Pepe's Dental Vet Visit

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This topic has 8sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 6 months ago by Sarita.

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- 09/10/2009 at 10:08 AM
  Sarita
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  18851 posts
  The good news is that he had no teeth impactions! The bad news is that he does have slight malocclusion and the vet thinks this is genetic not dental related.
  
  They did about 5 focused x-rays and an aggressive filing of his molars.
  
  They were extremely impressed with my regular vet’s filings too – they said it had good points and was not just filed straight across and that she must be good in physics and felt that she would be great to continue with regular filings but if more aggressive filings were needed they would do those.
  
  Some interesting things were that the head dentist was pleased that he was on alfalfa pellets (the Kaytee Rainbow pellets are alfalfa based) which I thought was interesting but since I spoke with the other dental vet (they prefer to work as a team for rabbits since they are a little more complicate) I could not ask him why. The dental vet also mentioned a study where glucosamine may be helpful in dental disease so I asked since I had Maxine on glucosamine should I give Pepe some and she said it wouldn’t hurt.
  
  The overall bill was $504.25 which I understand is pretty cheap for a board certified specialist (at least that is what one of the vets said at the clinic I go to.) but that gives you an idea of what something like this could cost at a specialist.
  
  He goes back in 3 weeks for a follow-up visit.
  
  It was very educational speaking to a dental specialist too – they know ALOT and my vet was very patient and gave me tons of information. She did feel that because my vet and I were so on top of his care that he was in very good condition. I guess they see alot of rabbits in very bad condition before they see the specialist.
- 09/10/2009 at 12:03 PM
  Barbie
  Participant
  1581 posts
  Oooo sounds very interesting! But yikes, that bill is high!. Though if I was in your situation, i would GLADLY pay it, and it sounds like you got a lot of good info out of the vet visit. I can’t remember who here has insured their pets or not, though I know there were a couple threads about that… hopefully you have insurance! Glad to hear that Pepe didn’t have and teeth impactions! I’d be interested to hear if the glucosamine helps, and if you ever ask the dental specialist why he thought alfalfa based pellets are better than timothy pellets, I’d be interested to know that too
  
  Side note: I went to the dentist today too!
- 09/10/2009 at 11:02 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  What age is Pepe? That’s him as your avatar isn’t it?
  
  Can you ring and ask further questions now that they’ve seen him. Leave queries with reception? As Katnip said in another thread – you’ve paid for the exam/treatment so you should be able to have all your questions answered. At the vet last week he asked “Are there any questions’ at the end of the consult and I said “There will be – once I get home.” I always find it’s after that you think of all the things I would liked to have asked. During the actual appointment, I’m too busy tending to the animal and taking in what’s going on.
- 09/11/2009 at 5:33 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Jersey, I’ll ask at the re-check about the alfalfa pellets. I have to wonder if it’s because they are higher in calcium…
  
  Pepe is probably about 5 years old – he came to me in May 2005 and was maybe a year old or less at that time.
  
  This particular vet only works at the clinic on Tuesdays and then she is at another clinic during the week. I do always have questions afterwards too after digesting it all. She did give me her cell phone but I could never use that unless it was an emergency.
- 09/12/2009 at 5:17 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  That’s really interesting. I like your response, jersey, about once you get home.
  
  If she gave you her cell phone number then she is definitely open to questions. At least at the clinic number.
  
  I have the VPI insurance. Others here do too. I also am going to start an automatic withdrawal of a small amount per paycheck to direct deposit into a savings account that’s separate for emergencies. Young bunny, old car.
- 09/13/2009 at 12:51 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  I remember my vet saying to me that “Alfalfa” wasn’t necessarily bad as long as the fiber content was high enough, and you may not need to feed as much since they are richer in calories, calcium and nutrients. Just something that has to be watched with each bunny. But I would also be interested to know your vets opinion about the alfalfa.
  
  That is also interesting about the glucosamine.
  
  After these last few years (Rucy’s surgery, filings and Jack’s bladders stone surgery)I’m never shocked by vet bills anymore.
  
  Oh, also, what’s the difference between filing and aggressive filing? I mean does that affect how the bunny is treated – does it affect how they are sedated?
- 09/13/2009 at 6:43 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I think the aggressive treating is part to do with how long the bunny is under anesthesia – the dental vet said they had a 20/40 rule for rabbits under anesthesia – they try to get their dental work done in 20 minutes and the maximum they want to go is 40 minutes – they did go a little over 40 minutes for his treatment but they were also doing the x-rays as well.
  
  I do think that alfalfa pellets have their place in a rabbits diet in certain situations as long as it’s high quality and high fiber. But I’ll see if I can get more info as why he was happy about that.
- 09/16/2009 at 12:53 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  That is interesting! Thanks for the info.
- 09/16/2009 at 7:17 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  It’s very interesting too that now Pepe no longer bugs me in bed like he did before which is why I always felt like he did not feel well due to his teeth…of course, it could be that he is not bugging me know due to that reason and he bugged me before because he felt good but I don’t think that is the case. It’s funny because I do feel much of his “bad” behavior was due to dental pain rather than being bad. I know that a tooth ache or ear ache can really affect how I feel so it must be the same for them. I think my vet was very aggressive with his teeth but she does not have the same tools that the dental specialist has.
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