About bunnies with misaligned teeth…

[kralspace]

My adopted foster, Toby, has terribly misaligned teeth, we go to the vet every few weeks for a clip. A few days ago I noticed his coat had a funny spot, like ‘poofy’ hair. I checked for a wound and the skin is smooth, but everyday the poofiness spread, he was looking kinda like he was quilted, but the skin was fine underneath.

After reading about everyone’s bunnies molting and shedding right now, can it be that he’s just not able to groom properly? I caught him last night, THAT’s like chasing a mosquito, and worked over a spot with my fingers and the hair comes out pretty easily. Brushing doesn’t remove any, but plucking with the fingers like I’ve heard here works.

Toby is very thorough about grooming the lovely Pringles, but that hussy doesn’t return the favor. The other male, Daisy, has proved to be very fond of yanking Toby’s hair out by the roots, but not in a very loving way.

If that’s what’s going on, I guess I’m trading the ‘he can’t chew and destroy stuff’ perk for a ‘plucking spell’ everynight. Which is cool, he seemed to like it after he calmed down and realized I wasn’t going to actually eat him for dinner. Another perk is he can’t bite!

This is the only photo I have of Toby, when you pick him up he kinda falls apart trying to hide. that white spot is his tooth hanging out.

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[PocketFaeries]

I am sorry that I can’t offer any experience based advice on how to handle the tooth and grooming issues, but I have got to just say that I LOVE that cute photo!  Too, too cute!  I sure hope it all works out, and I’m sure someone far more knowledgeable on this than I will be along soon to help you.   In the meantime, hugs to you and your bun!

[Sarita]

I don’t find that my rabbits can really groom enough on their own to help control molting, they always needs some plucking from me to help pull out the extra fur. I think too that some rabbits just moult more than others. Toby sure is cute :~)

[MsBinky]

Wow that is some serious malocclusion. Has the vet not mentionned removing the incisors? Sounds to me like he is moulting… Some shed much more than others so it can be that. Where is the spot located?

Hope it all works out with the malocclusion!

[Gravehearted]

I think the plucking is a good idea, since you don’t want him (or even Daisy) to ingest too much of that fur. I’m so glad that you’re taking such good care of Tobey and getting his teeth cared for often. Maybe the plucking will become a nightly ritual and even help him be less frightened of you.

[kralspace]

I think all you guys are right, we’ll just keep on plucking while watching tv at night. I was being sarcastic about Daisy yanking his hair out, he lives for the moments that Toby wanders into his condo so he can kick his furry butt out. I think somedays Toby might wander too close to the condo walls because I’ll find little tufts if his hair there also.

He’s to go to the vet this week if I can con him into the carrier. I got it out Sunday night and all the bunnies look at it like the monster in a scary movie….”THE CARRIER IS HERE, WHO HAS IT COME FOR……….IT COMES FOR YOU!!!” and then they all disappear for hours.

[Gravehearted]

ooo nooooo not the dreaded carrier!!! apparently mom’s decidedly to put out the really terrifying halloween decorations early!

[Author]

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