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Back teeth

sweety

Warren Scout
Hi there

Not sure how quick I will get a reply but just wanted to have a RANT, well voice a concern anyway

My house rabbit Holly is 3 years old, I've had no issues what so ever in that time, she eats everything I give and feed her totally correct. I have had rabbits 30 years now but have never had one with back teeth spurs? Took her to the vet yesterday because she's eating hay and a bit of carrot but not her pellets which is Burgess Excel. The vet was great, checked everything and the only thing he said was on that she had tooth spurs? but to give gut moving drugs and metacam e t c, all the normal stuff and come back if she don't start eating properly.

Right now she's bright in the fact she runs round in the house and the garden but you can see she's not 100% happy(we know our bunnies)

I have booked her in tomorrow to be put under to have the teeth sorted. I am worried because I had another rabbit who had slight spurs but turned out it was gastric infection and on metacam and baytril, had completely recovered and started eating again.

You know where I am coming from probably? , its hard sometimes to diagnose stuff sometimes but I cant leave her until she doesn't eat anything or not doing poo poos, she is pooing but not as much.

I would appreciate any replies

Thanks ever so much, I guess I've been lucky for 30 years with no rabbits with issues. I had a few with front teeth but that was easier.

Sweety
 
I completely understand your worries and concerns.

My bun is 5years old and for 4 of those was completely healthy. One day he just seemed 'not quite right' and so I took him to the vet. They diagnosed him with pretty serious spurs which needed treatment.

Unfortunately for my boy it turns out he has pretty severe dental disease. His spurs need treating every 4 weeks (one of the worst my specialist vet has ever seen).

Woody doesn't eat any hay - and very little grass. I have tried everything in my power to change this but he doesn't touch the stuff. I am unsure if this is because it is too painful or because he doesn't like the taste.

Are you currently seeing a rabbit savvy vet? If you are worried and would like another opinion then I would suggest seeing an exotic specialist (if you aren't already).

But, you are doing the right thing by choosing to have your bun treated - spurs can get very painful.

I can always tell when my Woody is in pain because his behaviour changes and there are tell-tell signs such as mouth chomping.

Make sure he eats as much fibre as he can - hay being very good obviously. Forage also works well.

If you would like any more info just give me a shout.
 
:wave: We also have a dental bun and she has always had treatment before she stops eating. They recover better if they are as well as possible and as well fed as possible. It can also be hard to see whether spurs are doing any soft tissue damage without a GA. I would get them sorted. Hope this helps.
I would also suggest trying to find a really good rabbit vet.
Hope your bun is soon sorted!
 
Thank you both so much

Holly is a good size and 2.7kg and now 2.64 so I've got her at a good weight still and she's not lost much.

I am reassured and I know its not an uncommon condition, she's a lovely rabbit, likes cuddles and kisses all of us, however she don't like being picked up much, lays up against you, sits on the sofa and follows me round the house like a toddler!! and she's getting better since syringing.

I am sure that all this after care will help her become more trusting . I was told that lionheads are a bit head strong, she was fine when a baby.

I will let you know how she goes


1 more question, how quickly does a rabbit start eating proper again after this procedure?

Bye for now

Sweety
 
Wow 30 years and no dental bunnies - that's more than lucky!

Nearly every bunny I have had has had at least one dental and far to many need them regularly.

How it affects the bunny varies wildly. Some stop eating all together, some you barely notice anything is wrong apart from a slight weight loss. How long to recover - how long is a piece of string?

Some bunnies struggle some come around from the op wanting their dinner. the quicker you notice the issue the quicker the recovery. Mild spur should mean that less damage has been done meaning less time to heal.

Spurs does not automatically mean bad eating habits. Some rabbits are born with dreadful teeth and lionheads seem to be some of the worse affected.

Wish you all the best for her op.x
 
Thanks

Wow 30 years and no dental bunnies - that's more than lucky!

Nearly every bunny I have had has had at least one dental and far to many need them regularly.

How it affects the bunny varies wildly. Some stop eating all together, some you barely notice anything is wrong apart from a slight weight loss. How long to recover - how long is a piece of string?

Some bunnies struggle some come around from the op wanting their dinner. the quicker you notice the issue the quicker the recovery. Mild spur should mean that less damage has been done meaning less time to heal.

Spurs does not automatically mean bad eating habits. Some rabbits are born with dreadful teeth and lionheads seem to be some of the worse affected.

Wish you all the best for her op.x


Hi there HappyBunny

Yea ive been more than lucky, yes shes a lionhead cross and looks like a lionhead so its interesting to know its a breed thing

Thank you
 
We are lucky with Scarlet as she is very good at eating afterwards but it does depend on the bunny. Make sure your vet gives you some critical care or similar in case you need to syringe feed her, Scarlet will also eat this from a bowl (she loves the stuff!). We usually get her favourite herbs etc. in to encourage her to eat afterwards. Scarlet does just have dreadful teeth, she's had several back teeth removed too but we're lucky we have a UK expert within an hours drive. Good luck to your bun!
 
We are lucky with Scarlet as she is very good at eating afterwards but it does depend on the bunny. Make sure your vet gives you some critical care or similar in case you need to syringe feed her, Scarlet will also eat this from a bowl (she loves the stuff!). We usually get her favourite herbs etc. in to encourage her to eat afterwards. Scarlet does just have dreadful teeth, she's had several back teeth removed too but we're lucky we have a UK expert within an hours drive. Good luck to your bun!

I've been constantly told by numerous vets that removing back teeth wasn't an option because of the complexity of the procedure. I have often asked about having this done - my vets are specialists but not dental specialists.

Has the back teeth removal helped greatly? Who is your vet?
 
Me again

Hi

Holly ate some of her pellets over night and was her usual looney self last night, she's had 48 hours of meds.

I've taken her to the vet and as she has improved , we are going to give her 24 hours more on the meds and do the dental Friday if need be? This different vet checked her teeth and said her spurs are really tiny! however rabbits are all different and tiny spurs can be enough in some rabbits to not make them cope?


So we are hanging in there with Holly, shes bright, energetic e t c, its difficult with rabbits with rumbly guts as it could be rumbly guts making them not eat properly or teeth making them not eat then causing gut issues.

I will keep you updated

Sweety
 
I've been constantly told by numerous vets that removing back teeth wasn't an option because of the complexity of the procedure. I have often asked about having this done - my vets are specialists but not dental specialists.

Has the back teeth removal helped greatly? Who is your vet?

The back teeth removal has helped enormously, Scarlet has gone from 8 to 12 week dentals to having had one in 18 months and her hay eating has increased dramatically. Francis Harcourt Brown did it. We are lucky she is so close by. Our vet would not even consider doing it and I would 100% agree with him on that. It is a specialist procedure only to be done when appropriate and by an expert. Our vet was happy to refer us on.

Where do you go? Jason Burgess at Wood Veterinary Group in Gloucester is also very experienced with rabbits.
 
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Hi me again

Holly had her back teeth spurs done yesterday and is doing ok regarding anaesthetic recovery, shes not back to her normal self yet, id say 70% and I know they are all different. She ate 4 to 6 pellets over night and has done half a dozen poos and 4 wees, shes eaten hay, grass quite a lot.

I have just rang my vet and they said that she needs to eat more pellets so they know she's ok using her back teeth? if she don't eat markedly bigger amounts, of pellets today? they want to see her tomorrow. Its cost in excess of 100 pounds this week, id never not pay it of course.

I said well I have grinded the pellets down and offered it and mixed with water just to see if she would eat it that way? she wont eat it like that or critical care which she hates. Shes lovely but gets stressed when you restrain her to syringe meds e t c in, she is getting easier though.

My importance from experience is to keep their guts moving, no gut movement, your in trouble!!

I would appreciate any feed back, I am experienced rabbit person but as I said before, never had one that's had back teeth.

Thanks

Sweety
 
As she has had an antithetic she should be booked in for a post op check (1 to 2 days after op). They should then check her but and give a stimulant if required. They will also assess a need for anti-biotics and pain relief.
 
hi

Hi

Yes she's got post op check Monday morning.

She's back to her normal looney self, still eating grass, hay, greens.

It is worrying, she's eaten another 10 pellets, I counted the amount I put in so I can accurately monitor
what she's eaten. I have spoken to the vets again and they have said give her time as they all vary.

Thanks again
 
Her mouth will be sore so its not surprising she is not eating as much pellets. If this were mine the day after a dental I would be over the moon. x
 
The back teeth removal has helped enormously, Scarlet has gone from 8 to 12 week dentals to having had one in 18 months and her hay eating has increased dramatically. Francis Harcourt Brown did it. We are lucky she is so close by. Our vet would not even consider doing it and I would 100% agree with him on that. It is a specialist procedure only to be done when appropriate and by an expert. Our vet was happy to refer us on.

Where do you go? Jason Burgess at Wood Veterinary Group in Gloucester is also very experienced with rabbits.

Sorry I've only just got back here!

I've heard amazing things about FHB. I would definitely travel to visit her. Especially if it would reduce his pain.

I will research Jason Burgess - thank you.
 
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