Dental Guinea pig struggling to eat

[PiggyMummy84]

I took my 2.5 year old Guinea pig to the vets this afternoon as he's not been himself for a couple days not really eating. The vet said he thinks he has a bone growth inside his mouth, he has given anti inflammatory and recovery but has said if he's not eating in a couple of days we should put him to sleep. He is really trying to eat and has eaten small bits but seems to struggle with the food when trying to chew it. Any help appreciated, i don't want to put him to sleep but i don't want him to suffer either.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please step in and syringe feed him Urgently. The syringe feeding replaces the hay your piggy isn’t eating for himself.
Mushed pellets will do in the absence of a proper recovery feed, but id advise you do get a recovery feed as it is higher in fibre content.
You will also need to switch from weekly to daily weight checks to ensure you are getting enough syringe feed into him. If he loses weight, then you need to increase the syringe feeds. You’re aiming for up to 90ml of syringe feed in a 24 hour period but as said, his daily weight checks are the way to determine if you’re feeding enough.

Is the vet cavy savvy?
Were the teeth checked properly? Often the cause of not being able to eat is a dental issue, the tongue being trapped by overgrown teeth. Was that checked for?

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

 

[PiggyMummy84]

Thank you for your reply, i am syringe feeding him critical care at the moment. The vet said he checked the teeth and they all looked fine he said that it was bone growth at the side of his mouth that will be causing him to struggle eating. Is this common in Guinea pigs?

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s not something I’ve heard of.
Could the vet actually see a bone growth? How about a check for a dental abscess?
@Wiebke

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your reply, i am syringe feeding him critical care at the moment. The vet said he checked the teeth and they all looked fine he said that it was bone growth at the side of his mouth that will be causing him to struggle eating. Is this common in Guinea pigs?

I have heard of back teeth spurs growing out very crookedly but not bone growths. It is not a common problem at all.

I am linking in @furryfriends (TEAS) who has by far the most experience with all issues with teeth and the face area.

 

[Two_Wheeks]

I know it is unlikely, but my boy was like this. He was hungry but just couldn't eat. I took him to an amazing vet (Simon in Northampton), and he pulled out a really hard piece of hay from between his back teeth, that had rubbed and caused a sore - my regular vet thought it was a spur and was going to operate a couple of days later but he deteriorated to such an extent we took him elsewhere..
It might be a bit far for you to travel, but worth a second opinion if you can get to a piggy vet elsewhere?

 

[PiggyMummy84]

It’s not something I’ve heard of.
Could the vet actually see a bone growth? How about a check for a dental abscess?
@Wiebke

He said he didn't think it was an absess but he didn't do an x ray

 

[Siikibam]

I would see if you can get him booked in at Cat & Rabbit in Northampton.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I would recommend the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton too. Simon or Kim are the best dental piggie vets in the country. No referrals needed, they will check your piggies mouth out properly and do any dental work needed there and then consciously with no aesthetic required. It’s very reasonably priced as a one off registration fee around £50 and conscious dental if needed at £60. You won’t find anyone with more experience of dental problems, people travel from all over the country.
Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic | Northlands Vets ring early for an appointment at 8.00 am Simon or Kim Maddock