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Gums growing up over back teeth

N

Nicola3

Mama Doe
Hello fwiends,

As some of you may now Harvey has to have his teeth burred every few months due to his jaw being ever so slightly misaligned.

Recently I've been having probs with him being uncomfortable and not eating so much. He went back for another dental last week and my vet noticed that his gums at the back of his mouth on the inside of his back molars have started to grow up on the inside of his teeth. This has happened on both sides at the back and the gum has grown about a quarter of the way up his teeth. This has only happened at the back. Has anybody else experienced this with their rabbit before? The gum is a healthy pink colour and my vet couldn't see any sign of infection.

If anyone else has experienced or heard of this before or know what causes it I would be very grateful to hear from you.

Lots of love,

Nicola and Harvey xxx
 
Hi Nicola, I have just had the same problem diagnosed with Thyme. Have you had any joy finding out why or what the best treatment for it is?? Jess
 
Hello,

Harvey had his molars checked last Thursday which was when my vet noticed the gums had started to grow on the inside of his molars, only on the back but on both sides of his mouth. My vet said she has never come across it before on a rabbit but was going to get in touch with a rabbit specialist for advice. She said that the gums have grown about a quarter of the way up his back teeth on the inside. What did your vet say? Do you know how far the gums have grown? Also is it causing you bunny discomfort as Harvey has been suffering from some kind of pain for a while now and has had lots of tests to try and figure out what is causing him the discomfort. I'm wondering whether it has been the gums? What has your vet suggested?

I don't know what causes it. I'm hoping somebody on here may have some advice or info. I'm really hoping they don't continue to grow as that is going to cause problems. I'm wondering if there's any way to stop the growth of the gum? It is difficult to remove the gum as it is full of tiny blood vessels. Also it may grow back again?

Have you had any joy finding out any more?

L o L,

Nic and Harv xxx
 
Hi Nicola,

It looks like this is something not many people have come across! A specialist sounds like a good idea.

I know in humans they can reduce the gums using one of those hot cut & cauterise tools. I don't know what the proper term is but they seal the blood vesels as they cut and they are used in surgery too. I guess in theory the same could be done for rabbits.

Tam
 
Hi Tam x,

Thanks for replying. I am really worried.

My vet has contacted one rabbit specialist who wasn't familiar with this. However I have asked her to contact David Crossley and am waiting to hear whether she's received any advice/info from him.

Another member on the forum is having the same probs with her rabbit. I did contact her but haven't heard back yet.

My vet did mention the process you mentioned I think it's called something like diathermy? The only thing she was concerned about with that is that it can cause scar tissue to develop and may make it even more sore? Also how do you know whether it will grow back after treatment?

I would like to know what causes it so I can take measures to maybe stop it getting worse. I wondered whether the method of burring a rabbits molars can cause a buns gums to grow upwards. For instance if the molars are burred too far down could this cause the gums to grow?

Any advice, info, knowledge or theories gratefully received.

Big hugs,

Nicola and Harvey xxx
 
Reading a bit more it seems lazer reduction of gums in people & sometimes in dogs is reasonably common. I don't know about the scar issue but when they do it on people it looks natural so I wouldn't have thought there could be large amounts of scaring?

Only thing I could find on cause was vit A deficiency and some drugs (I presume your bun hasn't been poping to the chemist behind your back tho).

I don't know whether damage caused from the regular treatment could effect the gums. I guess it they are damaged when the teeth are burred it could actually be scar tissue that's growing up as they heal?

This is all pretty much wild theory on my part so don't take me too seriously :)

Tam
 
Hi Tam :D ,

Thanks so much for replying :D ,

Any suggestions or theories are much appreciated. I feel really on my own at the moment. I really appreciate your efforts as I have tried looking on internet etc and can't find anything.

Harv has been on drugs on and off for quite a while. He's been on Tagamet on two seperate occassions for about a month each time and is on it now as he is on metacam and it is supposed to help against developing gastric ulcers.

He also has the usual drugs when having a dental-metcalopromide, painkiller, GA etc.

Tamsin do you know what the best method of burring is? I know some vets only burr the spurs off molars while others burr the tooth right down.

If you find out any more info or have any more theories please do let me know even if they're real shot in the dark theories please let me know.

Thanks for all your help.

Harv sends you a big bunny snuggle...

harvted.jpg

harvted03.jpg


Hugs,

Nicola and Harvey xxx
 
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