Probably dental problems?

[Thump]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post here, I’m really looking forward for your opinions. My 2 year-old, Dutch bunny, Thumper, has been presenting some symptoms which I think are related to cheek teeth problems.

For the last week he has been opening and closing his mouth, just as if he was eating (but he’s not) and opening it a little bit wider. He usually sneezes after this and grinds his teeth. I’ve noticed some drooling and that when I touch his right cheek he moves away as if he’s uncomfortable (he doesn’t do this with his left cheek, in fact he used to enjoy cheek massages). This is why I think he has some discomfort in his molar teeth.

He presented GI symptoms last week, he wasn’t eating and pooping as usual, so I took him to the vet and said that the opening/closing of the mouth was probably due to a tummy discomfort. However, he is now pooping as usual, with no gas sound. 

I’m on my way to the vet right now to have a full check on his teeth, but I was interested in hearing if anyone has been through this before and what are your thought in general!

Thank you so much and please wish him good luck!

[Lulu Cuteness]

i would definitely go back to the vet. the constipation is probably from the dental issues. i have heard of bunnies not chewing their food very well and getting plugged up, because of some discomfort from their teeth.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yup I think you are bang on-best to get to the vet and have them checked.

Rupert started needing regular dental work maybe two years ago now-presented very much the same, GI first, runny eyes etc-he has a few molars that overgrow.
if they need it they generally need it semi-regularly. It’s not a big deal (for me it’s a pain, the vet who does the dental is 1.5 hours from here, so it’s not a fun day) he’s a bit dozy that night and then fine. If we’re late, we risk stasis. Took us a little to get the schedule worked out but he’s due about every four months.

[Thump]

I went to the vet again yesterday and she says it doesn’t look like molar over-growth since the incisors look fine. She told us to wait and see if the symptoms dissappear, and if they don’t, she will do a full checkup with xrays, but she says he’d need anesthesia to do this. Is it really necessary to get general anesthesia for a molar check up? She said she hopes the symptoms dissappear since anesthesia is very harsh for a rabbit and she doesnt want to risk it since he may not wake up from it

[Bam]

First of all it’s not possible to tell if there are molar spurs by looking at the incisors.

Secondly, it’s often necessary to fully anesthetize a bunny to properly see very small molar spurs. If you suspect molar spurs the vet (or a vet tech, more likely) should be ready to burr them down during the same bout of anesthesia, because as you say, there are always risks with anesthesia, but that goes for all animals and people too, not just bunnies.
Big spurs (and they can be big and even bridge the tongue or penetrate into the tongue or cheeks so there are sores) can be seen with an otoscope. You most often don’t have to do x-rays unless you suspect that overgrown teeth have penetrated far into the upper jaw-bone and abscesses may have formed around the roots.

Thirdly, it doesn’t sound like your vet is at all comfortable with dental exams/procedures. I think you should try and find a vet that has more experience with bunny teeth. Teeth-problems are common in bunnies so it should be a fairly standard procedure. I have a bun with a molar spur-problem, he’s had them done twice and his third time is just about due.

Meanwhile, you need to see to it that he eats, if jhe doesn’t, you have to syringe him Critical Care. He might eat Critical Care from a plate or a spoon because it’s soft and doesn’t need chewing, so you can try that first. But his stomach mustn’t go empty.

[OliverBun]

My bun is having issues that I suspect may be teeth. He is quite old, and had never had issues before. For all the details you can look at my recent posts.
Anyway, he is going in for sedation and a dental exam tomorrow morning. I’m very worried given his age. However, the vet always assures me that although there are risks, it’s more likely to be OK than not. I recommend doing it now rather than waiting. He could start losing weight and not be a strong later on.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would definitely get a second opinion. There is definitely something wrong. Molar spurs can cause painful problems like ulcers and abscesses. Or it could be a mouth problem unrelated to the molars. But you definitely need a vet to get an otoscope in there. 

Some bunnies are okay having an otoscope in their mouth while the vet checks their molars. Some need to be sedated. My vet is able to do Bindi without sedation. But it is difficult and only a rabbit savvy vet can really do this.

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