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Weight loss and teeth

clairewool

clairewool

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
May 15, 2015
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Location
West Midlands, UK
Hi all. We got back from a two week holiday today and picked up our pigs from a friend who had been looking after them. We soon noticed that one of them has lost weight, and looked ravenous when we put him in his cage with his food, yet was struggling to eat. On inspection of his mouth, one of his bottom teeth is wobbly and is curving in slightly. He is therefore struggling to pick up food. We weighed him, and he is 880g (around 80 less than a few weeks ago when he was weighed). I have made up some mash with his usual nuggets and some water, and he has spent a LONG time eating, and got through a good half bowl. I weighed him again and he is now 895g. He also sees much more himself, and was chatting while eating.

So my question is - if we make sure he is able to eat plenty, and is regaining weight, shall we just keep an eye on him over the next few days, or do I need to take him to the vet? This has happened before, when a tooth had fallen out, and he gained the weight with some TLC. Thanks for any advice.
 
Just weighed him again, and he's put on another 10g overnight (he's up to 905g now). Shall I just keep doing what we're doing? Last time, the wobbly tooth just worked its way out and he grew a new one.
 
clairewool said:
Just weighed him again, and he's put on another 10g overnight (he's up to 905g now). Shall I just keep doing what we're doing? Last time, the wobbly tooth just worked its way out and he grew a new one.
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Please see a vet if the tooth is wobbly. It may have affected the gums.

Mush up pellets and mix with timothy hay based recovery food, cut veg in fine stripes or grate it as pick up is very difficult and may be painful.
Keep monitoring the weight daily at the same time because 80% or more of the daily food intake is unlimited hay and he is likely to struggle eating that, but the fibre is important to keep the guts going. If necessary top up with syringe feed. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Thank you. Have just bought some Critical Care, and he is eating lots of mashed up pellets and some grated veg. He's in the garden now munching on some grass.
What are they likely to do to help a wobbly tooth?
 
If the tooth is very wobbly it needs removing. If the tooth is only very slightly loose, then taking that one tooth out of wear (burring it slightly lower than the incisor next to it) can allow it time to firm up again. It sounds like it may have fractured, possibly below the gum line, and it is going to make eating very difficult as when he tries to bite on something, the tooth will move. As long as the root isn't damaged, then it will grow back after removal.
 
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