I have a question. 3 years old, and during this summer we had our first teeth cut (Back teeth), before that we had not had any kind of problems. Our teeth became growing the wrong way and we had an abscess in a upper jaw. Now we get better – we don’t have an abscess, but yesterday we had our second teeth cut. I think it is bad for rabbits fillings – I mean the doctor did not use anaesthesia, as he told me – the rabbits very often did not survive after using any kind of anaesthesia. Is it true? And the second question – how I can make my rabbit cutting his teeth during the meal? I don’t want to cut teeth at the dentists, I would like to help him myself.
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teeth cut (Back teeth)
- Thread starter Tania7
- Start date
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
Hi. My rabbit was diagnosed with teeth problems at the age of 4 and has his teeth done regularly to keep it under control (He does not eat hay :roll
. This was 2 years ago.
The best way to try to keep your rabbits teeth down is to get him to eat hay - this should be 80-90% of his diet. Eating hay gives them a jaw action of "side to side" which helps to wear the teeth down, rather than up and down with pellets.
Some rabbits do have what we call "conscious dentals" where they have no GA. There are risks for having a GA and also for conscious dentals. You will find lots of discussion on her with people who are for or against both methods.
. This was 2 years ago. The best way to try to keep your rabbits teeth down is to get him to eat hay - this should be 80-90% of his diet. Eating hay gives them a jaw action of "side to side" which helps to wear the teeth down, rather than up and down with pellets.
Some rabbits do have what we call "conscious dentals" where they have no GA. There are risks for having a GA and also for conscious dentals. You will find lots of discussion on her with people who are for or against both methods.
winnies angel
Mama Doe
My dental bun angel has her teeth trimmed every 2-3 months under ga. She even at one stage was having ga every other day for couple of weeks as with everything their is always risks but as long as you have a good vet and buns healthy then its pretty straight forward nothing to worry about!
Lots of hay and wood chews to help keep teeth trim is best way to go you want to encourage bunny to eat ina grinding motion with greens as feeding rabbit food pellets etc just gives bunny a crunching motion that doesnt wear down back teeth.
have a spy at our page has few tips etc www.hoppybunnyrabbit.com
Lots of hay and wood chews to help keep teeth trim is best way to go you want to encourage bunny to eat ina grinding motion with greens as feeding rabbit food pellets etc just gives bunny a crunching motion that doesnt wear down back teeth.
have a spy at our page has few tips etc www.hoppybunnyrabbit.com
Thank you for your advises! :wave:
But about hay We can’t eat it at all, as our doctor told me – because of our back teeth. We could only eat oat and special rabbits food, and vegetables. And I don’t know how can I feed him this hay. And about anaesthesia or narcosis – as I had told my doctor had not not used it. Is using this narcosis really dangerous? Yesterday when the doctor was cutting the teeth – my rabbit was squeaking, trying to break away, trying to close his mouth, I mean it was very difficult for the doctor to open his mouth. The nurse and me were trying to hold my rabbit. And I think that the doctor could not cut all back teeth because of it. I only could see 5 or 6 pieces. And my rabbit could not eat and drink all night and today till the evening, this evening he ate some oat. And his neck is wet because of his saliva. Is it always like this???
But about hay We can’t eat it at all, as our doctor told me – because of our back teeth. We could only eat oat and special rabbits food, and vegetables. And I don’t know how can I feed him this hay. And about anaesthesia or narcosis – as I had told my doctor had not not used it. Is using this narcosis really dangerous? Yesterday when the doctor was cutting the teeth – my rabbit was squeaking, trying to break away, trying to close his mouth, I mean it was very difficult for the doctor to open his mouth. The nurse and me were trying to hold my rabbit. And I think that the doctor could not cut all back teeth because of it. I only could see 5 or 6 pieces. And my rabbit could not eat and drink all night and today till the evening, this evening he ate some oat. And his neck is wet because of his saliva. Is it always like this???
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
A conscious dental is not as thorough as one with GA as you have seen, therefore your bunny may still have what are called spurs and they could be cutting into his cheek or tongue if they were not all removed. This in turn could cause an increase in saliva.
Do you have any other vets where you could get a second opinion and who may have more experience with rabbits teeth problems?
Do you have any other vets where you could get a second opinion and who may have more experience with rabbits teeth problems?
prettylupin
Wise Old Thumper
Oh dear it sounds like your rabbit was very frightened and in pain. You should never hear a rabbit scream it is very unusual and means that they are in a lot of stress and/or pain. Please don't take your rabbit back to this vet unless the vet is prepared to put your rabbit properly under a general anaesthetic using modern anaesthesia which is very safe for rabbits. Perhaps your vet could get in touch with an exotics expert here in the UK or US to find out correct procedures? There should also be some more up to date info on giving general anaesthesia for rabbits in recent veterinary journals or online, or in certain veterinary textbooks. Perhaps your vet could locate a textbook by France Harcourt-Brown? One of the UK's leading rabbit vets? Older anaesthetic practices are quite risky for buns, but over here in the UK there are far more modern types of anaesthesia used and it is generally considered safe. Many people on this group have their buns teeth done every few months under a GA with no problems at all.
Clipping teeth can cause terrible problems and it is impossible to access properly the very back of the rabbit's mouth 'normally' without anaesthesia. Clipping can also damage the tooth further and make the problem a lot worse. It is absolutely essential that after any dental work that bunny is encouraged to eat as soon as possible. More than 12 hours without food is a risk of GI stasis from the gut slowing down and hepatic lipidosis - which is very dangerous for bunny. GI stasis untreated can be fatal and is hard to correct without the correct medications and plenty of pain relief.
I expect the reason your bunny would not eat all day was due to extreme pain. Has your rabbit got some pain relief now? He will need it urgently. Rabbits as a prey species will hide pain but a bun not eating is invariably a bun in pain
Bad dental work is a big risk for further tooth damage and abcessation - which is why you must not do it yourself or allow someone to do it who does not know what they are doing, or without pain relief or a GA. Often Xrays are needed before dental work to establish how bad the teeth are and how the tooth roots look inside the gums.
Hay and grass are the essential parts of a rabbits diet and without them dental disease and improper wear of the teeth is very likely, and this situation will get worse. It is very important that even rabbits with molar spurs and dental problems eat as much fibre - hay/grass as possible to stop their problems getting worse.
I hope you can find someone to help your rabbit - I would ask for an exotic's specialist. Here are some articles you might like to read and/or give to your vet:
http://www.vetdent.eu/downloads/dent-rab-tooth-elong.pdf
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=500
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=472
Really hope your bunny feels better soon.
ETA the article on pain relief will give you a list of types of pain relief that can be given. Over here we often use Metacam/meloxicam one of the NSAID's because it reduces inflammation and also helps with pain. If your bunny has any infection he may also need a course of antibiotics. Again - only certain ones can be safely used in rabbits. Here is another article:
http://www.rabbit.org/health/antibiotics.html
The drooling and saliva is likely to be from the inflammation and ulceration of your rabbit's mouth. This is why he needs pain relief, fluids and to be syringe fed until he is able to eat willingly himself. If he is very dehydrated then you must ask your vet to give him some fluids under the skin to keep him well.
Clipping teeth can cause terrible problems and it is impossible to access properly the very back of the rabbit's mouth 'normally' without anaesthesia. Clipping can also damage the tooth further and make the problem a lot worse. It is absolutely essential that after any dental work that bunny is encouraged to eat as soon as possible. More than 12 hours without food is a risk of GI stasis from the gut slowing down and hepatic lipidosis - which is very dangerous for bunny. GI stasis untreated can be fatal and is hard to correct without the correct medications and plenty of pain relief.
I expect the reason your bunny would not eat all day was due to extreme pain. Has your rabbit got some pain relief now? He will need it urgently. Rabbits as a prey species will hide pain but a bun not eating is invariably a bun in pain
Bad dental work is a big risk for further tooth damage and abcessation - which is why you must not do it yourself or allow someone to do it who does not know what they are doing, or without pain relief or a GA. Often Xrays are needed before dental work to establish how bad the teeth are and how the tooth roots look inside the gums.
Hay and grass are the essential parts of a rabbits diet and without them dental disease and improper wear of the teeth is very likely, and this situation will get worse. It is very important that even rabbits with molar spurs and dental problems eat as much fibre - hay/grass as possible to stop their problems getting worse.
I hope you can find someone to help your rabbit - I would ask for an exotic's specialist. Here are some articles you might like to read and/or give to your vet:
http://www.vetdent.eu/downloads/dent-rab-tooth-elong.pdf
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=500
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=472
Really hope your bunny feels better soon.
ETA the article on pain relief will give you a list of types of pain relief that can be given. Over here we often use Metacam/meloxicam one of the NSAID's because it reduces inflammation and also helps with pain. If your bunny has any infection he may also need a course of antibiotics. Again - only certain ones can be safely used in rabbits. Here is another article:
http://www.rabbit.org/health/antibiotics.html
The drooling and saliva is likely to be from the inflammation and ulceration of your rabbit's mouth. This is why he needs pain relief, fluids and to be syringe fed until he is able to eat willingly himself. If he is very dehydrated then you must ask your vet to give him some fluids under the skin to keep him well.
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Thank you for your advises! Our doctor of course had made x-ray before the first cutting molars. Our first cutting was 1,5 month ago. And at that time we had an abscess – but now we don’t have it. Of course we were using antibiotics during the month. And after it we did not have problems till this Monday. Since that day our neck became wet and wet. On Wednesday we went to the dentist. And I had told on this site all our story. So, yesterday at the evening and during today he ate some oat – not much but some, and also a piece of – I don’t know the name of this lettuce in English – but in Moscow we call it Chinese lettuce, it is hard and looks like cabbage – but it is a lettuce. But he couldn’t bite off it himself and I cut it for him, I mean I made small pieces and he could ate them. May be the doctor cut the front teeth too much – and that is why he couldn’t bite off it himself. But the drooling and saliva still too much, and his neck is wet. Now I am going to read yours articles. And Metacam/meloxicam – is it the name of anesthesia? What I can say about my doctor – as I was told he was the best in Moscow (Russia). I mean we don’t have better. :shock: That is why I need your advises!! I am looking forward to hearing from you soon!
And I forgot to ask one more question – my doctor told me that when molar teeth were too long it meant the teeth changed in the root of teeth and nobody could change it . - -- is it true?
Our doctor of course had made x-ray before the first cutting molars. Our first cutting was 1,5 month ago. And at that time we had an abscess – but now we don’t have it. Of course we were using antibiotics during the month. And after it we did not have problems till this Monday. Since that day our neck became wet and wet. On Wednesday we went to the dentist. And I had told on this site all our story. So, yesterday at the evening and during today he ate some oat – not much but some, and also a piece of – I don’t know the name of this lettuce in English – but in Moscow we call it Chinese lettuce, it is hard and looks like cabbage – but it is a lettuce. But he couldn’t bite off it himself and I cut it for him, I mean I made small pieces and he could ate them. May be the doctor cut the front teeth too much – and that is why he couldn’t bite off it himself. But the drooling and saliva still too much, and his neck is wet. Now I am going to read yours articles. And Metacam/meloxicam – is it the name of anesthesia? What I can say about my doctor – as I was told he was the best in Moscow (Russia). I mean we don’t have better. :shock: That is why I need your advises!! I am looking forward to hearing from you soon!And I forgot to ask one more question – my doctor told me that when molar teeth were too long it meant the teeth changed in the root of teeth and nobody could change it . - -- is it true?
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prettylupin
Wise Old Thumper
And Metacam/meloxicam – is it the name of anesthesia?No, this is the name of a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - a painkiller that is used here in the UK safely in rabbits. If you read the article re. pain relief and analgesia in rabbits it will give you a list of rabbit-safe pain relief. I'm sure your vet knows about these - you could always print out and show him the article?
Yes to some extent this is true. As molar teeth don't wear properly it is believed that the incorrect mechanical wear of the surface of the tooth can lead to tooth root overgrowth - and vice versa. The article I sent you by David Crossley explains how 'burring' the molar teeth correctly down to the gum line in 'some cases' (and this must be done under a general anaesthetic and pain relief must be given for many days after the operation minimum) can sometimes 'improve' tooth root elongation. It will not necessarily correct it unfortunately no.
The most important things for your rabbit are pain relief and a diet high in abrasive fibre - hay/grass.
For general anaesthetics - there are newer techniques used here in the UK recently. I don't know if you have these in Russia - but it would be worth asking your vet about it and whether or not he can do some research into safe rabbit anaesthetics if he is unsure.
Can you get hold of some fresh herbs freshly grown such as basil, coriander, thyme, mint, parsley? Rabbits love these and the strong smell can really help encourage a poorly bunny to eat.
Does your vet stock any Critical Care type formula like this? or anything similar for small animals?
https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/Hea...1g.468.html?osCsid=k3g5b37l9kvt3f91kj4ksp01b4
This preparation is very high in fibre and can be helpful if a bun is too ill to eat themselves as it is a mixture you can feed by syringe.
There are also some recipes here: Or you can mush up rabbit pellets with some warm water and see if he will eat these either himself or by a syringe.
http://www.carrotcafe.com/n/syringefeed.html
It is important to keep him hydrated whilst he is not eating properly so if you feed him some leaves or veggies try offering them washed and still wet to get some extra fluids into him. I expect he is losing a lot of fluid from drooling. You may need to ask your vet to give him fluids under the skin - subcutaneously. If he has any sores in his mouth he will possibly need some more antibiotics to prevent infection.
Can you get hold of some herbal tea bags? Peppermint tea? Camomile tea? if you make a cup and let it cool you can offer him this or by syringe - buns like the taste and it will help keep his fluid levels up in his body. :wave:
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
Prettylupin has given excellent advice and links (much better than I can give you).
Your question "my doctor told me that when molar teeth were too long it meant the teeth changed in the root of teeth and nobody could change it".
My rabbit has a condition where his teeth have grown through the jaw. This can not be reversed. The only thing that we can do it to control it with regular dentals (burrring/filing, not cutting or clipping) to try to keep the teeth level and low to prevent any further pressure.
Good luck.
Your question "my doctor told me that when molar teeth were too long it meant the teeth changed in the root of teeth and nobody could change it".
My rabbit has a condition where his teeth have grown through the jaw. This can not be reversed. The only thing that we can do it to control it with regular dentals (burrring/filing, not cutting or clipping) to try to keep the teeth level and low to prevent any further pressure.
Good luck.
https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/Heal...3f91kj4ksp01b4 - we don’t have something like this in Moscow. We only have – I will try to put some photos.
more antibiotics – I use this drag METROGYL DENTA in this mouth twice a day.
Camomile tea – yes, after teeth cutting I give this tea to him every day. But since his teeth were cut he became drink less (about 75 ml in 24). Before all these he used to drink about 250 ml in 24.
From these: basil, coriander, thyme, mint, parsley – I only give him parsley also I give him Chinese lettuce, broccoli, carrots, dill. But after teeth cutting he couldn't bite off it himself – so I cut it for him. And I used to give him banana, grapes, apples, pears. But I was told that all these fruits not for rabbits. So now I give him only vegetables. And also I knew that ate vegetables helped them to cut their teeth themselves. So that is why I decided to give him more vegetables. And these : basil, coriander, thyme, mint – I haven’t knew about them. I will try.
And about hay – he did not eat it since last year. As the doctor told me – it could be because of his teeth. And thank you for your articles – I already read them. So and I don’t know how I can force him to eat hay. I meat – I used to give him only hay during the day, he was hungry but didn’t eat hay at all.
About vegetables – I have a question - red beet – is it possible?
I did not understand how I could put some photos?
more antibiotics – I use this drag METROGYL DENTA in this mouth twice a day.
Camomile tea – yes, after teeth cutting I give this tea to him every day. But since his teeth were cut he became drink less (about 75 ml in 24). Before all these he used to drink about 250 ml in 24.
From these: basil, coriander, thyme, mint, parsley – I only give him parsley also I give him Chinese lettuce, broccoli, carrots, dill. But after teeth cutting he couldn't bite off it himself – so I cut it for him. And I used to give him banana, grapes, apples, pears. But I was told that all these fruits not for rabbits. So now I give him only vegetables. And also I knew that ate vegetables helped them to cut their teeth themselves. So that is why I decided to give him more vegetables. And these : basil, coriander, thyme, mint – I haven’t knew about them. I will try.
And about hay – he did not eat it since last year. As the doctor told me – it could be because of his teeth. And thank you for your articles – I already read them. So and I don’t know how I can force him to eat hay. I meat – I used to give him only hay during the day, he was hungry but didn’t eat hay at all.
About vegetables – I have a question - red beet – is it possible?
I did not understand how I could put some photos?
lottielouise
Wise Old Thumper
Tania,
Have a look here for what is safe and unsafe.
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/safefoods.htm
I would be tempted to say red beet leaves (beetroot?) is unsafe due to high amounts of tocix chemical in them. Im not too sure about the actual root though
Have a look here for what is safe and unsafe.
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/safefoods.htm
I would be tempted to say red beet leaves (beetroot?) is unsafe due to high amounts of tocix chemical in them. Im not too sure about the actual root though
prettylupin
Wise Old Thumper
Red beet as in beetroot? or red beet as in ruby chard/beet leaf? One is like spinach and grows big dark leaves, the other has a large root bulb on the end which is purple and you eat the root.
For rabbits both are ok - but beetroot (the large purple bulb) has leaves which contain oxalates so it must only be given in very smal amounts occasionally as it can cause kidney problems.
Ruby chard/red beet is a good leafy green for buns. I think if you are not sure which it is I would just go carefully with it and just a small amount.
What about carrot tops? Do you have carrots with the bushy green tops on them? If so these are enjoyed by bunnies.
Has he got some pain relief as well as the antibiotics? Something from this list from that article?
[Common NSAIDs that are used include; aspirin, carprofen, diclofenac, flunixin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meloxicam, acetominophen and piroxicam.]
For rabbits both are ok - but beetroot (the large purple bulb) has leaves which contain oxalates so it must only be given in very smal amounts occasionally as it can cause kidney problems.
Ruby chard/red beet is a good leafy green for buns. I think if you are not sure which it is I would just go carefully with it and just a small amount.
What about carrot tops? Do you have carrots with the bushy green tops on them? If so these are enjoyed by bunnies.
Has he got some pain relief as well as the antibiotics? Something from this list from that article?
[Common NSAIDs that are used include; aspirin, carprofen, diclofenac, flunixin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meloxicam, acetominophen and piroxicam.]
