Dental Potential Dental Issue

[Little Ones]

Aw, it sounds like his incisors. He can’t cut the hay or grip the veggies to get into his back teeth. Ted has had this problem after two bottom incisors must have broken off sometime round when he had his last dental. They have grown back now lovely. Can you help him by sticking little stalks into his mouth just behind his incisors. He should be able to guide the food into the back of his mouth then hopefully. Sometimes I cut lengths of hay to about an inch long for Ted as he had struggled on occasion sometimes to cut through it too, especially those straw type bit which he actually quite likes.

I’ve been breaking up veg and herbs into really small piece so that he can just get it into his mouth without having to bite/tear at all. Bless him, he looked so sad as Peanut was scoffing everything and he was struggling and having to wait for me to tear and hand everything to him. I didn’t think about cutting up the hay though, I’ll give it a go, thank you I’ve just been piling hay in the cage rather than using hay bags so he’s been far more inclined to eat it, even though he’s not eating as much as normal, he’s eating enough that I’m not as worried as before. I just have to make sure I’m giving him a lot of water every few hours.

When were you due to see Ellie again? I’ve just seen this on Facebook! View attachment 136524

Thank you for letting me know! She hadn’t actually mentioned anything about follow up appointments so we were just going to take it day by day and only book a follow up if it seemed necessary. But since the teeth still aren’t great, I think I’d only feel right if I took him to see Simon so that they got done properly and I didn’t have to worry.
When we went Friday, we travelled for about 5 hours in total as we had to drive to Matlock to drop Little off then drive back to Barnsley, then did the same journey again to pick him up. So really, it would’ve taken only slightly longer to get to Northampton and back. I don’t doubt that Ellie knows what she’s doing, but I just wouldn’t want to chance it again if it came to it, especially if there isn’t much between the journey length of each.

 

[Little Ones]

I’m pleased to report that Little is doing better. He still can’t eat veg but yesterday evening managed to eat parsley which he couldn’t before and so I’m breaking up all the other veg into tiny pieces that he can easily get into his mouth without any biting or pulling. He’s drinking a little more too, but still not as much as he should be and is happily taking water from a syringe. I’ve slowly reduced the readigrass and today I’m not giving any so we’ll see how that goes, he’s actively eating the hay though which is a good sign. It seems like his problem is now incisor based but the back teeth are still being worn down with grass/readigrass/hay so fingers crossed we aren’t still looking at a back teeth issue once the incisors have grown because of that. His poos, as of yesterday, are fully formed now too, they’re a little wet, but they look as they should. I went from being extremely worried and concerned, to being quite relieved rather quickly, he’s going at his own pace but he’s made leaps and bounds from not eating hay at all to then suddenly trying to and slowly succeeding. I think as his incisors are getting slightly longer day by day, things are getting easier for him.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, that’s great news, keep the munching up Little x

 

[Little Ones]

Little is now able to eat a little better, he’s a lot faster and can eat a cucumber in very small bites without help now. He’s also hydrated too and not needing water syringed as he’s drinking for himself. He appears to be eating hay well. The only thing I’m worrying about is that he has a wet chin, it started yesterday I believe. I’m not sure if this is happening from him drinking? He would usually use a sippy bottle but is only currently drinking from a regular bottle, but I’ve never known him to have a wet chin when using these in the past. Would kind of issue would a wet chin indicate? He seems to be improving aside from that.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Little is now able to eat a little better, he’s a lot faster and can eat a cucumber in very small bites without help now. He’s also hydrated too and not needing water syringed as he’s drinking for himself. He appears to be eating hay well. The only thing I’m worrying about is that he has a wet chin, it started yesterday I believe. I’m not sure if this is happening from him drinking? He would usually use a sippy bottle but is only currently drinking from a regular bottle, but I’ve never known him to have a wet chin when using these in the past. Would kind of issue would a wet chin indicate? He seems to be improving aside from that.

I tend to find the wet chin starts when the incisors get too long!

 

[Little Ones]

I tend to find the wet chin starts when the incisors get too long!

I can’t see Little’s incisors as a whole being too long as the issue we’ve been dealing with is that they were too short to bite/pick up food. But, I do feel like his bottom incisors are too long, and his top are too short - especially for Little as his previously functioning top incisors were definitely longer than they are now. Is the only way for this to be rectified is if they are burred down? Do I only consider going to see Simon if it begins to affect his eating?

Edit, just gave him a quick chin rub and he’s definitely drooling out of the right side of his mouth

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I can’t see Little’s incisors as a whole being too long as the issue we’ve been dealing with is that they were too short to bite/pick up food. But, I do feel like his bottom incisors are too long, and his top are too short - especially for Little as his previously functioning top incisors were definitely longer than they are now. Is the only way for this to be rectified is if they are burred down? Do I only consider going to see Simon if it begins to affect his eating?

It might be worth seeing how he is in a couple of days, but generally when the drooling starts, it just gets worse and it is likely to then affect eating, causing the back teeth to go wrong. Could it be he is wet from drinking, rather than drooling?

 

[Little Ones]

It might be worth seeing how he is in a couple of days, but generally when the drooling starts, it just gets worse and it is likely to then affect eating, causing the back teeth to go wrong. Could it be he is wet from drinking, rather than drooling?

Right, okay, thank you. I had thought it could be water from the bottle, but I haven’t heard any one drinking for a little while and he has like a trail of wet going down his chin, the closer to the mouth the more wet it feels, if that makes sense? But I had considered the possibility of it being water. I’ll keep my eye on him for a day or two, as you said. If nothing changes then I’ll have to try and start figuring out transportation to Northampton.

 

[Little Ones]

It might be worth seeing how he is in a couple of days, but generally when the drooling starts, it just gets worse and it is likely to then affect eating, causing the back teeth to go wrong. Could it be he is wet from drinking, rather than drooling?

I’d just like to add that you’ve been such a big help to me regarding both Little and Peanut, I can’t thank you enough

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’d just like to add that you’ve been such a big help to me regarding both Little and Peanut, I can’t thank you enough

We are all here for one another, which is why this forum is such a great place to be x

 

[Little Ones]

So thankfully he doesn’t have a wet chin at all now. Not sure if it was from water or saliva but it happened for 2/3 days and then seems to have just stopped. He’s eating okay and drinking okay to my knowledge, too.
However, I noticed something interesting a few days ago which was a very slight head tilt. My mum said she couldn’t tell so I didn’t know if I was just overanalysing, but today during floortime when I pointed it out, she said she could see it too.

The reason why I say it’s interesting, is that he went blind in his right eye about a month ago, his dental problem with his back teeth was also on his right side, and now his head is tilting slightly towards his right side. His lump (which we think is a sebaceous cyst) though is on his left side. But, things that affect function (eye, teeth, ear) all seem to be on one side?
Does this warrant a vet trip? Or is this something that is normal? As I’ve said previously, getting to an exotic vet for me is going to be near to very difficult as I don’t drive and there isn’t a straight-through bus to the exotic vets that are around me (they’re still around an hours drive). I feel like id be scared to take him to a regular vet as most places aren’t allowing owners in and so I wouldn’t be able to control what happens - such as if they think putting oil in the ear is a good thing when really it isn’t at all (from what I’ve read). Anyway, not really sure what to do?
I know we also don’t home treat usually but we’re in difficult circumstances right now, I have a fair amount of medicine that was tried for Peanut and his squeaky wees, is there anything I could give him to help as a precaution? He isn’t scratching his ear or doing anything else that could make me suspect ear infection though. It’s scary to say, but with everything else, does it seem like there’s something neurological going on?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Keep a close eye on him. Where about is the lump? xx

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

The tilt may be due to the blindness and nothing more sinister!

 

[Little Ones]

Keep a close eye on him. Where about is the lump? xx

The lump sits on the skin just behind his left shoulder area. It’s not getting any bigger, and feels slightly squishy. I’ll attach photos of how big it is and the area so it’s more clear.

The tilt may be due to the blindness and nothing more sinister!

You might be right on that then. I didn’t realise a tilt could come with blindness! It’s just slight enough to notice unlike a lot of the head tilts I’ve seen.

 

[Little Ones]

I just want to update where Little is regarding everything.
He can bite down a little, but not a lot so he’s struggling still with vegetables and kale unless it is broken up really small and thin. He’s still eating hay but I’ve noticed he’s becoming a bit more selective on which strands to eat. The bottom left incisors which was previously longer than the rest of his teeth has now become longer again than the rest, this happened about a week or two ago, so i know it will just be a matter of time until he stops eating hay as I think it is an indicator of the problem with his back teeth on the right hand side. I’m hoping we can just bide our time until finding transport to Northampton becomes easier and more doable, but we will be seeing Simon at some point.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I just want to update where Little is regarding everything.
He can bite down a little, but not a lot so he’s struggling still with vegetables and kale unless it is broken up really small and thin. He’s still eating hay but I’ve noticed he’s becoming a bit more selective on which strands to eat. The bottom left incisors which was previously longer than the rest of his teeth has now become longer again than the rest, this happened about a week or two ago, so i know it will just be a matter of time until he stops eating hay as I think it is an indicator of the problem with his back teeth on the right hand side. I’m hoping we can just bide our time until finding transport to Northampton becomes easier and more doable, but we will be seeing Simon at some point.

I’m in same same position. I have an appointment booked but it’s getting up to Northampton that’s concerning me, I don’t want to be fined and sent back home, or worse “silly woman drives 300 mile for sick guinea pig” in big headlines! Ted’s doing ok atm but it’s how long can he last without a dental? giving me sleepless nights if I think about it too much.
Hopefully you and I and many others can get there soon. Hope Little continues ok till then x

 

[Little Ones]

I’m in same same position. I have an appointment booked but it’s getting up to Northampton that’s concerning me, I don’t want to be fined and sent back home, or worse “silly woman drives 300 mile for sick guinea pig” in big headlines! Ted’s doing ok atm but it’s how long can he last without a dental? giving me sleepless nights if I think about it too much.
Hopefully you and I and many others can get there soon. Hope Little continues ok till then x

I know, it’s awful. I’d have to get a lift there from a family member of a different household which I shouldn’t really do. Nothing about this is easy. If it were a dog, there wouldn’t be fears of being stopped for travelling but because it’s a guinea pig, it’s different. Most people don’t even think guinea pigs require veterinary treatment to start with.
Hope Ted carries on okay, try not to worry too much. I thought about asking the receptionist to ask if Simon can draft a letter stating that the guinea pig needs the medical care we’re travelling for in order to survive and to deny it would be an act of cruelty, just in case we get stopped from travelling. It’s scary because once they can’t eat for themselves, you have to act fast, only now there’s added obstacles. Fingers crossed everything will be okay for both of us and our pigs.

 

[Bill & Ted]

yes, fingers crossed we both get there x

 

[Little Ones]

Feeling very down today... Little has more or less stopped eating hay altogether he will still eat readigrass, grass and porridge oats but he’s not eating as much as he should be. I’m just really worrying about getting him to see Simon, as it stands right now everyone I’ve asked to drive us there have said no. I know it would be breaking the rules, but there’s nothing else I can do. I’ve looked for trains but right now they all seem to take about 8 hours just to get to Northampton, never mind back again. I know Simon isn’t back anyway until the 20th, and by then I think Little will be in dire need of receiving his dental treatment. I’ve just been very teary over it today as it seems like he won’t be able to get the treatment at all. He also despises syringes unless they’re filled with water, giving him his loxicom is a battle everyday so I know when it comes down to syringe feeding food it will be next to impossible. It doesn’t help that I’m rubbish at it, either.
Anyway, that’s all I have to say, so not very good news. I’m hoping someone gets back to me with a change of heart at some point but it doesn’t seem likely.

 

[Little Ones]

Update
We are off to see Simon!
We are hoping to get an appointment tomorrow, to get our first train at 10 and arrive just before 2. Here’s hoping they can squeeze us in, if not then we’ll go either Wednesday or Friday.
Little isn’t really doing well. He isn’t able to get his poos out, they’re not formed and are just clumping together and he’s struggling so we’re having to help him every few hours. We think it’s from all the grass he’s been eating which has been unavoidable as he won’t eat anything else aside from a bit of readigrass. He also hasn’t been eating the grass very well this afternoon and evening, I think it’s because it’s causing his poo problems so it may be making his tummy hurt. He just sleeps most of the time anyway, it’s only very rare that we see him sleep laying down. We can’t wait any longer, it would just be cruel. So we’re going as soon as we can possibly get.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Update
We are off to see Simon!
We are hoping to get an appointment tomorrow, to get our first train at 10 and arrive just before 2. Here’s hoping they can squeeze us in, if not then we’ll go either Wednesday or Friday.
Little isn’t really doing well. He isn’t able to get his poos out, they’re not formed and are just clumping together and he’s struggling so we’re having to help him every few hours. We think it’s from all the grass he’s been eating which has been unavoidable as he won’t eat anything else aside from a bit of readigrass. He also hasn’t been eating the grass very well this afternoon and evening, I think it’s because it’s causing his poo problems so it may be making his tummy hurt. He just sleeps most of the time anyway, it’s only very rare that we see him sleep laying down. We can’t wait any longer, it would just be cruel. So we’re going as soon as we can possibly get.

Aw, just caught up with Little’s thread, sorry this last week has been a blur! Are you going to call them first thing to get an appointment before you set off. Hope you get him sorted, poor lad! Ted has had clumpy poos since he stopped eating hay about three weeks ago. His poos been the consistency of toothpaste and he needs help sometimes to expel it. It’s not been bad this week as he is only eating Critical Care so very small amount and a lot firmer as not eating veggies and getting some fibre.
Finger crossed for you tomorrow x

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Ring at 8 tomorrow and hopefully you’ll get an appointment xx

 

[Little Ones]

Aw, just caught up with Little’s thread, sorry this last week has been a blur! Are you going to call them first thing to get an appointment before you set off. Hope you get him sorted, poor lad! Ted has had clumpy poos since he stopped eating hay about three weeks ago. His poos been the consistency of toothpaste and he needs help sometimes to expel it. It’s not been bad this week as he is only eating Critical Care so very small amount and a lot firmer as not eating veggies and getting some fibre.
Finger crossed for you tomorrow x

Yes we’re going to give them a call as soon as they open. We can pretty much go any day this week but want to get him sorted as soon as. I’m such a worrier when it comes to the pigs so everyday I’m scared I’m going to find him dead. He can’t carry on the way he is, it’ll be an 11 hour day when we do go so I’m hoping he manages out of his cage that long. Little’s poos are just as awful, they stink horrible. I got out a massive nasty clump of poo earlier, put it down beside him and then he went and ate it! It was vile but there must’ve been some goodness in it somewhere for him to do that.
Glad Ted is doing a little better, I bet you’re exhausted with the syringe feeding. Little wont take critical care from us at all, I also find syringe feeding a nightmare. I’m not good with my hands and I’m just so clumsy too that I can’t do it at the best of times, never mind when he’s causing a scene whenever a syringe that doesn’t have water in goes near him. I hope Ted continues to be okay, and that his incisors grow fast!

Ring at 8 tomorrow and hopefully you’ll get an appointment xx

Yep, we will. I hope we manage to, i just want him seen as soon as. I was hoping we’d be able to last until lockdown was over but he’s slowly getting worse. He won’t even come out of his bed again unless I physically move him out of it. Simon will sort him out, I know he will

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, good luck for today, hope you get an appointment and get him sorted. These smelly soft poos are probably because he’s not eating enough fibre and the gut bacteria has gone unbalanced. Simon removed some from Ted last time we went as I was concerned he had a tummy bug or something and he said it was just the lack of fibre making everything a bit off. You can mention it too him.
Wishing you all a safe journey x

 

[rhymer]

Firmly crossed fingers. Hope you get him sorted and have a safe journey.xx

 

[Little Ones]

It’s been a long day, set off before half 9 and arrived at 2.
It’s a lot worse than we thought really. Little has a jaw abscess and so his left incisors is infected and loose. We had hoped we’d be on the train at half 3 back home but now Little is having an operation as Simon is going to fit him in around everything as we’ve travelled so far. We’re looking at it taking 3-4 hours so we don’t really know what to do now. We’re just sat in a park, trying to figure out where we can get some food as didn’t prepare for this at all. We’ll be on a train home after 7 it seems like. Hopefully Little does okay under his anaesthetic

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

It’s been a long day, set off before half 9 and arrived at 2.
It’s a lot worse than we thought really. Little has a jaw abscess and so his left incisors is infected and loose. We had hoped we’d be on the train at half 3 back home but now Little is having an operation as Simon is going to fit him in around everything as we’ve travelled so far. We’re looking at it taking 3-4 hours so we don’t really know what to do now. We’re just sat in a park, trying to figure out where we can get some food as didn’t prepare for this at all. We’ll be on a train home after 7 it seems like. Hopefully Little does okay under his anaesthetic

Oh no! If it wasn't for restrictions, I would come and pick you up and bring you round here! He's in the safest hands with Simon, but not what you were expecting! xx

 

[Little Ones]

Oh no! If it wasn't for restrictions, I would come and pick you up and bring you round here! He's in the safest hands with Simon, but not what you were expecting! xx

That’s very nice of you to say, it would’ve been nice to meet you! Definitely not what we thought but it is what it is. The downside is that we are stuck outside without anywhere to go for a wee and depending on when we eventually do get the train, it may not be very easy to get home as our final train finishes at half 9 and we think we’ll get there at half 10. We’ll figure it out though, I just hope Simon is ready to hand over Little sooner than he said. We’re really glad we came though, Little must’ve been in some right pain. Simon doesn’t know if his bottom left incisor will ever grow back once it’s removed so we could be making regular trips here to get his top one filed down every so often! I’m so glad Simon offered to do the operation now, he had to fit it around everything. He’s amazing.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’m actually sat outside the vets. Have three booked in this afternoon xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

It’s been a long day, set off before half 9 and arrived at 2.
It’s a lot worse than we thought really. Little has a jaw abscess and so his left incisors is infected and loose. We had hoped we’d be on the train at half 3 back home but now Little is having an operation as Simon is going to fit him in around everything as we’ve travelled so far. We’re looking at it taking 3-4 hours so we don’t really know what to do now. We’re just sat in a park, trying to figure out where we can get some food as didn’t prepare for this at all. We’ll be on a train home after 7 it seems like. Hopefully Little does okay under his anaesthetic

Aw no, poor Little, there is a M&S food hall and petrol station just round the corner from Simon’s that you can get coffee and sandwiches, sausage rolls etc. Can you google it on your phone. Hope he’s alright and you can get off home ASAP x