Dental Filing

[Hayinmylaundry]

Hello all! I have four beautiful house rabbits, two Netherland Dwarfs, Chilli and Black Beauty, and two Holland Lops, BunBun and Blizzard. My Chilli has had an on again off again wet spot on her face that is hot to the touch for the past week. The vet says her teeth are over grown and they need to be filed. Unfortunately they can’t do it until August. They will give her anesthesia to do it. I didn’t want her to have to suffer that long so I called around and someone can see her Saturday but they will not give her any anesthesia. I just want to know which appointment I should take. The sooner one without anesthesia or the longer wait with anesthesia. Also any tips on how to keep her comfortable would be appreciated. I am so angry she even had to go through this. Her previous owners never fed her anything but pellets. No hay or veggies and justified it by saying that there could be pesticides in them. Arghh! I’m so glad I got her out of there!

[Bunny House]

Hi there!
My lop and New Zealand have dental trims all the time. A bunny should be put under because since they are prey animals, they become stressed very easily and the stress of a dental can cause them to have a heart attack. I know anesthesia is a scary thing, but as long as you have a rabbit savvy vet you should be okay. Make sure they do not make your bun fast before. I am concerned a vet wouldn’t sedate or put her under, they might not be a rabbit savvy vet and know the correct protocols. Try to look around more and see if you can find another rabbit savvy vet who can get her in sooner.

You can always put her on pain meds until her surgery if it’s a while out, but make sure if it’s for a long tome to have her on stomach and intestine lining meds so she doesn’t get an ulcer. You can also try and introduce different kinds of hays to her to encurage more eating to wear her teeth doesn’t more. Also, pellets cause further irritate her mouth so maybe cutting back if she is on them until after her trim.

I hope this helps

[Wick & Fable]

This is a tough situation. My Wick gets dental maintenance once a month. As mentioned by BH, rabbit savvy vets do a good job with anesthesia and making sure everything is ok prior, during, and after the procedure.

Considering her past diet, I’d guess that not only are her incisors overgrown, but she probably has molar spurs. I can’t imagine any vet who would attempt molar spur maintenance without anesthesia, so I think eventually, she need to go under to have everything checked.

I mention the spurs because it could be the case that her incisors may not be the real issue, it’s actually spurs. In which case the earlier appt may not do much. How long are the incisors exactly? Did the vet have a sense of urgency and recommend going else where for an earlier appt?

Also, unsure how many practitioners do it, but clipping incisors is not much of a practice now because there’s a good chance the tooth can splinter, exposing it to bacteria and a later tooth infection. I would call to see if they file or clip incisors and spurs. Filing with a dremmel (I believe it’s called) is generally less risky, according to my research and Wick’s vet. There’s more precision.

Rabbit teeth are constantly growing, so waiting could be painful for her, as well as damage gums, teeth, or cheeks, depending on the layout.

Again, tough situation. I’d say speak wit the man vet to get their opinion, and get some more info from the non-anesthesia vet.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Wick & Fable]

You can cut up her food in small, narrow pieces so she doesn’t need to maneuver them in her mouth as much with her teeth.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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