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Brandy's teeth

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hesperus
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Hesperus

Hello all,
Firstly I'm new here so hello and thanks for having such a good forum.
I'm an experienced guinea pig owner, having had them all my life. At the moment I have three, one who is nearly four and two who are 4 months.

I've got a problem with one of the younger ones. Her front teeth are starting to develop into an upside down V shape on the top and bottom. I am sure it's not a problem with her not having anything to gnaw on, as she eats grass and hay nearly all day and often gnaws on apple branches from our tree. Similarly, I'm sure it's not her diet. The other two piggies are fine.

She is eating without problems at the moment, so I'll be keeping an eye on her food and weight. I haven't been able to check her back teeth as I'm alone in the house at the moment and would like someone to look whilst I hold her or vice versa.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this and what I can do to help? Obviously, I'll take her to the vet if no simple solution is found,

Thanks for letting me ask on my first post!
Best wishes,
Suzie
 
Sounds like they're not wearing down properly maybe. Or it could be her 'personal shape', I would monitor her and especially the hay and grass eating. Depending on where you are maybe someone can help with getting her looked at?
 
Hello, Welcome to the forum.
As long as Brandy is eating and putting on weight,do not worry at the moment.Weigh him about twice a week.He is a bit young to have problems with the molars,but unfortunately some piggies can be born with jaw/teeth problems which may not cause any problem at first.If Brandy starts picking at his food,dribbling or losing weight,get him straight to a vet who is experienced with gp dental work.There is no need for sedation to examine a piggies back teeth not indeed for minor dental work.
 
Just managed, with the help of some of her favourite greens, to get her to show me right down to the bottom of her front teeth. Her teeth aren't growing out in the right places, thus the uneven wear. At the bottom she has a large gap between the two teeth which then move in towards each other, they are also slightly different lengths. The top ones have a smaller gap although they have much sharper points on them. To be honest it doesn't look very good, though at least she can eat properly. She's not as fast at chewing as the other two though, so I make sure she always gets the same portion as them!

Anyone got any tips for looking at the back teeth, and thanks for your reassurance those who replied. I don't know of any GP dental experts in the area, (East Sussex!) though I live near a specialised small animal vet who has treated one of mine in the past.
 
It is very difficult to look at the molars without buccal pad seperators,so in other words,you need a vet who is gp competent,or a rodentologist.
Can you get to Surrey?,my vets were trained by Peter Gurney in dental techniques and are brilliant with all things piggy.
Is there a gp rescue near you?,you could ask what vet they use.
The situation is not urgent as long as Brandy is not losing weight,but I think you do need to have him looked at.
 
I could try to get to Surrey, I am a penniless student though :'(. There is a GP sanctuary in my town so I'll give them a ring see which they use. I'll also ring my local vet see if he knows much about teeth!
Thanks for your help, poor Brandy, I feel a bit sorry for her now, especially as her mouth looks so odd with pointy teeth. Never mind, I'll love her anyway! :smitten:
 
Chris and Titch are in Sussex (Cavies Castle) I'm sure, and are excellent with piggies and teeth. Contact Chrissie at Gorgeous Guineas [email protected] for their contact details, I don't have them to hand. They will also be able to help regarding vets. Watch for food getting caught in the gap and very well spotted :)
 
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