food getting stuck in the mouth common?

[poopy]

I found an entire timothy hay seed head wadded up in the side medusa’s cheek today….is this a common problem with anyone? should i worry about timothy hay seedheads? i’m considering switching back to oat hay because the seedheads aren’t as flimsy. what worries me is that i felt i was the only one who was able to recognize the warning signs because i know her so well. i don’t want this to ever happen again if i go out of town

the symptoms she had which prompted me to look in her mouth with a flashlight were: dropping hay, wet chin/cheek, she was hiding more than usual, and a weird gurgly noise coming from her mouth.

once i pulled that sucker out she started eating normally again

[JK]

Wow I personally have never heard of that.  Edson used to exclusively eat timothy and that never happened. Glad you caught it.

[MimzMum]

Good grief, that had to be scary! 0_o I’ve never heard of anything like that.

My buns eat timothy hay all the time. We’ve never had any kind of issue like that. Does your bunny have some kind of tooth or jaw problem that may not have been diagnosed yet?

Good for you for catching it!

[MooBunnay]

ooo ouch! That is something I have not ever heard of before. I’m glad you were able to catch it because I would not have thought to look for that. All of my bunnies eat timothy hay and I have not yet had that problem, I will definitely keep a look out for it. I used to feed the bunnies oat hay when I was out in California, and they really enjoyed it so I think it would probably be fairly easy for you to switch too if you are concerned about the timothy getting stuck again.

[MimzMum]

Isn’t the oat hay kind of high in calories though, MooBunnay? I know it (and wheat hay) fattened up my two older buns quite quickly.

[BinkyBunny]

Rucy, because she has missing molars does get food stuck in the vacant tooth areas, but so far, she works her mouth and tongue around to get it out. (like when you get stuff stuck in your teeth)

Does Medusa have any missing molars, or has she had a history of teeth issues? Some bunnies who suffer with spurs can sometimes favor one side….. or not chew completely. If that is the case, I can see how something like this might happen.

If she doesn’t have teeth issues, then I’m not sure why this happened. Does she normally eat the seed heads or does she leave them?

I know it is frustrating when we know there is something wrong with our bunnies and others don’t pick it up.

[poopy]

No history of teeth problems; she has that uneven jaw/face problem though so her front incisors are always slightly diagonal (not completely even) but they maintain themselves like that and it has never impeded her eating. Maybe that’s what caused something to get stuck.

Scary though! And imagine my surprise when I saw a green thing poking out. I pulled it out expecting it to be a pellet and more kept coming and coming….a long fuzzy seedhead stalk!

[MimzMum]

And since they can’t vomit, that would be dreadful to get stuck in her throat.

Maybe the diagonal position has something to do with it. It is not considered malocclusion by your vet? I wonder if there is anything to be done about that?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW i’ve never heard of that happening-What a good mommy you are noticing fast and fixing the prob!!!

[BinkyBunny]

That would be quite shocking! Though I am not a vet, it does make sense as to why it would have gotten stuck. Obviously, this doesn’t happen that often or if it does she is able to get it, otherwise this would be happening more often. (unless the uneveness is increasing)

Hopefully it was just a fluke and won’t happen again, but obviously keep an eye out for this and if it happens again, I would take her to the vet to check out her alignment again and see if things have changed.

[MooBunnay]

I’ve noticed that when I give sead heeds from the timothy to my bunnies that they will gnaw the seedhead off the stalk at the bottom so that they will eat the seedhead from the bottom up – maybe that is to prevent them from getting stuck? maybe Medusa just got a hold of one the wrong way and it bunched up.

Regarding the oat hay – in my experience the seedheads are the very fattening part, the hay that I had my mom got for me straight off the fields and so the stalk was also very green and healthy, so my bunnies were eating the stalks and the seed heads, for bunnies that really enjoy the seedheads and don’t eat the stalks as much, I think that would be fattening. Probably if there were a lot of seed heads it would bea good idea to remove some of them and save them as treats!

[Beka27]

very strange! i’m so glad you noticed it tho. like others have said, i might not have noticed right away. is she an older bunny? if she has a vet appt coming around soon, or if you don’t mind taking her for a quick check-up, i’d think about getting her teeth and tongue looked out. maybe the teeth have become too long, or there’s something else going on. better safe than sorry.

[poopy]

Got another piece stuck this morning….have an appointment scheduled with the vet this afternoon.

[Beka27]

again…? wow. well i’m glad you’re taking her in. keep us posted what the vet says!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW Yes please keep us posted!!

[poopy]

Ok got back from the vet….no teeth/molar problems….just more hay wadded up in the back of her cheek/mouth. I’m not supposed to feed her hay for a few days (so that no more seedheads get stuck) since the cheek pocket has widened as a result of all that stuff getting stuck back there.

Hopefully nothing more will get stuck in the next few days.

[Scarlet_Rose]

No hay? That is very dangerous for a rabbit and I am surprised your vet recommeded it. I would switch to something other type of hay rather than risk stasis.

[poopy]

Really? I don’t think so. She said to supplement with pellets, greens, and baby food. I’ve actually taken the time to separate out a little bit of hay from the seedheads for her.

[Alicia Conklin]

What about maybe the hay cubes?  Would those have more small pieces for her for the time being?

[Scarlet_Rose]

Yes really and it has happened on some occasions in a effort to get a rabbit to eat more hay. I would definately keep a close eye on her since it is what your vet wants you to do (I know you will anyhow), I just wanted to pass along the information so you aren’t unknowingly wandering into an iffy area. Please keep us updated on Medusa’s progress. This is really something I have never heard of happening.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hay cubes could be an idea however the long fiber strands offered by hay that has not been chopped up is more beneficial to helping sweep out the colon and keeping the GI tract moving and pushing along any ingested fur. Hay cubes should really be used as a toy or treat only. My two love scotting them around and the challenge of gnawing on them.

[poopy]

Ya I am keeping a close eye. Thanks for all the tips. The vet (one of the most experienced rabbit vet in the area, and a choice vet of our rabbit rescue org.) said this was her first encounter with food getting stuck in the mouth as well.

[poopy]

Right now she is eating willow, and not touching the hay, greens, and pellets. At least the willow will provide some fiber during the time being.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Youre welcome. I thought you had a pretty reputable vet and so I was surprised to hear the no hay part. You are definately right about the willow, that will give her some fiber in the mean-time. Do you have a picture of the seed head? I am wondering if it is the same size as all the regions or if it is something specific to yours.

[poopy]

no pic; but they get about a 1-2 inches long. i cant figure out why she’s not eating the greens but is willing to eat the willow. she’s seeming to not be able to pick up the cilantro in her mouth…

[Scarlet_Rose]

That is odd, maybe it is because her mouth is sore and she can’t grip so hard with her mouth? How is her chewing? I am wondering if because the willow is dry and breaks up easily she doesn’t have to “chew” it and so it is easier on her. You are talking about the willow leaves right or are you talking about the woody stems? Are her gums inflamed at all?

You may want to soften some pellets with water to make a mush and have a syringe on hand just in case you need to encourage eating.

[BinkyBunny]

Did the vet say why giving up hay for a few days would help? What will be different in a few days in regards to it getting stuck?

I am figuring your vet would have checked the alignment and looked for irritants like spurs etc on her molars.

This sure is baffling and I know you are concerned too if she is not eating her greens and pellets. Willow does have fiber and so at least that will help. Try cutting up the greens in smaller pieces and see if will help her. Also, have you noticed when she is eating the willow that it enters one side of her mouth more than the other?  I know with Rucy, she favors the side she has more teeth on so, though she’ll pick it up with her mouth and then as I watch her chew I see it begin to go to her left side.

Does she seem uncomfortable or in pain at all when she even chews the willow? Like a little jump when she chews or anything?

Hope this all gets worked out. Sorry you and Medusa have to go through all of this. Sending out healing vibes!

I actually have to take Rucy to the vet soon for a follow-up so I will ask my vet too and see what she makes of what is happening to Medusa.

 

Also, for major stumpers, I go to allexperts.com and ask Dana Krempels.   She always seems to have some insight.

http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=4&expID=35789&catID=703

If you do ask her, let us know what she says.   Would love to know how she answers this big stumper.

 

EDIT: OH!  I just now noticed  you said it the vet said to wait for a few days because the cheek has widened from it all being stuck in there….I wonder though if that cheek pocket was already widened by some other misalignment or ???  I guess time will tell on that one.

[Beka27]

thanks for posting an update. i have no further advice, but i hope she feels okay and this issue resolves itself! (Medusa!)

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

My bunnies are going to be mad but I think I’m checking their cheeks tonight!! Thanks for the update and I hope this clears up!!!

[poopy]

She checked for misalignment, spurs, and any other dental abnormalities. The cheek pocket widened due to lots of stuff being stuck in there for 2 days. So the purpose of avoiding hay was that because my hay was packed with seedheads (which we found in her cheek) it would avoid getting those stuck in the pocket. Her gums look ok and these foods don’t seem to be paining her.

She ate the greens & pellets last night and a little bit of hay (I separated some out from the seedheads for her). She didn’t really go for the baby food. And she is pooping, small, but pooping. She’s acting more like her old self (exploring, being nosy, etc.). Hopefully she’ll get back on her hay!

Thanks all for the concern, and watch out incase it happens to your buns!

[BinkyBunny]

Definitely will be keeping an eye out now for that kind of thing – especially with Rucy. Also, now it’s one more thing to add to the list of “what could be wrong” when someone says something is off with their bunny. Maybe this happens more than we know… but it resolves itself normally.

I am glad to hear she is eating more, and hopefully her poops will return to normal now because of it.

Just another example of why it is so important for us to keep a watchful eye. I know many people around us may think we may be paranoid about the smallest change, but it’s what saves their lives – just like in this case: It is because you noticed the change so quickly that you were able to relieve her discomfort and prevent it from going downhill.

Keep us updated.

[poopy]

Yes I think I want to get some large/long tweezer scissor thing for pulling out stuff that may get stuck back there

[MimzMum]

If she has been unintentionally storing hay in her cheeks for a few days, then it’s possible this is why her poops are small…especially if she wasn’t eating her greens. My guess is, she was trying to eat hay and couldn’t understand herself why it wasn’t filling up her tummy. Poor little thing, I hope she gets better soon!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. As Binky said, it’s good to know if something is not quite right with bunny what one might look for.

[poopy]

Mmm so since last week’s vet visit she has been gradually eating more and more hay and poop sizes returning to normal. I had been checking her mouth everyday with no problems. Then this morning I found another 3inch seedhead stuck in there…. GRRRR….and I am supposed to be going out of town this weekend too. Frustrating. Waiting for the vet to call me back.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Oh lordy, this must be frustrating for you. I wonder if it it something she is doing in order to avoid eating the seed head?

[poopy]

I’m gonna look for a different type of hay. The vet didn’t have many other suggestions other than it could be some temporary nerve damage in the face area…. hope this goes away soon so I don’t have to worry about checking her mouth for surprises every day.

[Binkles]

Is it possible to just maybe remove the seedheads from her diet and not change the hay?

[poopy]

nah my bale is packed with seedheads

[MimzMum]

The only other suggestion I could offer would be changing to orchard grass, or some other hay that doesn’t have these seed heads. It could be something as simple as she just doesn’t like the way they feel while she’s chewing them, or perhaps they taste odd to her, but I would think she’d spit them out or not touch her hay at all if that was the case.
Poor bun and poor you! sending healing vibes((((((((((((((((((((Medusa))))))))))))))))

[poopy]

Bingo, was thinking of orchard hay. She used to gobble up the seedheads before, so I know she loves them. Something just must be going on with her mouth that makes it difficult for her to each them now.

[MimzMum]

Does she have any other health concerns? is she still eating, drinking and pooping normally?
Also, does she use a crock for water or a sippy bottle?

[poopy]

Uneven jaw either by formation or trauma before I got her from rescue. Other than healthy! She’s been pooping normally. And eating normally. However when a seedhead is stuck in her mouth she is unable to eat. She has a dog water bowl.

[MimzMum]

Hm. The uneven jaw may be all it takes. If you’ve ever had a crown put on one of your teeth and it causes the bite to ride high, it becomes unbearable to chew, much less eat well.
Sometimes I take my bunnies hay and use a small pair of scissors to cut it into smaller (3-4 inch) pieces to make it easier to keep in the hay manger or bowl. Does Medusa prefer long stems or would she be interested in eating smaller strips?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wonder if you can simply feed her hay cubes? THey make them out of timothy and that might help?

[BinkyBunny]

Orchard might be the way to go! I’d still check to make sure that food isn’t buiding up there though – maybe it’s not just a seed head thing, but I guess the only way to find out is to switch to a different hay. Also, I know there are cuts of Timothy with less seed head. Like the APD Timothy Gold doesn’t have much, if any in at least the 10oz packs (currently)

[poopy]

alright went to the feed store and the orchard bales they had, the seedheads looked to similar to the timothy. so i got the oat (medusa has been on oat before). the seedheads looked firmer and harder so i’m hoping its easier for her to move through her mouth.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh Ugh! The Orchard has seedheads and is as firm as the Timothy? I am so used to the softer Orchard. (though recently I learned that there are actually different types of Orchard.)

Well, keep us updated and hopefully she won’t develop “Oat Cheek”

[poopy]

She gobbled up that oat hay like there was no tomorrow….and nothing got stuck. She was so happy she was doing flops and spreads all over the room (usually she’s so skiddish she only sprawls out in safe places like under the bed).

[MimzMum]

Oh yay! ^_^ *does a happy dance* Sounds like you’ve got the problem solved! I am so happy for you!

[poopy]

Things have been worse since our intial vet visit….she has not been able to eat, and now we have identified an abcess on the side of her jaw (its now large enough to be palpable)….so we are getting it drained tomorrow. Also waiting for biopsy results to make sure its not cancer.

[KatnipCrzy]

Oh no.  I am hoping it is not cancer and just an abcess that needs to be drained and healed!

[MimzMum]

Oh no, poor you and poor bun! *sends hugs* I’ll keep you in my prayers that it is just the abscess and it will be drained or removed successfully. Let’s hope there’s no more trouble after that!

[Beka27]

oh gosh! please keep us posted. hopefully it’s something that can be easily taken care of! does the vet think this was somehow related to the food thing, or it’s something separate altogether?

[BinkyBunny]

Yes, keep us updated. I know this can be scary. Sending out peace and healing vibes!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{ VIBES }} Keep us posted!

[poopy]

She’s doing alright; they somehow drained/flushed it through her ear. They said the abcess might have resulted from an ear infection…so she will continue with antibiotics. She’s been more active (than she was before) which is a good sign, however she still cannot eat much hay.

[Author]

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