Think I'm losing Toffee-diet help please post 31 !

So Toffee had his first dental just 5 weeks ago, aged 2 1/2 years. The vet did X-rays, and discovered that he has a malformed jaw,so he's teeth don't even meet in places. He had an awful ulcer at the back of his tongue. His poos have never been "normal" so at least we now knew why.
This past week he's struggled to eat anything, I've chopped up the softest hay, and resorted to grated carrot in nuggets to get something down him. He's been very happy though, not lost any weight, and has been his normal chirpy self.
After a visit to vets last week, he was booked in provisionally today, for another dental with his usual vet. She got a nurse to hold him, and let me look through the opthlamascope to see his teeth. He virtually has no top teeth, they are all worn away, whilst his bottom ones have grown up, but they don't meet in most places. She was very nice and explained that no matter what we give Toffee to eat, the situation is never going to get any better, and that he can't have a G.A. every 4/5 weeks. Anyway, she is going to burr down what she can today, so without her actually saying it, I think I am going to have to make a decision in the coming weeks, months.
I know I haven't explained any of this very well, I am emotionally exhausted, and am going to have to give him critical care when he comes home, which I've never done before.
I can't and won't see him suffer, but please if there any vibes going spare for Toffee, we would appreciate them.

Oh goodness, I'm so sorry

Sending lots of love and vibes for Toffee and many (((((hugs))))) for you too xx

Why can't he have a GA every 4 - 5 weeks? Is it from a health/welfare point of view? Some rabbits manage well with it.

Can you seek advice from a specialist? RedFraggle has a rabbit Scarlet, who has terrible teeth and has had a lot removed but copes really well.

There is a procedure to kill the tooth root to stop tooth growing which *might* be an option for Toffee. Maybe if your vet can get some x-rays when he is in then you would have something to work on re opinion from a specialist. (Sorry, just re-read, you've already got the x-rays)

It does sound pretty horrendous but it's amazing what can be done these days, you might be able to buy him some more time without compromising his welfare. Sending many vibes that the outcome is far, far better than you currently fear it to be

I'm so sorry to read this about Toffee and his poor teeth I'm really hoping and praying that a long term solution can be found so his teeth can be kept manageable and he can enjoy a good quality of life. I know how devoted you are to him and that you wouldn't put him through any unnecessary suffering but it's absolutely heart breaking that you're having to even consider such a difficult and painful decision.

Sending little Toffee lots of vibes and hugs for you xx

Bunny Buddy said:

Why can't he have a GA every 4 - 5 weeks? Is it from a health/welfare point of view? Some rabbits manage well with it.

Can you seek advice from a specialist? RedFraggle has a rabbit Scarlet, who has terrible teeth and has had a lot removed but copes really well.

There is a procedure to kill the tooth root to stop tooth growing which *might* be an option for Toffee. Maybe if your vet can get some x-rays when he is in then you would have something to work on re opinion from a specialist. (Sorry, just re-read, you've already got the x-rays)

It does sound pretty horrendous but it's amazing what can be done these days, you might be able to buy him some more time without compromising his welfare. Sending many vibes that the outcome is far, far better than you currently fear it to be

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Thank you, maybe at the moment I'm just thinking the worst, but I think it was his health she was worrying about. Problem is with living here, I'm so very limited as to finding another vet. I'm not a confident driver, so that limits me somewhat with distance. I'll wait and see how today goes, and take it from there. Thanks for your help though x

Scrappy's Little Helper said:

I'm so sorry to read this about Toffee and his poor teeth I'm really hoping and praying that a long term solution can be found so his teeth can be kept manageable and he can enjoy a good quality of life. I know how devoted you are to him and that you wouldn't put him through any unnecessary suffering but it's absolutely heart breaking that you're having to even consider such a difficult and painful decision.

Sending little Toffee lots of vibes and hugs for you xx

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Thank you, I appreciate that xxx

Oh poor Toffee

Can't he live off that liquid food that they have if they can't eat properly? I think it's called Recover or something like that, it looks like mashed up green mush (and stinks)? They can either lap it up from a bowl or it can be syringe fed into them.

I wish you luck, not a pleasant decision to have to make I'm sure, especially when other than his teeth he is well. What a shame

Pets mum said:

Thank you, maybe at the moment I'm just thinking the worst, but I think it was his health she was worrying about. Problem is with living here, I'm so very limited as to finding another vet. I'm not a confident driver, so that limits me somewhat with distance. I'll wait and see how today goes, and take it from there. Thanks for your help though x

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I think most of us think the worst when given such bad news, it's quite a natural response. I really hope that the outlook isn't as bleak as it seems now.

So sorry Toffee has awful problems. Can you put lots of veg, fruit, herbs, dandelion and soaked pellets through a liquidiser to make a type of puree. My late Snowy lived a good 5 years with food prepared like this. I lost him aged 10. Lots of vibes and love to Toffee.

Oh Toffee

I'm so sorry to read you're going through such a tough time with him - I have absolutely no experience of dental buns, but just wanted to add my vibes - I hope something can be done to keep him going. It's easy to think the worse when you're so stressed by the situation - mega big hugs xxxx

I'm so sorry Hope you can find a solution that can help his terrible teeth. Sending lots of vibes for Toffee xx

I am sure there are some bunnies on her who manage with no teeth at all? Sounds really drastic but would that be an option? To have them removed?

I am so sorry you and toffee are going through this I hope that you can find a solution x

Hi, I also think I am loosing my wee guy, he around 8 and a half and had his 1st Dental on Friday. After I went to collect him they told me he had a lump. They are hoping it is an abscess and are treating it with antibiotics.... He still not any better, he will eat mushy pellets and wee nibbles. But won't eat hay. He's lost so much weight too. I'm devastated and dreading Friday as its his last antibiotic. Send hugs to toffee xx

Thank you everyone for your lovely words, and good wishes for Toffee. I've the rang the vets, and he's come through G.A. ok, so I will be picking him up later.
I will wait and see what vets says, and post an update later.
Everything looks bleak when you haven't slept doesn't it xxx

Pets mum said:

Thank you everyone for your lovely words, and good wishes for Toffee. I've the rang the vets, and he's come through G.A. ok, so I will be picking him up later.
I will wait and see what vets says, and post an update later.
Everything looks bleak when you haven't slept doesn't it xxx

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Glad he's come through the GA.

I hope the vet has some news for you, so you can make a decision, after you've caught up on sleep

This breaks my heart!!! All my love and prayers for both you & Toffee, xxx

thinking of toffee x The suggestion of teeth out and eating mush sounds plausable. hope you find a fab solution. Hugs to you x


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Hi, sorry it's not better news. Just to check, is she talking about back teeth or front ones? Lots of buns have their incisors removed and cope very well with it, if that's any use.

Lots of vibes for Toffee. I hope you get some rest soon xx

Hi everyone, he's home safe, and looking very grumpy.
Vet had a good chat with me, and basically she said that Toffees top teeth (all molars, incisors are fine) look like the teeth of an old rabbit, and have almost worn away ! His bottom teeth have hardly grown at all since his last dental, which was just 5 weeks ago, and he has no mouth ulcers, which is good news. She also said that his teeth are very soft, and only required a very light rasp a couple of times, to wear them down (the bottom ones) She said that with the way they are, it doesn't matter what hay I give him, it's not going to make a difference to his teeth, it's impossible for him to grind it. She gave me a pack of critical care, and didn't charge me, which I thought was very nice of her, think she felt sorry for me !
So for now, we carry on. Once his mouth feels better, I am going to trial him on various softer foods. I am going to get a grinder to crush nuggets and fibre first, with herbs etc. As long as he is happy and not in pain, I'm not going to beat myself up over him not eating hay.
Thank you everyone for your love and helpful advice, I just don't know where I would be without the support of you lovely understanding people. Xxxxxxxx