at an angle because of whatever is happening in his mouth so another dental would be needed.
 
Yes, the front teeth being at an angle suggests there is a problem with his molars not being worn down properly. Is he eating any hay for himself? It is eating hay which will keep the teeth worn down. Continue to syringe feed him while he isn’t eating hay for himself and speak to the vet
 
Vicki-vw said:
I would if I could but I’m in Australia! It was very expensive for the dental under anaesthetic and it was done by a small animal specialist. His teeth front teeth have already worn down at an angle because of whatever is happening in his mouth so another dental would be needed.
Click to expand...
Where in Australia are you? I believe there's a vet there who does dental GA free too. Here is a link to someone's post a few weeks ago. Maybe you can also ask from a rescue in Australia where is their recommended vet just in case they know someone and direct you.

Dental - Best Practice for Dental Issues and Vet Suggestions for Sydney, Australia.
 
Siikibam said:
Sorry your boy is still struggling. You should be weighing daily and if he’s not maintaining then you have to syringe feed more regularly in the meantime.

Did the vet check his teeth again when you went back after the first dental?

I’ll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) our resident dental expert. If you are in UK then Simon and Kim are highly recommended.
Click to expand...

Hi, yes the vet has checked his teeth since having the dental. He isn’t eating or drinking anything on his own. Maintaining his weight ni
Siikibam said:
Sorry your boy is still struggling. You should be weighing daily and if he’s not maintaining then you have to syringe feed more regularly in the meantime.

Did the vet check his teeth again when you went back after the first dental?

I’ll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) our resident dental expert. If you are in UK then Simon and Kim are highly recommended.
Click to expand...

Hi, yes the has checked since the dental and there was nothing wrong. He’s favouring one side of his mouth though when chewing so teeth have already worn at an angle :(
 
Piggies&buns said:
Yes, the front teeth being at an angle suggests there is a problem with his molars not being worn down properly. Is he eating any hay for himself? It is eating hay which will keep the teeth worn down. Continue to syringe feed him while he isn’t eating hay for himself and speak to the vet
Click to expand...
Thank you. No, he isn’t eating anything at all on his own, or drinking water. Back to vet tomorrow though. He’s maintaining his weight through syringe feeding and I’m poking bits of green in with that - he’ll often eat the greens and then other times he’ll work it back out. He’s such a lovely, interactive boy - I just wish he would return to normal!
 
anyar.dris said:
Where in Australia are you? I believe there's a vet there who does dental GA free too. Here is a link to someone's post a few weeks ago. Maybe you can also ask from a rescue in Australia where is their recommended vet just in case they know someone and direct you.

Dental - Best Practice for Dental Issues and Vet Suggestions for Sydney, Australia.
Click to expand...
I’m about an hour and a half away from Sydney so the vet recommended in the thread that you sent is a possibility! Thank you so much
 
How did it go with the vet visit?
 
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