Hidden Tooth Root Problem?

[LBJ10]

Okay, so you all know about Wooly’s sinus issues. We tried several different antibiotics and nothing seemed to help. The vet checked his teeth, but said they were some of the best bunny teeth she had ever seen. He wasn’t getting any worse and he was still eating/pooping/playing and acting normal (aside from the sneezing), so we decided to stop “torturing” him for the time being. This was a few months ago. In that time, I fixed the mold that was appearing in their room (roof leaks) hoping that was the problem. Well, he’s still about the same. He certainly isn’t worse, but it still bothers me.

So I was reading online that sometimes incisor tooth roots can cause sinus issues. My vet had mentioned wonky tooth roots as a possible cause, but said you typically see other problems associated with the teeth when there are tooth root problems. Since his teeth look so wonderful, we were hesitant to go that route. X-rays to see if that is, in fact, the problem is about all there is left to do at this point. So I was wondering, has anyone ever heard of “hidden” tooth root problems? As in, there are no other problems with the teeth.

If this is the problem, then what would be the treatment? Incisor removal? My vet said I may need to take him to a specialist.

[Sarita]

Yes, my first rabbit had this problem and also Toffee had this problem in her senior years.

My first rabbit Bunbun, had constant teary eyes and Toffee, honestly I cannot think of anything that was very noticeable that would have made me think tooth root problem (except of course at the very end where her eye bulged).

Both where discovered with a head x-ray. As far as I know it’s just chronic and nothing can truly be done other than managing the symptoms…of course, it is likely I am wrong on that too. It would be a good idea to at least do an head x-ray – make sure that the vet sends it out to a radiologist too as they seem to see things that vet’s miss.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Bindi also has sinusitis that is recurrent as well as frequent blocked tear ducts. My vet suggested head X-rays to check his teeth roots because that is a common cause of bunny sinus problems, especially in more squishy faced bunnies. His were fine, fortunately. It’s definitely a good idea, and if there is nothing wrong, at least you can rule it out.

My vet also mentioned to reduce dust as much as possible in his area, which is pretty hard with all the hay but she said it may help.

[LBJ10]

Yeah, I was planning on calling to see when we could do some x-rays. Really, that is all that would be left to do. The vet did suggest shaking out the hay and spritzing it with a little water before giving it to them. When I took care of the mold problem, I also deep cleaned their whole room. I was really hoping that would help. I thought perhaps he was allergic or something. We didn’t spot the mold until it had been there for awhile because it was on the wall behind a metal filing cabinet.

So how does one treat the symptoms? We tried Metacam for a bit to see if that helped with the inflammation. We tried Benedryl too. Oh, and eye drops too. The oral antibiotics were a nightmare. Wooly was getting to the point where it was practically impossible to get him to take them. I would have to hold him down just to get the syringe anywhere near his mouth (he would jerk his head violently the second he felt the syringe near his mouth). Then when I would squirt a little in his mouth, he would just use his tongue to push it out of his mouth. Agh! See what I mean about “torturing” him? It seemed like I was causing more problems by stressing him out because he would start breathing hard each time and it seemed difficult for him because everything was all stuffed up. I remember Tanlover suggesting saline for his sinuses. I don’t know how I would ever manage to get that stuff up his nose.

[Sarita]

Is the main symptom sneezing? or runny eye? or something else?

[LBJ10]

The main symptom is sneezing. His eye does run a little here and there, but it isn’t really noticeable.

[Sarita]

I thought it was sneezing but I wanted to make sure. I’ve only had runny eye problems with this – so I’m not certain about sneezing.

I know in the past one of my friends used to use nose drops for one of her buns – it was not saline, it was actual drops – not sure if it was for the same problem though. I would keep him while she was on vacation and he was tiny so he was easy to medicate.

[LBJ10]

Wooly is small, but he is crazy feisty when it comes to medicating him.

I called the vet. Basically, it is one of those situations where I can pursue it if I want, but I may not like the answer (= it is something that can’t be “fixed”). I can have x-rays done. He would need to be sedated. So that would be about $200 total. While he is sedated, they can also do a deep sinus swab to really get in there and see if a culture can be grown from that. A culture would run another $120. I was told that it could all be a bunch of money and stress, only to find that not much can really be done. I still have this fear in the back of my mind that it’s some crazy antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection that isn’t being treated because we think it’s a tooth root problem. *sigh* It just hurts my heart every time I hear him sneeze/cough. At the same time, I don’t want to continue to stress him out and traumatize him. Does that make sense? I mean, if he does have a tooth root problem, then what can I really do? Put anti-inflammatory nose drops in his nose? I suppose it could be eye drops as long as his tear duct isn’t blocked. The problem seems to be so deep in his sinuses though. The vet said I could be referred to a specialist that does dental procedures in rabbits, but since they are part of a veterinary school that does research it would cost a lot of money. Plus I would have to travel with him since it is not here where we live.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I forgot to mention when Bindi got his head X-rays, it showed that he had thickened nasal bones in his sinuses. Not sure what causes this but it plays a part in his recurring sinusitis. This, as well, cannot be treated. We just have to give him meds when he starts getting all squeaky through his nose.

X-rays are def an expense but I’m glad I got them done with Bindi. I think with recurring bunny symptoms, knowledge is power. If you can’t learn anything, at least it’s good to rule things out.

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