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malocclusion: what do I do?

N

niedzwiecka33@

New Born Pup
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Cambridge
Hello, my name is Ewa and my guinea pig is Apollo! He’s a 6 year old white crested boy. Yes he’s an old guy. So Apollo has malocclusion and has had his back teeth done 3 times over the past 2 and a half months. He is also developing problems with his front teeth growing unequally and the top ones are growing backwards into his fat cheeks. The vet has suggested that we remove one of his back teeth that keeps growing over his tongue and cutting it but it is a risky procedure and might not even help. It pains me to see him not eating well and so lifeless. His bottom jaw also wobbles and I can tell that he’s in discomfort. I’m not having to liquid feed him anymore through a syringe as he eats his pellets but the last time they did his teeth I had to syringe feed him every two hours for over a week. I also noticed today that he’s began drooling a lot more than usual. And yes, I feed him high fibre pellets accompanied with vegetables every day and he always has hay. He also takes dental supplement treats and a multivitamin. I’m just here to ask for advice if you have any and to seek for advice on wether it’s too early to think about doing the best for him and his comfort (I.e putting him down for his own good and peace). It truly breaks my heart to have to write this but I just feel so hopeless and I see no conclusion. Thank you
 
I'm sorry your boy isn't well. Unfortunately feeding him pellets and veg isn't enough. Hay is the most important part of their diet - vegetables are like a snack and pellets are the least important thing in their diet (make up only 5% of it). I would start weighing daily at the same time and monitor his hay intake that way - you can't judge how much he is eating by eye. You are aiming to help him maintain his weight, so a minimum amount of 60ml in a 24 hour period is recommended for piggies not eating hay. They also need fibre to keep their guts going.

Uneven front teeth usually point to a problem with the molars. If possible, I would try and get him booked in at the Cat and Rabbit in Northampton. The two vets there are very experienced in treating dental guinea pigs and the piggies they treat are more often than not eating within hours of dental treatments. It's also done conscious.

I hope you can get an appointment with them. I believe you are best placed to call them at 8am. All the best and do let us know how you get on.
 
Hello, thank you for your feedback. As I said I do feed him lots of Timothy hay every day and I do see him eat it. He gets lots of fiberous vegetables every day. I believe I put my location as Cambridge and he only just went to the vet last week. His teeth have already been dealt with and his molars are cut down and front teeth have been cut as well. But thank you for your advice. I’m looking for advice for the long run.
 
niedzwiecka33@ said:
Hello, thank you for your feedback. As I said I do feed him lots of Timothy hay every day and I do see him eat it. He gets lots of fiberous vegetables every day. I believe I put my location as Cambridge and he only just went to the vet last week. His teeth have already been dealt with and his molars are cut down and front teeth have been cut as well. But thank you for your advice. I’m looking for advice for the long run.
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I saw you live in Cambridge, but people travel from all over the UK to go to the Cat and Rabbit Clinic. The fact you mention your guinea pig is drooling and appears to be in pain, would suggest that the teeth still require some work. I run a sanctuary for guinea pigs with ongoing dental issues and all of our guinea pigs eat completely normally, but do need some filing of their teeth, at varying intervals.
 
Long term advice is that he may need several more dentals in the coming months before he is (close to) sorted. We mentioned the C&R because a lot of members on here travel to them for their piggy dentals. Some have had their piggies treated elsewhere and had to take them to C&R to sort out issues. So please don't discount it.

As said, you can't judge hay intake by eye. Have you been weighing him regularly? Hay is more important than fibrous veg. It also helps to wear down the teeth. What veg do you feed him out of interest? I've just had a thought. Sometimes piggies who have issues with teeth are fed grass so you could try that as well. But you would need to get his tummy used to it first so would have to give small portions and build up the amount slowly.
 
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