Signs Of Malocclusion But Teeth Are Fine - Not Eating

[Lynette09]

Hi, I am new to this site and looking for some advice/help on where to go as I am panicking about one of my boys.
Keiko is 4 and a half and a couple of months ago I had him at the vet to get him checked over as I had seen him move his head and jaw like something was stuck in his mouth and know with dental issues they need checked over quickly. He was checked over and no visible signs like wet chin loss of appetite, teeth looked healthy. I was told it could have been something had been stuck and if it persisted to take him back and they would sedate him to look further. Keiko had not done it again and was his happy chirpy hungry self.
On Saturday however I noticed he had gone off his food slightly and the head/jaw movement of something being stuck was back along with him struggling to eat and trying to eat slowly. I was given critical care to feed him over night and pain relief which did help him. I took him to the vet Sunday where it was found there was blood at the back of his mouth after a cotton bud was used and sight of it when the vet looked with the scope. I dropped him off at the vets this morning as he was getting a general anaesthetic to investigate and correct his teeth should that be the problem as he had started having a wet chin too. After pacing and worrying all morning the vets called at lunch. My boy was in recovery being woken which was a massive weight off straight away due to his age and risk, but, they found nothing wrong at all regarding his teeth/mouth and towards back of throat. No signs of blood (they said if he had maybe bitten his tongue it may be healing). The only thing they did notice was that he had a large base tongue. They could not give me an answer as to why he is struggling to eat and have put him on antibiotics (incase of infection somewhere causing this), emeprid and pain relief. They are syringe feeding him and know he may be uncomfortable after all the prodding but my fear now is there is no answer to fix this and he won't eat proper again. Does anyone have a similiar story/situation that may give me insight what can be done for my boy? They are going to see how he is through the night and tomorrow and then the vet will speak to me about options. I just want my boy home and feel awful he is in a strange place but know he will get the best of care and has just been syringe fed 10ml which is good.
Thank you in Advance

 

[eileen]

Hiya,and to the forum.I'm sorry your boy has problems eating.I had a similar situation recenty and found the route causr ,was begining of an abcess.strong antibiotics and teeth filing without a general anaesthetic[ga].syringe feeding for 5 months.,he is now eating normally.I hope your boy gets better soon.

 

[Freela]

I'm wondering if there could possibly be an abscess brewing. I went through similar symptoms with Sundae... she was pulling her lips back and looking like food was stuck and had gradual weight loss. That time she did have a molar spur, but a few weeks after her dental she had similar symptoms, but that time her teeth were fine on inspection. The vet still filed them down again a little bit, which got her back to eating until a couple months later, when suddenly her cheek puffed up in a huge abscess, along with a recurrence of symptoms. She had the abscess lanced and drained and all the dental symptoms now resolved. I would keep feeling along the jawbone for any lumps- it can take abscesses some time to 'ripen' and puff up, though they still may cause pain and difficulty chewing and overgrowth of teeth as the piggie chews on the other side. It might also be worth doing an x-ray to see if any abscess or abnormality can be seen below the gumline on x-ray. Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Lynette09]

I got Keiko back from the vets tonight and really worried. Him losing weight is noticeable and still won't eat : ( he is alert though. it's like he wants to as he put his nose in at food bowl and in hay but can't do it. He is making weird noises with his mouth and teeth like something is stuck and then a horrible grinding of teeth. The vets have told me to keep up with all his meds and critical care to see if it helps and to go straight back should anything change. How long should the baytril take to work if there is an infection? He was started on it yesterday. They said again they seen nothing at all wrong with his teeth or mouth when under ha yesterday so don't understand when clearly it's his jaw? I am so worried and it's heartbreaking seeing him like this : (

 

[Lynette09]

Update

The vet has just called and said Keiko's X-ray showed from a side view his teeth were like a ramp from the back ones to the front ones. She said the back molars were worn down normal but the front molars were the problem and not letting his incisors meet and able to close his mouth.

She also said that he was under light sedation for the x-ray and when they knew they were going to do work they put him under a deeper sedation which is when they noticed that his jaw opens wider than usual. Would this be because of the way his jaw was when the teeth were like a ramp?

She also found a nic on the side of his tongue which is healing and I worried it may be from when I am syringe feeding him but she said no it wouldn't be. She stated there was no signs of spurs, broken teeth or roots.

He is currently coming around from his sedation and the vet said he may still be hallucinating as he jumps sometimes like he has had a fright. I am picking him up in a couple of hours and cannot wait to get him back home where he will be more comfortable. My stomach had been in knots all morning that again they would say they didn't find anything and now I have some hope that Keiko can get back to his normal self and not be in pain with his mouth problems.

She said he should start eating by himself again in the next couple of days. How long does it take them to be able to start eating again after this procedure? One thing Keiko has always done is bite the bars of his cage. His brother Oliver squeaks like mad when it's food time or speaking to them but Keiko always bit the bars of his cage with excitement. Think his brother overpowers his squeak and so he gets his excitement over another way ha ha Could this be something that has contributed to this?

Is there anything more I can do to help aide Keikos recovery from this procedure? Does anyone have any idea on why this has happened as his back teeth were normal. Thank you again for all your help : )

 

[Lynette09]

NewSorry for the late reply.

Keiko had perked up a bit yesterday in that he accepted syringe feeds with ease and ate 3 tiny bits of celery leaves although it took him ages and he kept doing the mouth movement of something being stuck : ( but today he hasn't touched anything. Sniffs stuff like fresh grass and dandelion leaves I picked out garden that he loves but no eating

I have found an exotics vet and he has an appt in a couple of hours as I don't believe the existing vet has done this properly.

Between the 2 times they sedated Keiko they have taken over £250 and my boy is still the same : (

Keikos appt with new exotic vet is in a couple of hours and I am praying he sees something other vet didn't and can make him better

I have noticed though that he is hardly doing any poos and this too is worryin me. It's heartbreaking seeing him want to eat but he can't. I am still syringe feeding him and also water with probiotic in it