I would watch for a change in eating habit to make sure she doesn’t need a tooth trim sooner. I see that Wilbur is a lop and they seem to be notorious for having dental problems. Chewing cardboard is not going to help at all with molar problems – hay MAY help but if this is due to misaligned teeth then all you can do is regular dental trims and more regular dental checks. In my opinion all you can do is be vigilant with watching behavior changes. Hopefully it will be a problem that doesn’t require more regular trims than every 6 months or annually.

I have had a plethora of dental problems with various rabbits that I have had. I basically have to chalk mine up to poor breeding, not poor care. It is frustrating and can be a costly problem.

Well, my current vet is pretty pricey (in my opinion) but I like her alot and I trust her alot with my rabbits. She is about $400.00 for the anesthesia and trim…I think she is very high, but she is also has a business person attitude (nothing wrong with this) and I’ve had another vet in the same group (different clinic though) who is also excellent (but the clinic is not so good) who is much less…she (the vet is stellar, but the assistants and clinic employees, are not so great). So I am not entirely sure what an average price is to tell you the truth in my area.

With Rucy, who would get spurs (points) periodically on her molars, it would cost me around $250. Luckily she only needed it a couple of times a year. Some rabbits need it more than that! I could tell when she needed it when she would not chew as much on her greens and sometimes she’d get a little more drool around her mouth.

Now that you know it’s a possibility ask you vet what the cost would be to trim them and then start saving weekly or monthly if you can and just keep that aside for when she needs it. (I know that can be easier said than done though if things get tight.)

Sounds like you have a great vet though that you trust and that is important. I imagine it feels good to know FOR SURE whether WIlbur is deaf or not. Now you can focus on the best way to communicate with him (as I am sure you already are).

Wow! I had no idea about this. I have a lop and I didn’t realize they were prone to this. Thankfully I saw the post on this. Looks like no matter what vet your looking at a 200 minimum charge. Thank goodness I have Care Credit but like BunnFriend I think I’ll be setting some $$$ aside just in case my bun ever needs this.

Posted By bunnyfriend on 08/16/2012 10:50 PM

Does your vet use a special tool to check the back teeth?

Yes, absolutely – I don’t know how a vet would be able to check the back of the teeth without a scope.  I usually helped my vet by trying to keep my bunny still and she’d stick it way back in the mouth.  Most bunnies HATE It as their reaction is to chew on it and get this thing out of their mouth!  But a good vet can look pretty quickly once it’s back there. 

Sounds like you have a rabbit-savvy vet now. Yay!  So important. Ya did good! 

Definitely watch her hay consumption. When Bindi`s teeth get bad, he doesn`t eat as much hay. Also, monitor her weight.

Bindi needs to be taken in soon to get his teeth done again. I`m pretty sure that`s what`s causing his current low weight. Last time we had them done was in April. Lops sure make us pay for those adorable, smooshy faces with all their ear and teeth problems!!!