Dental Top front teeth removal

[Cookieandcream]

Our one year old guinea, Cream, has no bottom front teeth. She has already had her top front teeth burred twice. First time cost £80 second time our vet reduced the rate to £50 as this was going to be an ongoing condition.
He has recommended having her top front teeth removed at a cost of £300. He said there is a chance he may not be able to remove the roots completely as it would be difficult to do this, thus ending up back at square one!
Would really appreciate some advice on this and whether these costs are excessive.
Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Our one year old guinea, Cream, has no bottom front teeth. She has already had her top front teeth burred twice. First time cost £80 second time our vet reduced the rate to £50 as this was going to be an ongoing condition.
He has recommended having her top front teeth removed at a cost of £300. He said there is a chance he may not be able to remove the roots completely as it would be difficult to do this, thus ending up back at square one!
Would really appreciate some advice on this and whether these costs are excessive.
Thank you.

Incisors are about 4 cm long, they grow along the bridge of the jaw; removing them is quite a tricky and not very quick operation as I know from my Nesta who needed one of theirs removed because of an abscessed root. Her operation cost me about £200 for just the one tooth.

I am linking in @furryfriends (TEAS) who runs a sanctuary for guinea pigs with chronic dental problems and @karonus who used to care long term for a boar with only two incisors left (without removing the other two).

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

We currently have three piggies, here at TEAS, who have missing incisors, who need the opposing ones burring three weekly. It’s by far the better way, as they can be difficult and risky to remove. Where about do you live? You seem to be paying a huge amount for a very quick and simple procedure.

 

[Cookieandcream]

We currently have three piggies, here at TEAS, who have missing incisors, who need the opposing ones burring three weekly. It’s by far the better way, as they can be difficult and risky to remove. Where about do you live? You seem to be paying a huge amount for a very quick and simple procedure.

Thank you for your message.
We live in Farnham, Surrey and our vets are, Companion Care Vets within the Pets at Home store.
I did wonder whether I should approach other local vets and ask if they regularly treat guinea pigs and how much they would charge for this procedure.
I note that you said your piggies have their teeth burred every month. I was told Cream would need to have this done every two to three months, I’m worried I’m leaving it too long now.
Thank you for your advice, it’s much appreciated.

 

[Cookieandcream]

Incisors are about 4 cm long, they grow along the bridge of the jaw; removing them is quite a tricky and not very quick operation as I know from my Nesta who needed one of theirs removed because of an abscessed root. Her operation cost me about £200 for just the one tooth.

I am linking in @furryfriends (TEAS) who runs a sanctuary for guinea pigs with chronic dental problems and @karonus who used to care long term for a boar with only two incisors left (without removing the other two).

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your message.
We live in Farnham, Surrey and our vets are, Companion Care Vets within the Pets at Home store.
I did wonder whether I should approach other local vets and ask if they regularly treat guinea pigs and how much they would charge for this procedure.
I note that you said your piggies have their teeth burred every month. I was told Cream would need to have this done every two to three months, I’m worried I’m leaving it too long now.
Thank you for your advice, it’s much appreciated.

How often you have to burr the front teeth depends; I know that karonus did it less often.

Please be aware that many vets are not familiar with guinea pig dentals, especially general vets and even many exotics vets. Prices won't be any cheaper I would expect!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Unless the teeth grow exceptionally slowly (this sometimes happens with older pigs) then three to four weeks is normal. Does your vet burr the teeth without anaesthesia? Our vet burrs the teeth with the guinea pig conscious.

 

[Guineautopia]

Hi, I have a piggie with missing bottom teeth, he’s been like this for 18 months. I have his top teeth burred regularly. At the most this is 3 weeks but it’s also been as long as a few months. My vet and I are working out if the length of time is due to the type of hay I feed at which times. My local very good vet charges £30 and it is quick and easy. I’ve tried another vet which only charged £15 but I had to travel 20 mins to get there, now I stick with my local vet. I’m in Berkshire and know a good vet in Bracknell and Cove but not sure if they too far for you?
At the start we discussed removing his top teeth but I decided that as he copes so well with the burring visits, that's good for us. I do not want to put him through an op.
Hope that helps

 

[Cookieandcream]

Hi, I have a piggie with missing bottom teeth, he’s been like this for 18 months. I have his top teeth burred regularly. At the most this is 3 weeks but it’s also been as long as a few months. My vet and I are working out if the length of time is due to the type of hay I feed at which times. My local very good vet charges £30 and it is quick and easy. I’ve tried another vet which only charged £15 but I had to travel 20 mins to get there, now I stick with my local vet. I’m in Berkshire and know a good vet in Bracknell and Cove but not sure if they too far for you?
At the start we discussed removing his top teeth but I decided that as he copes so well with the burring visits, that's good for us. I do not want to put him through an op.
Hope that helps

Hi. Thank you all for your replies to my post, much appreciated.
In answer to your questions, Guineautopia- Thank you for sharing your piggies dental experience. I’ve looked Bracknell up on google maps and It’s too far for me to travel with Cream but from what you’ve said I think I need to do some research and see if I can find a good local vet who would burr Creams teeth regularly for a cheaper fee.
Furry friends - my vet gives Cream a sniff of anaesthetic, enough to last half a minute as he says the noise of the burring machine would be too stressful for her.
From what you’ve all said I think it would be better for Cream if I continued to have her teeth burred regularly rather than put her through a tricky op.

 

[Guineautopia]

Glad it helped. Also, it may be that a different vet does not need to use any anesthetiser, it really depends on the piggy and vet. Mine is fine and doesn’t need anything and eats straight after. But I can understand some piggies may find it stressful. Hope you find another vet locally

 

[VickiA]

I’ve just seen this thread. I’m fostering a piggy born into the rescue missing her lower incisors. Initially her front incisors were burred whilst conscious and she coped very well each time. however the quality of her top incisors (whilst growing quickly) deteriorated and it became impossible to burr them without a risk of them fracturing. She has now had the incisors carefully removed. She is coping admirably without them.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’ve just seen this thread. I’m fostering a piggy born into the rescue missing her lower incisors. Initially her front incisors were burred whilst conscious and she coped very well each time. however the quality of her top incisors (whilst growing quickly) deteriorated and it became impossible to burr them without a risk of them fracturing. She has now had the incisors carefully removed. She is coping admirably without them.

Guinea pigs cope very well without them, but I just don't think it is worth the risk of getting them removed if you don't have to. Simon is considering removing Maddie's one remaining incisor, but she copes well with having it burred and it very strong, despite standing all alone.

 

[Kindness]

Had the vet done xrays on the back teeth? Usually dental problems can also occur on the molars also, would be worth finding out.

 

[karonus]

Astro our boar lost his bottom incisors as a result of abscesses. Through regular four weekly dentals we were able to extend his life by over 2 years until he passed last feb at the age of about 7 years. A priority is to find a vet who is prepared to do conscious dentals as the regularity of the treatment makes GA very risky and also costly. We were prepared to do the round trip from Dudley in the west midlands to Northampton as even with the journey costs it was still cheaper than the risk of using a local vet. Also as part of the regular dentals in reducing the top incisors his molars got regular checks as they often produced spurs. After 18 months of regular dentals his molars were excellent.

 

[Cookieandcream]

Astro our boar lost his bottom incisors as a result of abscesses. Through regular four weekly dentals we were able to extend his life by over 2 years until he passed last feb at the age of about 7 years. A priority is to find a vet who is prepared to do conscious dentals as the regularity of the treatment makes GA very risky and also costly. We were prepared to do the round trip from Dudley in the west midlands to Northampton as even with the journey costs it was still cheaper than the risk of using a local vet. Also as part of the regular dentals in reducing the top incisors his molars got regular checks as they often produced spurs. After 18 months of regular dentals his molars were excellent.

Thank you all for your advice and support on this matter.
I have been researching local vets and have found one who regularly treats guinea pigs and carries out conscious burring. Cream has an appointment on Friday morning.
I think, if she copes well with having this procedure done whilst conscious, I will continue to do this rather than putting her through the operation.
I’ll let you all know how it goes.