Broken teeth

[sgregory]

I was feeding the buns banana today and noticed that Nori was just licking it, and wouldn’t bite it.. So I checked her teeth and this is what I found..

 

 

I have no idea how or when this happened, but she’s been eating her pellets and hay fine. My question is, could this lead to any other problems? Is there a root to the tooth? It looks like there is a speck of brown on the break of each tooth.. I’m assuming the vet can’t really do anything but wait for it to grow back? Can there be any complications? She’s scheduled for her spay this Friday, and if I take her in to get it checked I won’t have the money for the surgery anymore. Plus I figured if it isn’t a big deal at the moment I could wait until she goes in, that way when she’s asleep they can get a good look and do anything they need to then.

I do have some metacam at hand if it’s possible there is any pain, and I know her weight.

[Sarita]

So are both the top incisors gone? I’m not entirely sure how something like that could happen unless this is something genetic…

[sgregory]

well they are still there. i can definitely see the teeth, but they’re shorter than the gums. the teeth end about where the tip of the red arrow is:

it was definitely caused by some sort of trauma, but i dont know at what point. ive been researching it online and everything seems to agree that the only issue here that needs to be dealt with is the lower teeth overgrowing because there are no upper teeth. i’ll check her daily to make sure the lower teeth are getting the wear they need, and if not i guess ill have to take her in anyway.
what a bad time for this to happen, i was so excited about her getting fixed! is filing teeth at home a viable procedure or is it something that a vet should always do?

[kralspace]

wow, that’s an awful thing to happen, but those are great photos. My Toby has crooked front teeth and he goes into the vet to get them trimmed. After they clip, they use a Dremmel to smooth and shape them. He’s gotten pretty used to it, sometimes they don’t even have to trance him. I don’t know what a bun would do the first time it’s done though. ((healing tooth fairy vibes)) and I hope you keep posting photos of the progress.

[Sarita]

My best advice when it comes to teeth – talk to your vet.

[MooBunnay]

I know that it is bad timing, but unfortunately I only have the same recommendation as Sarita that a vet would need to recommend what to do. I personally have never seen something like that before – it surprises me that your bun is able to eat hay and pellets but was only licking a banana? Is she still continuing to eat and poop normally? The reason it is important to talk to your vet about this is that if it is affecting her eating or health at all it could make it more dangerous for her to be spayed. In addition, since you don’t really know how this happened you really need to have it checked by a vet to see what the situation is. I’ve seen a bunny with broken teeth before from jumping down from up high and landing on the tile and hitting his mouth, could that have happened to her?

[Beka27]

You’ll have to talk to your vet. My thought is that if she is still eating and doing alright, with an okay from your vet, I’d go thru with the surgery, and have the vet to do a good, thorough exam of her mouth while she’s under anesthesia. He may decide to do a small lower teeth trim at that point. You are sure she had upper teeth before, so theoretically they should grow back. Let us know what your vet says.

I would strongly encourage you to go ahead with the surgery as scheduled (again… assuming you get the okay from your vet.)  Even if your final bill ends up being more due to a teeth trim or something, it’s better to get this done.  So often what happens when something pops up like this, it’s months before you finally get around to doing it again.

[jerseygirl]

Oh poor Nori! I’m finding it hard to see what is what. Is that gum tissue from behind her upper incisors that is swollen and showing below their edges??
I agree, get it checked out. If there’s been a trauma, there could be something going on that’s not obvious under the tissue. They’re going to have to assess she’s ok enough to go ahead with the spay. I’m not sure how they give anaesthetic but this might be difficult if she has a swelling.  I don’t know. Maybe I’m seeing it wrong.  Keep us updated.

[sgregory]

Well that’s the thing, there is no swelling at all, none! That is the gum tissue, yes, but it looks healthy as anything.
Also, she’s been eating absolutely fine. She just grabs the food and chews with her back teeth. lettuce does need to be shredded though. What I was planning on doing was calling the vet the day before the surgery to let them know what’s going on. I know that Nori is absolutely fine judging by the way that she is acting. Her food intake hasn’t dropped in the slightest, she shows absolutely no signs of pain, and no hesitation to just use her gum.
Thing is, I’m getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow which costs $115 and then her surgery on Friday which is another $135. If I pay the $60 for an appt. before the surgery then I absolutely won’t be able to pay for the surgery anymore. I feel that her spay is much more important and if anything is a good opportunity for the vet to take a look at her teeth, and do anything that needs to be done. This way it will be an extra cost on the surgery but I won’t have to pay the cost for an appt. Oh, and the anesthetic is given with a mask, which makes it easier.
I’m checking her teeth several times a day, she hates me for it, but it’s necessary.
Frizzer had an issue with his teeth right before surgery too. He decided he was going to bite on his cage, and ended up with his top incisors being diagonal. I told the vet about it when I brought him in, but they had grown back and evened out within two days.

[Beka27]

Since you have an established relationship with this vet, I would speak with them regarding the matter and make payment arrangements beforehand. If you can go thru with the surgery as planned, maybe they will be able to accept payments over the next month or so for any amount above and beyond the already agreed-upon surgery cost. OR… on the other hand, would your dentist be able to split the payments up for your extractions… this would free up some of that money.

[Sarita]

Unfortunately with any pet there is the possibility of unexpected vet bills and if I remember correctly you now have 4 rabbits so there’s 4 times the unexpected expenses.

I suggest you ask your vet if they take Care Credit and if they do take a look at applying for that.

The forum really cannot take the place of a physical vet exam or a talk with your vet.

[RabbitPam]

I’m sure the vet will work with you on this, but it may be a good idea to give the vet a heads up in case there is an underlying issue that would effect the surgery this week. With 4 rabbits, you may need a payment plan with your vet anyway. I would start setting aside a regular amount in my weekly/monthly budget that’s strictly for all things bunny. That way you will be prepared for any and all of them, or have a nest egg for supplies.

[KatnipCrzy]

can you see her “peg teeth”- the odd teeth behind the upper incisors.?  I would not give Metacam without talking to the vet- and I would call the vet as soon as they are open to discuss this.  Is that a small scab on her lower lip? 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I just have to ditto-at the very LEAST call the vet. She may see her for cheap or free just to take a peak. I don’t think waiting until friday or not doing it at all is an option.

Plus she may be eating, and not swollen-but something happened to knock the teeth out and not only can that be painful but she took a bump to the noggin for sure-there could be other issues that follow. So please please phone the vet.

[sgregory]

i called the vet today (theyve been closed since saturday, when i found out nori hurt her teeth) and they arent worried about it because she’s acting fine. im getting her bottom teeth trimmed today because when i checked it last night they were too long for my liking.
im am quite offended by the some of the responses i got. i thought i had been on here long enough for everyone to realize that i do care about my rabbit and i do know her well enough to know if she’s okay or not. also, as for the money, its quite understandable that i would NOT have the funds to get her an appt. when im blowing almost $300 in one week on medical expenses, half of which is on her in the first place.
im sorry if you guys didnt mean to put me on the defensive, but i currently feel as if you have.

[sgregory]

just got back from the vet, they are just going to trim them when she goes in for the spay.

[bunnyluvr]

glad to hear that she will still be able to get her spay and get her little toofers trimmed up! Hooray!

[BinkyBunny]

sgregory – I’m so sorry you felt offended. I think everyone’s advice is sound and polite.    When we are dealing with the teeth and mouth(where an infection can happen from injury and is very hard to battle), and there could be worries about a root injury, a lip or mouth injury, a jaw injury (even just a slight bump) or concerns about the unknowns of how they will all grow out, or how this will effect upcoming surgery—-all is very important to know. Because of that, the best advice in this situation is to have a vet check it out, so that’s why that was the ongoing theme in the posts.

I also appreciate the advice when it comes to financial aspect. This is a time that has been rough financially for many of us and so applying for care credit or asking for payment plans during times of urgency are good options. I know after Jack’s last surgery I was feeling very pinched and that was also after a very expensive emergency vet care for our cat.   I was lucky enough to have created a payment plan with the vet.  I have also utilized the care credit in the past (not all vets take care credit, but even if you are able to get a credit card for emergencies that is helpful).  If I didn’t have those as an option, I’d be borrowing $$ or selling something.  

VPI pet insurance has also saved me tons of $$. 

This kind of advice will be helpful for anyone reading this that also may end  up in the similar situation.  (We also have to remember that many people will read this, non-members too, just looking for advice by reading what other people have done).  So our advice will also be helpful  for others. 
 
The intention is not put you on the defensive. The intention is only to help by offering advice that could help you and your bunny.

[jerseygirl]

Sian, just wondering how Nori went with the surgery, and you with your wisdom teeth surgery too! (((vibes for you both)))

[Beka27]

Yes! Healing vibes for you and Nori!

[jerseygirl]

*bump*

[MimzMum]

Oh dear…has no one seen Sian since the last post left? *worries* I hope both of them are okay.

[jerseygirl]

I sent another msg. Anyone know if she’s on Facebook? She did have myspace page i think.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t know if she’s on fb

[BunnyLover06]

Ok, basically the same thing happened with my bunny C.C.(flopsy). She has a genetic malfunction in her teeth when we took her to the vet at least a month ago, they said all we could really do was keep coming in and trim them down. She freaks out a lot when you hold her near furniture so she tries to jump onto the couch or whatever, when she does this she sometimes falls down and gets hurt. One day I noticed that one of her bottom teeth fell out which was normal for her but they usually grow back. Later on that month I saw it wasn’t growing but I just ignored it(i told my mom of course but we didn’t take her to the vet) So today I saw the other one came out and her gums were bleeding. Should I be worried? Should I take her to the vet? Can she still eat? Can someone please help me

[jerseygirl]

Posted By BunnyLover06 on 2/21/2018 8:00 PM

Ok, basically the same thing happened with my bunny C.C.(flopsy). She has a genetic malfunction in her teeth when we took her to the vet at least a month ago, they said all we could really do was keep coming in and trim them down. She freaks out a lot when you hold her near furniture so she tries to jump onto the couch or whatever, when she does this she sometimes falls down and gets hurt. One day I noticed that one of her bottom teeth fell out which was normal for her but they usually grow back. Later on that month I saw it wasn’t growing but I just ignored it(i told my mom of course but we didn’t take her to the vet) So today I saw the other one came out and her gums were bleeding. Should I be worried? Should I take her to the vet? Can she still eat? Can someone please help me

Hi BunnyLover06

Sorry to reply to this so late! I hope CC is doing okay. Do get her seen by the vet, to check there was not further injury to her mouth.  My lop broke his front teeth of a few years ago. Initially I only thought it was one but by the time we were at the vet, more had disappeared. I think they had cracked then come off later. We were lucky and his grew back straight without a problem.

Since CC has a malocclusion, you might not be so lucky. When the front teeth are badly misaligned, it might actually be better to have the completely removed. It helps the molars occlude better and stay worn down. Rabbits manage quite well without their front teeth!.

I’ll lock this thread now as it was an old topic. I think this may be why your question was missed. If you want to give an update about CC, you can start a new thread by clicking HERE.

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