Piggy struggling to eat

[Emily Jemima]

Hi folks,
I have recently acquired a young pig who suffered a fractured jaw and has subsequently had her front teeth removed. She still has her back teeth which I have had checked by the vet. Her weight is fluctuating up and down around 535g but she is being syringe fed frequently throughout the day. She will eat a few bits of hay but I can't get her to eat any solid food. I have tried cutting it into long strips but she just spits it out. She is also still on meloxaide (pain relief) to make sure it's not pain stopping her from eating.
Any advice to get her eating indecently or anyone who has experienced this would be really helpful.
Thank you,
Emily

 

[Emily Jemima]

**independently!

 

[Siikibam]

I’ll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) @Wiebke @VickiA

Were the front teeth damaged hence the removal? How often are you syringe feeding and (roughly) how much is she taking each time?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Guinea pigs can learn to eat perfectly well, without front teeth, but it sounds like there is a back teeth issue going on here too! I see you are in the UK, but where about are you? It at all possible, I would suggest you get her seen by Simon or Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic, in Northampton. They are currently on annual leave, but will be back in the practice next Monday, 12th April.

 

[Wiebke]

I second that. The Maddocks are seeing guinea pigs with dental problems from all over the country, from as far as Cornwall and Edinburgh. They are by far the most experienced UK vets in this particular field.
Travelling for specialist medical care with a booked appointment is a valid reason.
Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic | Northlands Vets

 

[Emily Jemima]

Thanks for your reply! I'm in Devon, I'm currently training at vets so get reduced fees for treatment. The front teeth had to be removed due to trauma (probably dropped). I worry that she has gotten used to being syringed so will not try to eat herself. I'm currently feeding her 3-5 times a day with the emeraid food, roughly around 15 to 20mls a time depending on how much she will eat. She is very wriggle so the vet struggled to check her back teeth and I would worry about putting her under another anaesthetic as she's had 2 already and is only 6 months.

 

[Siikibam]

As above I would strongly suggest you try and get her booked in at Cat & Rabbit. They’re very experienced in treating dental piggies. It’s a long way but worth it.

 

[Emily Jemima]

As above I would strongly suggest you try and get her booked in at Cat & Rabbit. They’re very experienced in treating dental piggies. It’s a long way but worth it.

Okay thank you, I will have to look into it. Is there anything people can suggest to try to get her eating in the mean time?

 

[Siikibam]

Maybe try some fresh grass if you have access to some. A (small) handful a day to get her used to it.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I've spent the past 13 years, rehabilitaing guinea pigs with dental disease, and believe me, if they can eat for themselves, they will eat. I have yet to find a guinea pig who prefers syringe food and chooses not to eat for themselves, as long as they are being syringe fed. I've had guinea pigs, come to me, who haven't eaten for themselves for many months and in one case, for around 18 months. As soon as the crowns of the teeth were filed correctly, the guinea pig started to eat. Grass is ideal for guinea pigs with dental issues, as it wears the teeth, just as good as hay does but most can manage to eat it.

Simon and Kim Maddock can carry out dental work without the need for general anaesthetic and they have worked miracles with so many guinea pigs, who just haven't made any progress, prior to their visit to the practice.

 

[Emily Jemima]

I've spent the past 13 years, rehabilitaing guinea pigs with dental disease, and believe me, if they can eat for themselves, they will eat. I have yet to find a guinea pig who prefers syringe food and chooses not to eat for themselves, as long as they are being syringe fed. I've had guinea pigs, come to me, who haven't eaten for themselves for many months and in one case, for around 18 months. As soon as the crowns of the teeth were filed correctly, the guinea pig started to eat. Grass is ideal for guinea pigs with dental issues, as it wears the teeth, just as good as hay does but most can manage to eat it.

Simon and Kim Maddock can carry out dental work without the need for general anaesthetic and they have worked miracles with so many guinea pigs, who just haven't made any progress, prior to their visit to the practice.

Thank you for all the information it's really helpful. Is there a sort of range for the cost of these dental treatments?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Thank you for all the information it's really helpful. Is there a sort of range for the cost of these dental treatments?

The first appointment consists of a consult fee and the dental cost, but any subsequent appointments are charged at just the dental fee. The consult is £44 and the dental fee is £65. You would pay both, first time, but after that it is just £65. Obviously if any medications were needed, that would be on top.

 

[Wiebke]

Okay thank you, I will have to look into it. Is there anything people can suggest to try to get her eating in the mean time?

Keep on syringe feeding. Try to see whether your piggy will eat chopped grass or hay if you put it in her mouth or other soft, finely sliced veg, like herb or finely shredded lettuce. Try mushed up pellets or placing pellets in her mouth - if she struggles with them, then it would be an indicator that there are issues with the back teeth.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide (contains a chapter for dental piggies)

When the molars at the back are worn down as much as needed by the silica in fresh hay and grass, they can overgrow; it is usually the premolars with grow spurs that can trap the tongue. Guinea pig teeth have evolved against a grass/hay based diet and are some of the fastest growing rodent teeth.
The incisors are there to pick up and cut any food. With two painful and then lacking incisors, it can well be that your girl has got out of the habit of picking up harder foods like especially hay, which is the mainstay of the diet.

 

[Emily Jemima]

Thank you for everyones advice, she's been checked by another vet who has seen her molars on one side were becoming overgrown so she is having her dental on Monday. Maintaining the pain relief and the syringe feeding for the moment so fingers crossed all goes well.