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Dental Teeth question

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Nikki26

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago about my guinea pig ‘Ugo who had an abscess under his chin.The vet operated on him and marsupialised the abscess and 2.5 weeks on, he is recovering really well.

however, at his last check up, the vet felt a lump on his lower jaw and I have noticed that ‘Ugo is not eating as fast as the others. He wants to eat but the food doesn’t go in very quickly. Ihave also noticed him standing still,looking like he’s chewing but he hadn’t eaten anything. Lastly, he had his two bottom front teeth filed during his op and they are wonky again already (picture below).

I am thinking elongated roots. I would love to take him to place in Northampton that I keep reading about but i live in the south east and am a two hour drive so a four hour round trip might be too much for ‘Ugo. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do or where to go?70DF0A72-F107-4C35-BDAB-93C998682BD2.webp
 
I can't really help but there is a list of recommended vets on the the forum. The Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton really is the best place to go with dental issues. Forum members travel there from all over the country.

I'll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) who may be able to offer some advice.
 
Nikki26 said:
Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago about my guinea pig ‘Ugo who had an abscess under his chin.The vet operated on him and marsupialised the abscess and 2.5 weeks on, he is recovering really well.

however, at his last check up, the vet felt a lump on his lower jaw and I have noticed that ‘Ugo is not eating as fast as the others. He wants to eat but the food doesn’t go in very quickly. Ihave also noticed him standing still,looking like he’s chewing but he hadn’t eaten anything. Lastly, he had his two bottom front teeth filed during his op and they are wonky again already (picture below).

I am thinking elongated roots. I would love to take him to place in Northampton that I keep reading about but i live in the south east and am a two hour drive so a four hour round trip might be too much for ‘Ugo. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do or where to go?View attachment 125228
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Unfortunately, it sounds like the abscess is making a come back. :(
The slanted incisors are a sign that one side is more painful. I had that experience with my Hywel, so I feel for you!

If it is any help for you, I have travelled over 3 hours on the train with piggies between 7 weeks and 9 years of age.
Last year I went by train to adopt my Breila and Cerian from April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue in Sandwich. They have survived their long journey with a jog between St Pancras and Euston station in London well. ;)

Travelling with guinea pigs
 
Someone posted about their vet who spoke to cat and rabbit clinic and was able to follow their guidance for a conscious dental. I'm sure that was south somewhere but my brain is frazzled and I can't remember who it was. Does anyone else remember?
 
Lady Kelly said:
Someone posted about their vet who spoke to cat and rabbit clinic and was able to follow their guidance for a conscious dental. I'm sure that was south somewhere but my brain is frazzled and I can't remember who it was. Does anyone else remember?
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I don’t remember where but I do remember reading that post quite recently
 
We live in North Wales and we travel to Cat & Rabbit every time we have a dental piggy. Our travel is usually around 4 hrs from the house, so that's around 8 hrs at most back & forth. But Simon Maddock is the best when it comes to dental problems. If you have the means to go there, I can assure you it'll be worth it.
 
Thanks everyone. I will call the Cat & Rabbit place in the morning and will see if I can get an appointment. For the people who have gone there, do they do the dentals then and there? (Will I be able to get there & back and have treatment in one day?)
 
Nikki26 said:
Thanks everyone. I will call the Cat & Rabbit place in the morning and will see if I can get an appointment. For the people who have gone there, do they do the dentals then and there? (Will I be able to get there & back and have treatment in one day?)
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Yes, dental treatment is there and then during your appointment. ;)
Yours should be very minor because the problem is the abscess and not a major dental problem. If you are lucky, your back teeth won't be affected (Hywel's weren't either time).
 
I had it in my head that the back teeth would be involved. What do you think is going on? The abscess would is still healing so is still a little open and I can’t feel that it is growing again. Would the vet just straighten up his front teeth? I do suspect his back teeth are involved as he isn’t eating as normal. This is my first dental pig as it’s making me feel sick with worry!
 
Definitely worth a vet visit to see someone with knowledge of teeth. From my experience with facial abscesses, he is likely uncomfortable and chewing more on the side that isn't sore- this leads to the teeth overgrowing on the affected side. By the time the incisors are abnormal, the back molars that you can't really see are likely even more overgrown, so make sure to see a vet who is familiar enough with guinea pig dentistry to address the back molars as well... just trimming the front incisors is not enough to fix the problem. Is the new lump your vet felt on the side that is overgrowing? I suspect there is another abscess brewing there that will have to be dealt with to make him more comfortable and more able to chew evenly, so that once his teeth are planed down again he will be able to eat more normally to help them wear evenly.
 
Lady Kelly said:
Someone posted about their vet who spoke to cat and rabbit clinic and was able to follow their guidance for a conscious dental. I'm sure that was south somewhere but my brain is frazzled and I can't remember who it was. Does anyone else remember?
Click to expand...
I think it was a vet based in Brixham if I remember correctly.
 
yes the vet is called Jess at the Brixham branch, she does not have as much experience as Simon (who does) but is very keen to do more dental work, has all the equipment needed and can do conscious dentals depend upon what’s needed. She has filed Bills uneven incisors and did a lovely job and great with guinea pigs and her nurse is lovely with them too
 
Thanks everyone. I took him to a local Rodentologist today and she filed his back teeth down for me. She said the were overgrown but were not trapping his teeth. She said it feels like there’s a lump behind his abscess would so thinks another abscess is brewing.

In the meantime, ‘Ugo isn’t eating as much, is eating slowly and is losing weight. I’ve syringed him some mushed up pellets tonight but am starting to lose hope.Depending on how things go, I am going to book a vet appointment for wednesday night and if he is still not eating well and is losing more weight then I may have a difficult decision to make.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Please get him seen by Simon Maddock, before making any decisions.
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I couldn't agree with this more. Furryfriends has taken in many a pig who was destined to be pts and has been able to give them a new life through Simon's work. It's hard to believe that expertise would vary so vastly but there seriously is no one better for dealing with teeth problems. Filing too much off can be just as bad, I personally would only see a fully trained vet for something like this as pain relief will be needed to keep them comfortable too
 
Simon has perfected his skill over more than 14 years and is able to completely cure a lot of dental issues. Those that don't completely cure, still eat as well as any other guinea pig, but just need a quick tidy up of teeth every so often. Simon is able to carry out the dental work without the need for GA and it literally takes around 10 mins at the most.
 
Would you be worried that another abscess is potentially brewing? Even if we get his teeth right, is it fair to put him through another op on an abscess. I know that it’s impossible for you to comment when you haven’t seen him but I worry that I’m just prolonging things. It breaks my heart seeing him look so skinny.
 
I think with the correct treatment this could be sorted. We have a piggy called Tilly. She had an abscess behind her eye and had her eye removed. She recovered well, but two days later a tooth root abscess appeared. She needed further surgery to marsupialise it and again made a good recovery. Since undergoing two ops in four days she’s made tremendous progress. Going from 650g to 950g at last weigh in! I came very close to calling it a day, but so glad I didn’t. I couldn’t have achieved this without Simon! I think it would be worth getting his honest opinion, re prognosis!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I think with the correct treatment this could be sorted. We have a piggy called Tilly. She had an abscess behind her eye and had her eye removed. She recovered well, but two days later a tooth root abscess appeared. She needed further surgery to marsupialise it and again made a good recovery. Since undergoing two ops in four days she’s made tremendous progress. Going from 650g to 950g at last weigh in! I came very close to calling it a day, but so glad I didn’t. I couldn’t have achieved this without Simon! I think it would be worth getting his honest opinion, re prognosis!
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Ok, you have convinced me. I will give them a call in the morning.
 
you won’t be disappointed, hang in there, you will get him sorted, Simon is amazing!
 
Yes please see Simon.He has cured two of my piggies who had ongoing dental issues.We go for checks occasionally but nothing needs doing.Its just for piece of mind for me as they were really badly affected by their dental issues.He cant always completely cure but he can make a significant difference to quality of life.
I have met beautiful Tilly who furryfriends (TEAS) referred to and she is an amazing little piggy who has gone through so much but with Simons help and excellent home care has a very happy and full life
 
How is Ugo today?.Did you manage to get an appointment with Simon?
 
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