Trip To The Vets – Malocclusion :( :(

[AnnaW]

So i took my 8 year old Lionhead x Netherland Dwarf to the vets today, and he has malocclusion  His front teeth are pretty fine but his back molars are bad, and they want to knock him out and file them down. He’s such an old bunny and she vet kept saying about how there is the chance they’d lose him during the operation and i’m scared!  He’s been eating fine, slower that normal but his dish is empty every morning, he hasnt been dribbling a huge amount and doesnt seem in pain, so i’m just trying to weigh up the pro’s and con’s really :/ I know it’ll have to be done, but i go on holiday in 5 days and i dont want it done till after i get back in 2 weeks, otherwise i wont be able to nurse him! I’ve also heard about other people’s rabbits with malocclusion having the affected teeth taken out all together, but i’m not sure about this

Advice/help anyone please xx

[Sarita]

I would suggest you do bloodwork on him. This is extremely common in older rabbits as they start to lose bone density and their teeth move.

No, you don’t want to take all his teeth out – they usually recommend this for the incisors, not molars.

I would also suggest that perhaps your vet is not experienced enough with rabbits if she fears he cannot take the anesthesia – does she have alot of experience? If not, you should try to find a more rabbit experienced vet.

[AnnaW]

Aaah i see, i’d also heard that it is quite common in the dwarf species of rabbits which could also partially explain it! Yes, i thought too that if i took his molars out he wouldnt be able to grind food, and i’m sure he wouldnt appreciate having to eat baby mush!
I’m not sure, it wouldn’t be her that performs the surgery apparently, but she’s been at our vets for many years so i guess she has quite a lot of experience … i just wanted to check out what people think of the surgery before i commit, as he’s my baby and i don’t know what i’d do if i lost him! Thankyou for your help

[Sarita]

I totally understand your fears which is why bloodwork would be prudent to do to make sure the kidneys are working well for the anesthesia. Having molar spurs can’t be comfortable either and eventually it could cause additional problems. Please let us know what you decide and keep us updated.

[AnnaW]

Thanks very much for your advice, i’m currently feeding him little nuggets of his food. Going away for 2 weeks on the 2nd and my older sister is looking after him, going to tell her to keep a VERY good eye that he’s eating and drinking properly, i’m so scared he’s gonna die while i’m away for some reason! He’s so old i’m a very paranoid bunny owner I’ll keep you updated on my decision, i expect when home from holiday i’ll book him in to have the operation with our most trusted vet, so that i’m home to nurse him

[KatnipCrzy]

Will your sister be able to take your bunny into the vet if he stops eating while you are gone? That is very important that he get his molars done ASAP if he stops eating.

[AnnaW]

Yes, she’s also caring for my fish which are also in my room, and our 2 cats, 1 of which is on thyroid medication so she’s knows to be vigilant! Haha I’ll ensure that she monitors how much he eats, and if he stops at any time she knows to bundle him into his basket and off down to the vets Thanks!

[KatnipCrzy]

Does he have molar spurs- (sharp points on his teeth)? or are his teeth acutally maloccluded (misaligned and do not wear properly)? the treatment could differ depending on the problem.

[AnnaW]

Aaah, she didn’t really say, but said that he has malloclusion and so they do not wear properly, i’m not sure if he has the molar spurs also. One of his front teeth is also very long which they will combat during the surgery, i’m just worried as i go on holiday for 2 weeks on tuesday! My sister will be looking after him, and i know she’ll notice if something changes and take him to the vets, I just want his mamma to be there if something has to happen!

[Sarita]

I guess I was thinking molar spurs…might be worth asking exactly what teeth he is having issues with. Though usually if it’s one area that is the problem, the whole mouth will have issues.

[AnnaW]

Yeah quite possibly, i know its one of his front teeth on the right side, and his molars on the right side also, so his jaw cant meet/grind food properly!

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