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Molar problem?? Sorry long post - update - back home!

Hels

New Kit
Hi there,

I'm pretty sure that Humphrey has got spurs on his molars. I have just got back from holiday (my brother was looking after him for me) and he does not seem to be able to eat straw or hay or anything that needs alot of chewing. He goes to the hay and he works on one piece for about 20 minutes without getting anywhere. He really wants to eat it but he just can't. He is managing with small and softish stuff that needs the minimal of chewing. I have taken to giving him a little bit of grass - I know you are not really supposed to give them cut grass but it is the only thing that is closest to hay that he can eat, am I going to harm him doing this? I am concerned that he is getting fibre. He also has a bit of a wet and matted area under his chin which I know is a sign, he has had it for months though without these other symptoms.

I took him to the local vet near my brother who checked his front teeth and the front of his back teeth as he also had a bit of an accident at my brothers (a door fell on him - awful) who said they were fine but he couldn't see the very back of his molars (vet also said no other damage after accident). I am going to take him to his regular vet on monday but I was just after a bit of advice about what would be OK to feed him (including grass?) and also does anyone had a good pet insurance as I understand that he will need operations for the rest of his life if it is the problem. Has anyone else got this prob with their buns?
Thank you so much for any advice, I am worried sick.
Helen
 
Hi

Molars Molars they are the pain of my life!!!!!

But there is hope I'm up to 34 weeks without my bunny having to have the spurs taken off his and he was having them done ever 6 weeks!!! :shock: :shock:

Where do I start, firstly the wet under his chin does sound like he has spurs and the fact that he is not eating well. It can take weeks for them to stop eating completely so he could have had this for a long time.

If he will eat grass that is good, if you cut it and give it to him straight away that should be fine but if he has not eaten it in 1 hour take it away and give him fresh and then do same again.

No insurance will cover you now as it is a problem you already have and a lot of them will not cover you for teeth anyway.

The diet is the most important thing if you have a bunny with teeth problems :( :( :( HAY HAY AND MORE HAY. Mine will not eat hay so he is on grass all day with no rabbit food only a table spoon or less in the evening. If yours will eat hay then take him off rabbit food completely and feed him nothing but hay and see how he gets on after the trip to the vets.

ALL IS NOT LOST CHIN UP THIS CAN IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES BE SORTED :D :D :D

I had one of mine dome 2 years ago and on the above diet he has never had to have them done again.

Good Luck

Maureen
 
What dry food do you usually feed him? If its pellets then dipping them in water helps sofen them and he may then eat them. If he usually eats a mix rather than pellet you might want to consider swapping. Supreme Science (for example) is higher in fibre, softer than mixes and easier to make soggy and if necessary suringe feed :)

Its really important you keep him eating, if he stops then his gut will shut down. Keep an eye on his pop as this will change to runny if the grass upsets him and if he's not eating enough with get small & hard.

If he usually has a water bottle try giving him a bowl as well.

You could also try something like wheatabix as that is soft
 
Hi

Yes Tamsin is right you must make sure that he is still eating, so his gut does not stop working. Warm water is better to soften the mixed rabbit food and try grating carrot as this will also give him plenty of water and is easy for them to eat.

Best Wishes

Maureen
 
Dont give up! Flopsy is about 10 and never had any problems until December last year, he then developed spurs on his back teeth and had them cut off under anesthetic. He then needed them doing again after 3 weeks, then 5 weeks, then 3 weeks and now we all have a paws crossed!

Flopsy wont eat hay and I'm sure things would improve if he did. A specialist has confirmed that his teeth on one side at the back seem to have stopped growing, but not on the other. Its the chewing motion of eating hay, cabbage, grass etc that stops the spurs developing.

Hope your bunny is better soon, trying syring feeding if you have to, like the others said, you need to keep the gut working.

Good luck...
 
update..having surgery..

Hi there
Many thanks for all the advice, I have been feeding him the softened pellets which he is just about managing. I took him to the vets this morning and the vet was able to get a good look in his mouth and thinks he can see spurs on one side. Humphrey has been rushed through to surgery and so I am now waiting at home, pacing the floor!
Is there any other advice you can think of that might prevent this from recurring? He is not too good at eating his hay, should I buy more expensive hay and stop his pellets all together? Am now panicking as although he is worth it regular surgery is going to be expensive and I will have problems affording it. Any suggestions gratefully recieved!
Thanks again for the replies, please keep fingers and paws crossed for Humph and his surgery.
x Helen
 
Hi,

I hope all is well, I spoke too soon have just gone to check on Fudge my bunny that had not had his teeth done for 2/3 years and guess what all wet under the chin!!!

I've booked in in to have a check up tomorrow and surgery if necessary and I already know the answer to that one.

Best wishe to you and your bun

Maureen
 
And I thought it was just my sicky boy Benny who had spurs on his molars. Benny's problems started 3 months ago and has had 4 spurs removed under anaesthetic!
In a desperate attempt at getting him to eat more hay I have drastically cut back his dried food & veg and it's worked he is happily munching hay now.
I would recommend though that you take them to the vets as soon as you notice wet patches, I almost lost Benny as a spur had grown into his tongue and there was no sign until he started dribbling then his tongue got infected, he stopped eating and it was touch & go for 3 weeks!
On a happy note though he went for a check up today and he has put all the weight he lost back on and he's back to his normal skippy self!!
 
Hi all
Thanks so much for all good wishes and advice, just to let you know that Humph is home and doing OK. He did not exactly have spurs but very sharp edged molars which have been rasped and could have become spurs had not things been done so quickly.
I think Humph is a bit annoyed with me as he keeps turning his back but I guess once he realises that he can eat his fave foods again he'll come round! He is not eating well yet but I'm hoping that in a couple of days it will be better.
Best wishes and good luck to those who have buns with similar problems, especially Benny, Flopsy and Fudge.
Thanks guys
Helen
 
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