Need advice about missing teeth/ mouth infection. old boar.

[ninjapig28]

I have a bit of a tale to tell so bear with me please.

A few years ago my (now nearly 5) boar sam had an abscess and an infected root. His lower front left tooth came out and he recovered. Now the right is infected, anti biotics arent curing it and the vet says he may need to get the tooth out. This would mean he would have no lower teeth at the front and after his last op (2 weeks ago, over grown back teeth...now i know why...how they missed the infection i dont know...) he struggled to come round. The infection is being held at bay so hes got a few weeks anti biotics and if the tooth doesn't fall out its to be removed. Can guinea pigs live with only 2 upper front teeth? I never expected this to happen again to the remaining lower tooth and I'm really really angry at the vet (not the same one) for missing the infection...again.....:...

I dont know what to do now. He seems happy enough and can still eat all be it slowly. Now i know why the back teeth were overgrown....bloody vet...
Good vets for piggies are few and far between!

 

[Wiebke]

Can you contact the CCT (Cambridge Cavy Trust)? They can probably give you the best information for tooth care and what to best do.
http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/cct.html

 

[ninjapig28]

I've had a look on the site but it doesnt say much, all they list is a postal address.

 

[Pebble]

Take out the membership and then send a text to Vedra asking for an (URGENT) appointment....(even if your cheque hasn;t cleared - do it same day you have taken out memebership She will reply by text and give you a time and date. If it doesnt work for you, text her back and re-arrange.

I texted her the other day over an emergency and had an a reply to see the piggie concerned within two hours of my text .....

x

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Her contact number is 07721 026401. The proper BAR/CCT website is www.britishassociationofrodentologists.co.uk

Pigs can do ok with permanently missing incisors, but the two opposing ones will need regular (weekly minimum) filing/trimming and you have to be very vigilant about his ability to eat.

 

[ninjapig28]

The only problem is I'm in scotland and i cant drive but i'm having a good look at the site. I'm watching him like a hawlk so nothing new, could i fill them my self or is that a job for the vet. I dont think he could take much more anesthetic to be honest.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Filing them can be learnt yourself with the right teacher. Vedra taught me. Personally I find it easier to file the uppers than the lowers as I'm used to gripping the top jaw, the lower one is a bit more fiddly with having to support it but it's easy once you know how.

Some vets will agree that no anaesthetic is required for incisor work, it's the back teeth the large majority don't like to go near without the pig being unconscious. Frustrating as so many pigs need regular molar work, or they're in a very bad way and won't survive any treatment simply because the vet won't do anything without anaesthetic.....I could go on. rolleyes

With your Sam, the question will be whether he will be happy to eat with the remaining incisor of that set missing. Some pigs do, they can learn to eat normal foods albeit cut up for them (sometimes cubed, sometimes grated). When they eat for themselves they can wear the molars down themselves. If they don't eat for themselves, relying mainly on syringe-feeds, the back teeth can keep overgrowing.

 

[ninjapig28]

Hes managing to eat on his own, some times he'll need a hand but he can chew. The top 2 will be left so filing my self may be an option. I will say to the vet about no anesthetic, hes a good pig and doesnt struggle so that could work. He is currently curled up with a hot water bottle (I'm in scotland!) but his general demeanor is quite good.

 

[ninjapig28]

funny story. my aunt gave sam a healing yesterday (was willing to try anything) and his tooth came out today! he can get to healing now.