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Teeth problem, advice really needed

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Dippyemmy

Dippyemmy

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Hi there, one of my piggies is not in a good way. A few weeks ago I noticed she was hunching up in corners and although getting excited about food it was taking a long time for her to eat. We went to the vets who said everything in her mouth looked fine and only option was to knock her out for xray. This scared me senseless so we decided to keep an eye on her. She seemed to improve a little bit but then started doing a strange mouth movement where she looked like she was regurgitating food. We went back to vets and had xray. They found her teeth were overgrown on one side and growing flat on the other side so the filed them down. This is the first time I've dealt with a pig teeth issue so I thought this would mean she would now be fine. She had this done on Friday and although her mood seems better and interest in food has increased a little she now is getting very wet and brown under her mouth. We have cleaned her but it comes back. It smells like poo but can't be certain. Can anyone give me any clue what is going on?
 
Pigs that have a dental often need further ones due to the fact that their teeth grow so quickly. Hopefully Debbie one of the admins will be along soon as she runs a dental sanctuary in Northampton. Is she on any pain relief? The bad smell could either be the fact that the food is staying in her mouth and not being swallowed or she could have oral thrush in conjunction with her dental problem.
 
Thank you. She is on 0.15ml of pain killers for 6 days but doesn't seem to make a difference. X
 
I am sorry to hear that your piggy is suffering from dental issues. Unfortunately, in most cases, dental problems aren't just solved with one dental. Did your vet do the dental under GA? Ideally the teeth will need re-checking after about a week and further filing may be necessary as the teeth will regrow very quickly if the guinea pig isn't eating. This is where having a vet who will do the dental without GA is so useful. It means that regular filing can be done, while the piggy learns to eat for itself again. Pain relief is imperative as a piggy who is in pain won't eat. One of the best vets for dealing with dental issues is Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton. People travel from all over the UK to him. He has worked wonders with many piggies here at the Sanctuary. Are you syringe feeding your piggy? How much food are you managing to get into her? x
 
Yes it was under GA. She is eating little bits of food when hand fed and giving her syringe food of critical care aswell. If the dental went to right should she have just gone back to normal eating? Friday alone cost £230 and petrified of having to decide between debt and seeing her suffer x
 
No, it can take varying times for a piggy to start eating for themselves again. Is there any way you could get your piggy up here to Northampton so she could be seen by Simon. I offer temporary sanctuary places for dental piggies so they can receive treatment from Simon Maddock. If you would like to consider this my contact details are on my website www.teasnorthampton.co.uk
 
Although it can take a while for a piggie to start eating again of their own accord after a dental, I would however be concerned at the slobbering/wet/brown chin as it could mean there are other dental issues that still need correcting.

This week I shall be travelling up to see Simon in Northampton with two of my own piggies for a toofie check- hopefully wednesday morning. If you want to cadge a lift then PM me.
One of my piggies, Sammy, originally developed slobbers and was given an emergency dental by my own vet....and i very nearly lost him to the GA. A week later I took him up to Simon as he still wasn;t eating and his molars needed filing again and also Simon corrected his incisors which were actually the main problem...they were too long and the molars couldn;t meet properly to grind themselves down, hence why they'd overgrown and originally trapped his tongue. That was over 4 months ago and he has been fine ever since...but I've noticed his incisors are uneven again hence the routine check-up with Simon next week.
HTH
x
 
Pebble said:
Although it can take a while for a piggie to start eating again of their own accord after a dental, I would however be concerned at the slobbering/wet/brown chin as it could mean there are other dental issues that still need correcting.

This week I shall be travelling up to see Simon in Northampton with two of my own piggies for a toofie check- hopefully wednesday morning. If you want to cadge a lift then PM me.
One of my piggies, Sammy, originally developed slobbers and was given an emergency dental by my own vet....and i very nearly lost him to the GA. A week later I took him up to Simon as he still wasn;t eating and his molars needed filing again and also Simon corrected his incisors which were actually the main problem...they were too long and the molars couldn;t meet properly to grind themselves down, hence why they'd overgrown and originally trapped his tongue. That was over 4 months ago and he has been fine ever since...but I've noticed his incisors are uneven again hence the routine check-up with Simon next week.
HTH
x
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Thank you for that Cheryl, and sorry I didn't get to the phone. I am actually in the bath! It's been a very hectic evening as I have been trying to sort out some help for a neglected cat, so running late with everything! Anyway we will catch up tomorrow evening xx
 
No problem FF - it's been an eventful day for you on many fronts and I completely agree that bath time is sacrosanct.....please don't drop your 'puter in the water though ;)

Dippy - can I suggest you have a chat with FF regarding her offer as I really think, given your description of your piggie's current symptoms that a visit to Simon/temporary residency sooner rather than later would be in their best interests....and be more financially acceptable than the bill you've just paid.......(My own vets are one of the more expensive in the South East but even I don;t get charged that amount for a dental/GA.....and my standard consult fee alone is £48!)

I shall be booking my appointment with Simon tomorrow for wednesday and would need to know by end of tomorrow if you wish me to pick up your piggie en route.

x
 
Thanks for such quick advice. I am ok to get her to Northampton. How would temporary residency with you work? Feeling so helpless!
 
Give me a ring tomorrow. Basically I provide the supportive care needed and all dental work would be carried out by Simon. I make no charge for boarding but donations to sanctuary are always very welcome. Vet bills can be paid over the phone directly to the practice. My contact phone numbers are on my website xx
 
Now need more advice! After getting antibiotics and the right painkillers on Friday I have noticed today that Honey has dried bloody snot on her nose, only a small bit but obviously this isn't right. I don't know if it's related to the meds?
 
Yes Debbie, the new metacam knocked her out a bit too much yesterday morning so gave reduced dose this morning. Could this be related to her teeth?
 
I've never had it happen with any of the dental piggies here, but there could be some deep seated infection. The Zithromax will sort out any infection. If you are worried at all phone Simon or Kim. They will be more than happy to get back to you to advise. xx
 
Thanks Debbie, going to wipe her and see if it reappears. She seems happier in herself, really just want her to be well again xx
 
Hi Debbie, Honey is pretty much back to her usual self! She had her back teeth filed again last night to keep them away from her cheek but she has managed to sort her front ones herself. So grateful for your advice and to Kim & Simon for giving me my piggie back :-)
 
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