Help!! Dental problems :(

[hayleylwilliams]

Hi All, 

I am have just stumbled across this forum and I am looking for some help. I have a lovely 1year 9month old house rabbit called Alf. Over the past couple of months he has been having problems with his teeth. It all started when he when he went off his food and stopped drinking, he would only drink when I squeezed it in his mouth, he would make ‘sloppy noises’ from his mouth. We took him to the vet who Told us his back teeth were over grown and very sharp, cutting into his tongue.  He had to go under anaesthetic and have them filed down which was very stressful and expensive (no insurance and no chance of getting it now to cover dental work). He started eating and drinking again and was very lively, then 2 weeks later he stopped eating and drinking again and started to drop weight quickly. A trip to the vet confirmed his teeth had grown back the vet was very reluctant to do the operation due to his weight (only 1.8kg) and dehydration. I got her to go ahead with it and he managed to pull through. Again he started eating and drinking and got up to 2.25kg …now 3 weeks later he has started being quiet, less eating and drinking…..it can’t be again???

I just don’t know what to do, I know it’s unfair to put him through the operation again if it is his teeth but he’s such a lovely, lively and full of character rabbit. It seems sad that his teeth could be the end of his life. I also can’t afford to pay the £200 it in vet fees it costs! 

Anyone else experienced this? Any other options? I am just looking for some help and support.. I am so fed up of it! 

Thanks  

[Sarita]

Unfortunately it could be dental again. Many times rabbits are born with misaligned teeth and it is usually an on-going problem that never goes away.

I have a rabbit that has no lower molars – he’s maybe 5 years old – he must have his teeth filed at least every 2 months.

I’ve also had rabbits in the past that have had regular molar trims – one used to have it done at least monthly and yes it is costly and stressful but they have to have their teeth trimmed in order to feel well.

I guess I would ask you how your rabbit is about eating hay too – it MAY help increase the trims but a rabbit who was born with misaligned teeth will always have this problem.

[hayleylwilliams]

He has access to plenty of hay but he just doesn’t have time to get into a routine of eating it as the teeth are growing back too quick! 

How come your rabbit has no molars?

[Sarita]

He has no lower left molars. He was dumped at a guinea pig rescue (they can only assume because he was not eating) and he had a dental abscess – it basically caused those teeth to either have to be pulled or they were infected (not entirely sure) but it was the result of the abscess and during some of the dental trims they have come lose and had to be pulled. My vet tries not to pull any though if she can help it.

He is a Netherland Dwarf with a small flat face – netherlands and holland lops are notorious for dental problems although it is not exclusive to those breeds. Rabbits are not bred for anything other than looks or other nefarious reasons which results in these problems.

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