Head tilted pig not chewing properly

[PoppysPiggies]

Hi all,

My piggy, bramble, has had a head tilt for quite a few months (following what the vet thinks was a bacterial ear infection but I suspect a stroke, although he did finish his course of antibiotics). He's generally very happy, he's clumsy but loves to run around, especially on the grass. He eats and drinks very well.

But, when he eats, he doesn't move the other side of his face at all and often leaves partially chewed food in his mouth (especially after he's been on the grass).

Is there anything I can do? Or should I just check him after he eats to make sure there's nothing stuck?

Thank you in advance

 

[YvonneBlue]

I am not one of the forum health experts but i think my worry would be that Brambles teeth won't wear down on the side were he isn't chewing. This could lead to them getting overgrown and causing problems. I would think that he probably needs regular checks of his teeth.

I am not sure were in the world you are (guessing UK) but the best dental vets for guinea pigs are Simon and Kim at the Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton.

I'm sure one of the health experts will be along soon with more specialist advice.

 

[Siikibam]

Does he move that side of his face when doing other things? Does it look like the other side? I would get him checked out if he’s not chewing as ‘normal’.

 

[PoppysPiggies]

I am not one of the forum health experts but i think my worry would be that Brambles teeth won't wear down on the side were he isn't chewing. This could lead to them getting overgrown and causing problems. I would think that he probably needs regular checks of his teeth.

I am not sure were in the world you are (guessing UK) but the best dental vets for guinea pigs are Simon and Kim at the Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton.

I'm sure one of the health experts will be along soon with more specialist advice.

Yep, I'm in the UK, I'll have a look if there's anything good near me (I'm around Manchester). His teeth look ok now, but overtime it might be a problem

 

[PoppysPiggies]

Does he move that side of his face when doing other things? Does it look like the other side? I would get him checked out if he’s not chewing as ‘normal’.

He doesn't really move it and it's a bit droopy, but he's been like this for nearly a year, the issues with chewing just seem to be more recent. He's definitely still eating enough, he just gets some sort of residual food lest in his mouth. I'm checking him after they get veggies and grass now, so I can remove anything that gets stuck. I don't mind taking him to a vet, but he gets very stressed when he's away from his friend (they call out for eachother), so I don't want to if it's not necessary

 

[Siikibam]

Take his friend with him for support. It’s what most of us do here. Have you been weighing him regularly? How is his weight?

There are two really good vets in Northampton who have extensive experience with treating dental piggies. A lot of members travel far and wide to go see them. And for other things as well. I would consider taking him there. It’s Cat & Rabbit.

 

[YvonneBlue]

He doesn't really move it and it's a bit droopy, but he's been like this for nearly a year, the issues with chewing just seem to be more recent. He's definitely still eating enough, he just gets some sort of residual food lest in his mouth. I'm checking him after they get veggies and grass now, so I can remove anything that gets stuck. I don't mind taking him to a vet, but he gets very stressed when he's away from his friend (they call out for eachother), so I don't want to if it's not necessary

My piggies always go the vet with a friend for support. When Mavis goes for her yearly ultrasound the whole trio go so no one is on their own all day.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

He doesn't really move it and it's a bit droopy, but he's been like this for nearly a year, the issues with chewing just seem to be more recent. He's definitely still eating enough, he just gets some sort of residual food lest in his mouth. I'm checking him after they get veggies and grass now, so I can remove anything that gets stuck. I don't mind taking him to a vet, but he gets very stressed when he's away from his friend (they call out for eachother), so I don't want to if it's not necessary

It could quite well be that if he has head tilt and one side of his face droops, his jaw action has been slightly compromised, so that over time his back teeth aren't waring down properly and now have reached a point where they are starting to cause a problem.
I would also recommend the vets in Northampton they are very experienced and can carry out conscious dentals. If he does have dental issues due to the problem with his head/face he may need dental in the future to, so avoiding recurrent anaesthetics would be of benefit.

 

[PoppysPiggies]

Take his friend with him for support. It’s what most of us do here. Have you been weighing him regularly? How is his weight?

There are two really good vets in Northampton who have extensive experience with treating dental piggies. A lot of members travel far and wide to go see them. And for other things as well. I would consider taking him there. It’s Cat & Rabbit.

It could quite well be that if he has head tilt and one side of his face droops, his jaw action has been slightly compromised, so that over time his back teeth aren't waring down properly and now have reached a point where they are starting to cause a problem.
I would also recommend the vets in Northampton they are very experienced and can carry out conscious dentals. If he does have dental issues due to the problem with his head/face he may need dental in the future to, so avoiding recurrent anaesthetics would be of benefit.

Thank you all so much, I'll be taking him to the vets to see if he needs anything and I'll take his friend too. I hadn't considered that they could go together for some reason, but that will make them much less stressed. He does seem very happy, do dental issues are probably my main concern, but id like to double-check what could be causing it