Dental Problems

[bunnydream]

Hi everyone,

My rabbit, 7 y/o, nearly 8 (Rex, free-roam house rabbit) developed dental problems several years ago. He is a picky eater and no matter how hard I’ve tried he refuses to eat any kind of hay or leafy green. As a result, he developed dental problems on his molars. His eyes used to tear up in past years but they don’t anymore. Recently, he’s had a runny nose and I can hear him sniffling at times. He has also stopped eating and drinking, and I’ve been syringe feeding him critical care, liquids, and medicine (from the vet of course).

My family doesn’t have the money for regular dental trims or surgery, hence why we haven’t done anything. Additionally, the nearest vet who can do trims/surgery is 2 hours away. Our regular nearby vet can’t. I’m a teenager and don’t get to make the choice of driving 2 hours away every few months or constantly spending money on procedures.

I’m really at a loss as of what to do. Every year he’s always stopped eating and drinking at least once bc of his dental problems. I give him meds etc, he bounces back, is “ok” for a while, then he gets sick again and the cycle repeats. As he’s getting older, I get increasingly worried that one day, he won’t get better, and I’ll lose him. Since he’s sick right now, I’m terrified. Is there anything I can do? At all? Or tough it out and offer my bunny the best care I can give him? Sorry if this is long.

[jerseygirl]

Hi bunnydream

It could be because he has a respiratory issue currently, that is making it difficult for him to eat. Are the meds helping with his nose at all? Something you could try is to buy a infant bulb “syringe” that is used to suck out gunk from babies noses. You might be able to find one at a local drug store.

It sounds as if he has had dental problems going on for a long time. IF it is progressive dental disease, then yes, it can get worse. BUT it is also said there comes a time where things level out for these rabbits and it becomes stable as they get older. So all hope is not lost.

Did your regular vet assess the dental situation for you? Is that why you know he will need trims?

If they haven’t, I really think this would be a good first step. It may not all be as bad as you think. It *might* not be lots and lots of expensive dental appointments. It could simply be he has something trapped behind a tooth that is putting him off eating. Or, as I already mentioned, his breathing is making it difficult. Not eating is not always due to teeth problems. They are many other reasons a rabbit might lose appetite and eat less.

Absolutely, it could be a mess of dental problems and his runny nose could be linked to that, but first things first is have a vet take a really good look to establish what is going on and then make a plan.
Initally, it might be just a matter of giving him some pain relief to get him eating better, if he has some pain. It doesn’t have to be the vet that is 2 hours away just yet.

Regarding the home situation, are you wholly responsible for the cost of his care? Or do your parents/caregivers assist with this? Have they expressed that they won’t help pay if his care becomes expensive? Or are you reading the situation at home that they wouldn’t be able to. Have you had a conversation with them about all this.

Things might not be as bad as you think. If there does need to be a lot of treatment for him in the future, there are programs available that can help ease the financial burden. And we could help brainstorm some ways to get your rabbit what he needs.

How is he taking to the syringe feeding? Will he eat any of the formula from a bowl? Can you soak some pellets in hot water, let it all cool then offer him that in a dish. One of my past rabbits would not eat hay, so I gave her hay pellets (they were 98% hay). Sometimes I soaked these too. I still do this for my other rabbits if they’ve gone of their food a bit. I add some baby food fruit puree if they’re not showing an interest.
Is he producing okay looking poops? Continuing to get food and good fibre into him is important, as you know.

Sending many {{{vibes}}} for your rabbit.

[bunnydream]

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Thanks for your response! I’ll check out the infant bulb syringe you suggested. I don’t hear a “runny/stuffy nose” as my rabbit is breathing now but I am keeping my eye on him.

My regular vet did assess the dental situation, which is how I know my rabbit will need regular molar trims. However, they are unable to do the trim hence why we would have to go to a different vet that is 2 hours away.

My parents pay for food, litter, meds etc, but I’ve talked to them and they’ve expressed that they aren’t willing to pay for surgery (the vet also said getting my rabbit’s molars removed was an option.) They also don’t wish to drive to the “far” vet to get trims. 

My rabbit really dislikes syringe feeding. Sometimes he’ll willfully eat critical care (w/out syringe), but other times, he doesn’t want to and I have to resort to syringe feeding. I’m really struggling to get him ~100mL of critical care into him a day. That’s about how much he needs, right? He’s 4-5lbs.

I’ll try out the pellets soaked in water. Also, I didn’t know hay pellets existed! I’ll definitely try those.

His poops aren’t great, although I think it’s because I definitely haven’t been giving him enough critical care. How do I get him to eat more?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to hear your bunny is having problems.

Molar issues can cause sinus problems if there is an issue of an overgrown molar pushing against the sinus.

Did your vet give you an idea of why bunny would need “regular” molar trims? Some bunnies do need them regularly, but others get a trim once and are fine. Was he previously a good hay eater? Hay can help wear down the molars so bunnies who are not big hay eaters are more prone to irregular wear which requires trims.

Also, just so you have an idea. I suggest you get a quote for a trim so you know how much you are looking at.

Do you have the Apple Banana Critical Care. Bunnies tend to like that kind the best.

[Author]

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