Ongoing teeth issues-senior rabbit

[cocobear]

Hi all-here’s the backstory on my ancient rabbit Coco.
She is 13, she started having points on her teeth that needed regular trimming about 5 or 6 years ago due to the loss of one molar the other molar would grow long a point that cut her tounge and cheek. I didn’t know about it until she started overgroming her dewlap and one day ripped it open. From then on whenever she needed a trimming she would start having trouble eating and I knew it was time to get to the vet. The vet always sedated her and about 2 years ago she went into cardiac arrest during the sedation- the vet revived her and she went on to have 2 more trimmings after that. About a year ago the vet discovered that other molar had fallen out and she no longer needed trimmings. During all this she developed a blocked tear duct ( from the tooth issues) and has had a very weepy eye since. The eye should be removed but her vet did not think she would survive serious surgery at her age and since the cardiac arrest. So the last year she has been active, eating voraciously until yesterday out of th blue she started up with not eating. She comes running for the food-pull the dandelion into her mouth, chews for quite some time and back out it comes. She gets frustrated. She is able to get raisins in if I hand feed them and it takes her about 1 min to eat one raisin ( rather than inhaling 20 in 5 seconds!) So I rush her right down to have her looked at,and the vet says her teeth look fine, maybe one small red spot but he didn’t think that was anything enough to cause eating problems. He said her gut felt okay. She’s on metacam and I’m getting some critical care into her. She devours bananas becuase they are soft- so I feel that it has to be a teeth issue right???? She tried sooo hard to get dandelions in just now, what should I do? She won’t eat wet pellets or critical care slurry out of a dish. She can live on bananas. I’m not sure what to do. Anyone have any ideas? Should I take her to another vet?

[Sarita]

I think you are right – I would have the vet sedate her and do a very thorough molar check and trim down any points. That way he can see those molars way in back.

Does this current vet see many rabbits? If not you may want to seek a second opinion.

While the vet may think that little red dot doesn’t seem like it’s painful, it probably is to her.

I have a 10 year old rabbit who has had ongoing dental issues and the weepy eye problem as well and it’s so frustrating – my vet has been very aggressive in her dentals.

You might also consider a radial x-ray of her head area and see if there are any pockets of infections in her gums that the vet won’t be able to see just by looking in her mouth.

[cocobear]

Thanks for the reply-I think she is heading into stasis now. She wouldn’t have any raisins this morning and no poops. I drive 40 min to see this rabbit friendly vet! The vet that has always done her trimmings is on vacation this week, I’m trying to get her to Monday so I can have her reexamined by her regular vet. She definitely can’t be sedated ever again, it’s way too risky. I was thinking x-rays- maybe have her just start on antibiotics. She’s just so old, I can’t stand to see her deteriorate she’s been able to recover from everything.

[Sarita]

Oh dear – do you have critical care to syringe feed her? Monday is a long way off.

[cocobear]

I was very worried this morning, but after her pain meds took effect she really perked up. She was in her box trying to eat hay- awesome. She’s doing well with critical care feedings too. She’s trying to get those greens down. She had some poops, she’s cleaning herself. I feel better. I will see how she is tomorrow-if she needs to be seen before the weekend.

[BinkyBunny]

I remember my bunny Rucy doing the exact same thing your bunny did — try to eat greens, but then it was obvious she wasn’t able to take it in, just sort of rotated back out of her mouth, or she’d “pop” up in pain. I took her to my vet who said that the “spur” on her tooth wasn’t too bad, but that some bunnies are just a bit more sensitive to the discomfort.  Rucy would also respond well to the pain meds. However, it was only until the spur (even if it was severe), was trimmed that she got back to normal. However, what did help in the meantime, until I could get her in was to cut her greens up into little pieces. Though sometimes the “pieces” would get stuck up on the spurs, like on top of shelf, for the most part, she was able then to consume them.

So you might want to try cutting up the greens into inch pieces or half inch piece or even smaller to see what works.

NOTE: Rucy also had root infections periodically and that caused pain when chewing.  So that is something to ask you vet about. I know that at 13 years old though that it becomes risky.  So obviously, you are the only one who can make this kind of decision for her.  

Sending healing and hug vibes though for your senior bunny. 

[cocobear]

UPDATE: Happy to report Coco is feeling fine and eating well. Thinking it was GI stasis- or whatever sore spot in her mouth healed. 13 years old and ready for more living.

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