Dental issues

[Chucklebun]

Hi,

So, you may have read my intro in the welcome section. I’ve just taken on a bunny who has potentially severe dental issues. He’s had his front teeth trimmed today, and has a small spur on his right molars. The vet nurse (who was lovely, a real bunny lady) said I might have to bring him in monthly for trimming, which I don’t mind at all. But if it gets really bad, she said I might have to think about removing the incisors.

I know bunnies can live fine with no incisors, but I’m pretty sure this was caused by diet (he was being fed the mixed stuff with weird bits of orange and green stuff in) and no hay. If I make sure he always has good hay and slowly switch his diet to good quality pellets, do you think he’ll show an improvement, or is this something that will always be a problem? I just want to make sure he has the best quality of life – and if that means toofless, then that’s how it’ll have to be!

Any opinions, or anyone who has experience of this and can make any recommendations would be very welcome  My first bunny has been a breeze, so I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now!

C xxx

[Sarita]

Usually the problems with the incisors are hereditary or genetic. It’s possible the molar problems could be controlled with diet (hay) but if the molars are not aligned then there is probably nothing you can do. Removing the incisors may not help with the molar spurs but it would certainly help with the incisor problems if they are problematic.

I have a rabbit that I currently have to do molar trims every 5 weeks – he has very bad teeth most likely from genetics…although he is a poor hay eater – maybe that’s because he has bad teeth.

[kralspace]

Hi Chucklebun and welcome. I have one who has incisor problems, they’re very crooked and we have to go in and have the vet clip them short every month. Luckily she doesn’t charge me for a visit and it’s only $15. We keep a watch on their condition, sometimes one is a bit loose but right now they don’t cause him excessive problems.

I do grate his carrots and cut the big leaves of lettuce into long strips with scissors. Parsely and stemmy plants he handles just fine. It can be overwhelming, just take it one day at a time.

[jerseygirl]

Did they trim the spurs off the molars? Is he eating the hay you provide for him now or is he still tender from the trim? I suppose time will tell if this is something you can manage with diet after the initial trim.
Obviously you want to try retain their teeth but as you said, toofless buns can cope just fine. Incisorless that is. I happen to think they’re awfully cute too but I do hope LJ can keep his teeth.

[Chucklebun]

They didn’t trim the molars, the vet said it wasn’t too bad yet, and that as it was on the cheek side, not the tongue side, it isn’t as much of an issue. I’ll be keeping an eye on his eating (if he starts!) and get them to have a good look when he goes in in four weeks if he still seems happy enough. Hopefully I’ll be able to control it, he doesn’t seem to be eating much yet yet another post starting on that one.

C xxx

[Author]

Messages