I'd love some expert advice

because I'm really begining to lose faith in my vets. Can you guys tell me what to do?

My darling Pickle-Pie hasn't been right for a couple of months now. I guess round about mid October I noticed he wasn't eating his readigrass anymore, and he'd started leaving sticky poos. I assumed he just needed a dental but I put it off as long as I could because he was still eating plenty of pellets and veggies, and I didnt want to put him through the GA unless I had to. Then round about the begining of December he began to lose interest in food and I noticed him tooth grinding, so I booked him in for dental and had him done ASAP. He took a long time coming round from the aneasthetic, and for several days afterwards had the most horrible diarrhoea so I had to keep cleaning him. Unfortunately though the dental didn't do the trick - he's still not eating properly (about half of what he used to) and his poos are either tiny and rock hard or squishy. His bottom is always a mess. His right eye has been watery for a while too, and the week before Christmas he was holding it shut and it was very sore. The vet did the dye test and it turned out he had a little ulcer in there, so she gave my some drops and metacam which he's still on. His eye's open again but it's still watery. To be honest I think it's coming from problems with his tooth roots on that side, and he caused the ulcer from scratching. Now, this is where I need your advice! His current vet (supposedly the best in Cornwall!) says there's nothing they could do about dodgy tooth roots. All they seem to be offering is PTS! I'm desperate for a solution. Yes Pickles is 9 now, I know he's not going to last forever, but he's not ready to go yet and I'm going to do my best for him!

Does anyone have any experience with having their bun's back teeth removed, when they're still solidly embedded? Are there any other solutions? What can I do for my boy to make him more comfortable? The vet said to stop the metacam in case that's causing the squishy poos. I'm giving him fibreplex every day too. Please help and advise guys, I'm feeling very lost at the mo.

Aww I'm sorry I can't help but didn't want to read and run am sure someone will be able to help you when they read this

Has he had skull radiographs taken ?

When the Vet does a Dental on him does he/she take the crowns of the molars down to gum level or just burr off the spurs ?

Is he losing weight and/or drinking more than normal ?

Jack's-Jane said:

Has he had skull radiographs taken ?

When the Vet does a Dental on him does he/she take the crowns of the molars down to gum level or just burr off the spurs ?

Is he losing weight and/or drinking more than normal ?

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He hasn't had skull X-rays yet, because they say there's nothing they can do anyway. I wish I'd had them done when he was under for the last dental, because at least then I'd know.

I think it's just the spurs that he has burred down.

He doesn't seem to be losing weight yet, though I'm afraid he will soon unless I can get him eating properly again. At the moment he's having about a handful of SS pellets, a small carrot/handful of greens and a few treats a day. It keeps him going but it's nothing like what he used to get through a few months back. He feels a nice weight when I pick him up but to look at him his hips and ribs are jutting out, but I guess older animals do get that way?

He's not drinking very much at all. I guess because he's eating so few pellets. I actually gave him a drop of apple juice in his water yesterday to try and get some more fluids into him, as he must be losing quite a lot. But then of course I've got bacterial overgrowth to worry about! I love my little munchkin so much, I just want to do my best for him.

Is this the only rabbit vets you have in your area Hoppit?

Like Jane says if they can do an x-ray on his tooth roots for him, then you at least know if this is what you are dealing with or if there is still something else going on for him. And then if they are overgrown like Jane says perhaps they could take his teeth down more for him.

Just wondering if its worth trying Protexin Profibre pellets for him at all? We have added these to the ordinary pellets of a couple of our buns when they've needed a bit of help putting weight on and keeping fibre levels up.

Hope his tummy gets better soon x

PS If your vets don't feel expert enough to look in to it any more for him, could you maybe ask for a referral to a specialist? Would you be able to travel and could he tolerate it?

It does sound very much like dental problems. I would push for an x ray or referral. In the meantime to prevent weightloss you could offer mushy meals like porridge or pellets soaked in warm water. Sending vibes for your poor boy xxx

Oh dear, I feel trapped between a very large rock and a very hard hard place! I don't know whether to put him through more invasive procedures like a skull X-ray and blood tests, in the hope they can do something for him, or if I should just let nature take its inevitable course. I've rung round a couple more vets today and they've been very sniffy with me. Of course it's possible that the lack of appetite and dodgy tummy isn't really coming from his teeth, but something else in his system, like kidney issues. I wish there was a specialist in Cornwall but apparently not. I'd have to weigh up the pros and cons of taking him further upcountry. What should I do?!

Thanks for all your advice so far by the way! I've contacted the Protexin guys (never heard of them before!) to see if the pellets and Bio-Lapis would be helpful.

I think it's a deeper dental issue, like too much of a root growth or a bone infection - would explain the runny eye as well. But it's visible on an X-ray only, I suppose.
I hope you find a vet that cares to help more!