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Please help regarding molars

  • Thread starter Thread starter hamtaroplanet
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hamtaroplanet

Hi everyone,

I have put my finger into my guinea pig's mouth and the molars of the bottom teeth are touching each other. This guinea pig is eating and drinking well. But I am still worried. It's front teeth are perfect, not overgrown. But it's the lower molars that I am worried about, the molars are supposed to be separate right?
 
Yes they are....you could try phoning the Cambridge Cavy Trust for advise, and they may even see your piggie and help you. If you took him to the vets they would most likely want to sedate him to sort the teeth out. Which I think is rubbish as it can be done without putting the piggy under a GA.
 
I'm sorry, but I don't stay in UK. I don't know, I guess I will bring it to the vet and if they do suggest sedation then I won't do it.

I wonder if it is possible that it will wear it down on its own?
 
yes, it has hay to eat. The other guinea pig that lives together does not experience the same problem. I don't know what to do now, anyone with similar experiences, please share.
 
Hi hamtaro,

Do you weigh your guinea regularly? This will give you another view on whether he is eating as much as normal. There is usually some degree of eating trouble associated with dental problems.

The molars on each side should not be touching in the middle, you should be able to feel the tongue between each side. If the teeth reach this stage they begin to trap the tongue down and symptoms such as dribbling often develop.

What country are you in? I know a website which lists recommended vets in various countries, I may be able to find something for you. It appears to be less common in the US to sedate a guinea for dental work and x-rays, than it is in UK.
 
I come from Singapore and hence I don't think you'd be able to find a vet for me. =) But thanks anyway.

I am pretty sure, that the vet will sedate the guinea pig. I am hoping that this will be alright.

I have another question, is it possible for me to file the teeth myself? (not that I would try this immediately without researching) but I wonder if this is an option.
 
You're right there, I have come across other guinea pig owners in Singapore but each has the same problem as yourself regarding veterinary care.

Unfortunately, without the right tools and training, it's not possible to treat the molars safely yourself. You could buy the tools from the Cambridge Cavy Trust (they will ship worldwide) but you'd still need hands-on training to learn how to use them - without the training it would be too easy to go wrong.

It is good that he is eating himself, still.

If the vet will not treat him without sedation, make sure the vet uses an anesthetic called Isoflurane, or Servoflurane. Hopefully one of these will be available at your vets. These are the "safest" anesthetics to use with guinea pigs, so if it does become a case of treatment under sedation, or no treatment and potentially losing your guinea, then I would prefer to recommend treatment under sedation.
 
yes, I saw the tools as well and would probably know how to make them on my own. Of course I understand that it is extremely dangerous since the tongue is really close to the teeth.

The file is just a normal human nail file?

I don't know, I hope to call them up and ask over the phone first before bringing down the pig.
 
just an update: I am feeling a little more relaxed now because I have found a vet who is knowledgeable about rabbit dental health. I hope to make an appointment soon. Keep you guys updated!
 
Hi
About 5 years ago my guinea pig developed dental problems. At the time I knew no better and he had his molars trimmed regularly by the vet under sedation. He always recovered well, I lost count of how many times!
Needless to say my latest little one was treated without sedation by a rodentologist. If having teeth trimmed with sedation is the only option open to you go for it! If it is done before he has lost too much weight he will recover better.
Good luck!
 
turns out the molars are not jointed together as I have thought and do not have spurs. The vet suggested monitoring awhile more. He said that he could perform the filing but it has to be sedated. He said it would be risky.

I have bought apple sticks, wonder if this helps?

Also gave lots of hay now.
 
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