should i adopt a rabbit with malocclusion?

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

so long story short, i emailed this rescue group and one of the foster moms and i met at a near by petco. she brought a long two rabbits that i was interested in. one of the rabbits (holland lop) has maloclussion but he is SO sweet and calm! she showed me his teeth and they weren’t “too” bad. but its very visible that he has malocclusion. the other rabbits (mini lop) has no problems, and is also very sweet but he wasnt as calm as the other rabbits because he is only around 5 months while the other is around 1 and a 1/2 years old. they both got neutered on tuesday. 

i was planning on adopting the mini lop (no problems) but then i was thinking… i’ve been looking at the rescue group’s adoptable rabbits lists on petfinder and the rabbits that have medical issues have not yet been adopted. while the other rabbits have been adopted. ive been looking at their adoptable list few months btw and most of the rabbits get adopted out very quickly. like a couple (litterally 1-2 ) rabbits that have medical conditions have been adopted out.

do you think i should get the rabbit with malocclusion? or the mini lop with no problem? the rabbit with the teeth problem is INCREDIBLY sweet and calm. and for the next 4 years i can get free teeth clippings from the rescue.. but 4 years later i am moving and im not sure if i can drive/ fly over here every month just for a teeth trim. (it would be stressful for the rabbit, especially flying if i move out of state. ps my dad works at american airlines so we get free domestic flights. but hey they might go bankrupt in a few years lol): )

so what should i do? i am 14 and i highly doubt i can clip the teeth myself. i could crack the teeth or damage it which; in the end, would cost more money than going to a vet. she said that she could teach me how to trim his teeth, but i honestly dont want to take the risk. hm so which rabbit should i get? thanks. ps this will be my first rabbit.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I would phone the vet you’ve chosen and discuss what the treatments would be like and how costly the would be-and then go from there.
Even though this is your first bunny, with proper observation and vet treatments you could handle this, but it could be very costly or you might not have a vet in your area who is experienced enough to deal with this. Ideally I would ask the foster mom to take the rabbit to your vet (you pay if you are able to) for an exam, and then you discuss with the vet costs and treatment plan etc. Then see if you still can.

It’s very honorable that you would want to adopt one of the ‘unadoptables’ Very nice of you! Just make sure it won’t be a hardship for you

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

thanks! actually the rescue can clip the teeth for free. but the problem is in 4 years i am moving (not sure where, probably in the same state i am in now but probably too far for me to live here so i’d have to move).

[Sarita]

No. There may be only a problem initially with the front teeth but there is no guarantee that this won’t cause problems with the back teeth because the mouth is not aligned. The rescuer person cannot clip molars. And speaking as someone who has to deal with dental treatments, it’s expensive.

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

hm thanks !

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Clipping teeth isn’t a cure, and there are usually other issues, including possible removal of the teeth and dietary issues I get the honor in adopting a bun who has been looked over for those issues, but for most, money is a factor. Take K&K’s advice and call your exotic vet and go over costs, because the lady who said she’d do it could A, just not, B, decide to charge, C, mess up and you’re stuck with costs, D, move/etc. There’s too many variables to rely on one person.

[Stickerbunny]

Given any expensive vet bills would fall on your parents and rabbits with known health issues usually get pretty expensive with the treatments they need, no, I would wait and then when you are older and settled down on your own, with a good income, then if you want to take on the burden (though well worth it!) of a special needs bun by all means go for it.

[BinkyBunny]

I think it is very smart of you to look so thoroughly at this. Kudos to you for thinking four years in advance and what the long-term issue could be even when the shelter/rescue says they will clip the teeth for free for the next four years. (That is really amazing and wonderful). How old is this bunny? How long has he been getting his teeth clipped? Sorry if you already mentioned this somewhere.

I have to agree with the others that malocclusions can come with other issues that can lead to vet bills. Sarita mentioned issues that can happen with the back teeth due to a misalignment. Also known as “spurs” can develop on the molars of the back teeth. They are sharp little points that can grow upward and outward toward the cheek and cause pain and digestive issues. They also have to be monitored. Not all bunnies with misalignment of incisors develop these but it is very common and so it’s something to be aware of as it will cause the very scenario that Sam & Human’s Lady mentioned.

I know it must be very hard to really like a particular bunny, but know that it may cause financial strain in the future. These bunnies are the hardest to adopt for that very reason.

I also double ditto about talking to a rabbit-savvy vet about this.

Keep us updated.

Also, you don’t have to choose a bunny right now…So if you decide that you have to let the dutch go due to understandable financial reasons, and you don’t feel as connected with the lop, then it’s okay to wait. They aren’t the only two bunnies around. Wait a few weeks and ask the shelter/rescue to call you (if possible) if a bunny with a similar demeanor as the dutch comes along. 

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