malocclusion

[CaptJackRabbit]

Anyone recently dealt with malocclusion (misalignment of rabbit’s teeth)?

My poor guy had this problem start early this winter. So far, he’s gone to the vet every two months. The vet here sediates him to trim them, but another vet I’ve taken him to didn’t have to. So now I’m debating about the long term… I can continue to get them trimmed. It’s not overly expensive… only $20. But that makes for $120/year. My vet said that she wouldn’t risk surgery (a removal of the front bottom and top teeth)– that he’s not too bad and that the chances of him not making it through would be pretty high. Plus, that will be very expensive, though all in one sitting instead of spread out. I’m sure really long term surgery would be cheaper. Anyone get their bunnies teeth trimmed and thought about surgery? Or got surgery? How is your bunny doing, either way?

 

[KatnipCrzy]

How old is your bunny?  Unfortunately your options are limited a bit by the vets in your area and what procedures they will do.

Do you think teeth trimming is something that you would ever want to learn to do?  I ask- because the vet that can trim them without sedation should allow you to watch when it is done and they can explain what they are doing- what to cut with, where to cut, how to cet, etc….  You can get this “lesson” every time for the cost of the trim I would think.  Then if you ever feel you are ready to do it on your own- take the bunny to the vet and trim them yourself with them watching and guiding you.  Do this until you are comfortable with this on your own.  I would expect to pay for a trim every time you go in and watch or are guided by the vet staff.  If you think this is something that you would ever want to do- I would call the vet and ask them about it- ask if they will give you lessons and then watch when you feel you are ready to try.  If this is something you don’t feel that  you ever want to do- then don’t feel bad- not everyone is cut out for this kinda stuff.

My vet herself has a Netherland dwarf named Buster.  The reason she got him is the owners were bringing him in every 4 weeks or so to have his teeth trimmed (they are pretty bad)- and she liked him, and she said if they ever needed to re-home him, she was interested.  Well after about a year and a half of teeth trimming- one day they brought him and his cage in and gave her the bunny.  They were starting college and did not want to take him along.  But she still continues to trim the teeth (at home now) and has not done the surgery.  He can eat pellets, hay and drink with no problem.  He is about 4-5 years old I think- so she elected to trim as opposed to extract.

[CaptJackRabbit]

Thanks for your reply… CJ is a little over a 1.5 years old. So, certainly young, and he’s neutered, so he should live a good while. I don’t think I can trim them. He behaves really well at the vet, but I was bringing him in for nail trimmings after struggling with trimming them myself, though I have occasionally done it myself. I didn’t even like to do that. The info is helpful though… if I do get fed up and CJ is more comfortable with me holding him, I could certainly learn (though the vet I took him to who didn’t put him under was a few hours away, when I was at my parents’ for the holidays). Good to know that another bunny gets them regularly trimmed without needed surgery. He did have spurs this last time, though. CJ just doesn’t like to be held, so I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d rather have coming over and sitting next to me for pettings than mad all the time because I’m trying to pick him up.

This is going to sound crazy, but I have wondered if it could have anything to do with his water bottle. Like, that using the bottle as opposed to having a regular bowl of water in there makes it worse. But, I’ve become more convinced that this is just malocclusion, though he was nearly a year old when I got him and didn’t have any trouble. My vet originally thought it was just that his top teeth had accidentally be knocked out and that they would grown out and be fine.

Anyway, thanks for listening and the info. It seems I’ll have some time to think about it.

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