Overgrown Teeth

[Little Ones]

My Guinea pigs two top teeth have overgrown to the point where they're pressing down on his bottom lip, I went to the vets about a month or two ago and I was told that if they get too long, he'll have to have them clipped I think he said, but I know they're not supposed to have them clipped. Is there any way I can get him to chew on the wooden toys I have provided? I don't want to resort to dental work but if I have to, I will, I just want him to file them down himself, any suggestions?

 

[Wiebke]

My Guinea pigs two top teeth have overgrown to the point where they're pressing down on his bottom lip, I went to the vets about a month or two ago and I was told that if they get too long, he'll have to have them clipped I think he said, but I know they're not supposed to have them clipped. Is there any way I can get him to chew on the wooden toys I have provided? I don't want to resort to dental work but if I have to, I will, I just want him to file them down himself, any suggestions?

Overgrown front teeth are usually caused by overgrown pre-molars, unless there is a malocclusion. Front teeth are normally sef-sharpening in a working dental system.
Has your vet looked at the teeth at the back and has he got any experience with guinea pig dentals?

I am tagging our members with the most experience with guinea pigs with dental issues for you: @furryfriends (TEAS) @MintyAndGarry (TEAS)

 

[Little Ones]

Overgrown front teeth are usually caused by overgrown pre-molars, unless there is a malocclusion. Front teeth are normally sef-sharpening in a working dental system.
Has your vet looked at the teeth at the back and has he got any experience with guinea pig dentals?

I am tagging our members with the most experience with guinea pigs with dental issues for you: @furryfriends (TEAS) @MintyAndGarry (TEAS)

He said that if they needed clipping he would see if it was a problem with the back teeth, I'm not sure if he has experience in dental work and I don't know any vets near by that do for definite, I don't have a car so travelling would be difficult, I hope it's not something serious

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Unfortunately the only advice I can give you is to bring your piggy to see the vet we use. It's a long way, but people travel from all over the UK with their dental piggies to see him. The results he gets are fantastic and in most cases he can do the dental work without the need for anaesthetic.

It is Simon Maddock of the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic www.catandrabbit.co.uk

 

[Wiebke]

I agree with @furryfriends.

To be honest, your vet doesn't sound like he has much experience with dentals.

Even though it is a long trip, people from all over Britain come to see Simon Maddock for their dental guinea pigs. He sees them on a daily basis and has probably got the best experience. If it is at all possible, please make the trip; it may be a life-saver for your piggy, as it has been for a number of forum members and UK rescue piggies.

He recently treated my 6 year old Hywel for a nasty tooth root abscess in his jaw; Hywel has got over that a smoothly as possible and is back to enjoying his life despite being minus one incisor.

 

[Little Ones]

Unfortunately the only advice I can give you is to bring your piggy to see the vet we use. It's a long way, but people travel from all over the UK with their dental piggies to see him. The results he gets are fantastic and in most cases he can do the dental work without the need for anaesthetic.

It is Simon Maddock of the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic www.catandrabbit.co.uk

I agree with @furryfriends.

To be honest, your vet doesn't sound like he has much experience with dentals.

Even though it is a long trip, people from all over Britain come to see Simon Maddock for their dental guinea pigs. He sees them on a daily basis and has probably got the best experience. If it is at all possible, please make the trip; it may be a life-saver for your piggy, as it has been for a number of forum members and UK rescue piggies.

He recently treated my 6 year old Hywel for a nasty tooth root abscess in his jaw; Hywel has got over that a smoothly as possible and is back to enjoying his life despite being minus one incisor.

Okay thank you both, I'll have to think about it, it's a 3 and a half hour journey and with school, I'll have to see if it would be at all possible, thanks again

 

[Wiebke]

Okay thank you both, I'll have to think about it, it's a 3 and a half hour journey and with school, I'll have to see if it would be at all possible, thanks again

Please do if at all possible - it is going to be a life saver! The clinic is open on Saturday mornings, so with an early start it should be doable.

Until then, please monitor the weight daily, idealy before you give dinner, and top up with syringe feed as much as necessary. Our syringe feeding guide has got tips for feedng dental piggies: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Freela]

Generally by the time the front teeth show overgrowth, there is an issue with the back molars that has been present for awhile. Is he eating normally? Has he lost any weight? The best thing for keeping teeth at a proper level is to give unlimited hay- it's very hard to chew and the normal chewing motion will wear down the teeth, including the molars. However, there are reasons why guinea pigs with even a hay-rich diet may develop dental issues. My best advice would be to find a vet that is knowledgeable with guinea pig teeth to assess and do dental work and assess for any underlying issues. Unfortunately I've learned the hard way that letting an inexperienced vet have a go at teeth may just interfere with the bite more than it was before. Lots of luck with your little guy! Sundae had dental issues for awhile, but in her case the underlying problem was a dental abscess and once the abscess was cleared she began to chew normally and have normal tooth wear again.

 

[Little Ones]

Generally by the time the front teeth show overgrowth, there is an issue with the back molars that has been present for awhile. Is he eating normally? Has he lost any weight? The best thing for keeping teeth at a proper level is to give unlimited hay- it's very hard to chew and the normal chewing motion will wear down the teeth, including the molars. However, there are reasons why guinea pigs with even a hay-rich diet may develop dental issues. My best advice would be to find a vet that is knowledgeable with guinea pig teeth to assess and do dental work and assess for any underlying issues. Unfortunately I've learned the hard way that letting an inexperienced vet have a go at teeth may just interfere with the bite more than it was before. Lots of luck with your little guy! Sundae had dental issues for awhile, but in her case the underlying problem was a dental abscess and once the abscess was cleared she began to chew normally and have normal tooth wear again.

He's eating normally and weighs the same, he has unlimited hay too, they don't seem as over grown as they use to be which is plus, getting to an experienced vet will be difficult for me, especially if in the end there isn't a problem, it's hard to decide what to do for the best, the vet I went to before wasn't experienced in dental work and I know that now, I'm so glad I didn't decide to go and have my Guinea pigs teeth "clipped" now as I was considering it a few months back, thank you for your help and I'm glad Sundae got better

 

[Little Ones]

Please do if at all possible - it is going to be a life saver! The clinic is open on Saturday mornings, so with an early start it should be doable.

Until then, please monitor the weight daily, idealy before you give dinner, and top up with syringe feed as much as necessary. Our syringe feeding guide has got tips for feedng dental piggies: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Thank you, I'll weigh him daily now, he doesn't seem to loose any weight but it could just be very subtle changes, so I'll be sure to do that. Ill keep assessing him and if I think there's a problem then I'll find a way to take him, they don't seem as long as they were before luckily so I'll keep checking them, thanks for your help

 

[Little Ones]

Unfortunately the only advice I can give you is to bring your piggy to see the vet we use. It's a long way, but people travel from all over the UK with their dental piggies to see him. The results he gets are fantastic and in most cases he can do the dental work without the need for anaesthetic.

It is Simon Maddock of the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic www.catandrabbit.co.uk

Please do if at all possible - it is going to be a life saver! The clinic is open on Saturday mornings, so with an early start it should be doable.

Until then, please monitor the weight daily, idealy before you give dinner, and top up with syringe feed as much as necessary. Our syringe feeding guide has got tips for feedng dental piggies: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

At would point would you both suggest going to the vets? It's going to be a long way and I would have to get my Nanan to take me which will be a struggle for her too. I can see his teeth when his mouth is "closed". They aren't touching his bottom lip anymore but if you both think I should schedule an appointment then I will try my best, he is eating well and his appetite hasn't changed and I don't see any weight loss