Slanted Teeth?

[The3LittlePigs]

Do these front teeth look slanted to you?
I noticed they were unlevel not long ago but forgot, as I figured some had chipped off when he was yanking bars (a past time of his) and thought no more of it, but now they seem more slanted than uneven? Any ideas, advice?

 

[Wiebke]

Do these front teeth look slanted to you?
I noticed they were unlevel not long ago but forgot, as I figured some had chipped off when he was yanking bars (a past time of his) and thought no more of it, but now they seem more slanted than uneven? Any ideas, advice?

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Yes, please have him checked by a piggy dental savvy vet (which are much rarer than piggy savvy vets). It can be an overgrowing molar or a brewing dental abscess.
If you can get there, please have him seen at the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton. The vet there sees about 15 guinea pige with dental issues in a week and has by far the most experience with dealing with them.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

 

[The3LittlePigs]

Out of curiosity, how would that point towards an overgrown molar or absess?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

An overgrown molar could upset the balance of the mouth, which would result in the incisors becoming uneven. A dental or jaw abscess would cause pain, which would affect how the guinea pig eats. They would be more likely to favour one side of their mouth, which again would cause an unbalance to how the teeth were wearing.

 

[The3LittlePigs]

Thanks for the information. In going away for a few days Friday but I'm going to weigh him daily and keep an eye on him until then. How quickly could an issue like this progress to a severe degree? I think it might be that the lower tooth is still growing up the higher after its break, but I don't entirely remember if it was lower previously (should've taken a photo) however comparisons with other pictures gives me hope

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the information. In going away for a few days Friday but I'm going to weigh him daily and keep an eye on him until then. How quickly could an issue like this progress to a severe degree? I think it might be that the lower tooth is still growing up the higher after its break, but I don't entirely remember if it was lower previously (should've taken a photo) however comparisons with other pictures gives me hope

When an incisor has broken, there is a short phase where there is a slant as the two sets of incisors rebalance again sonce the top incisors have had only one tooth to grind against for a little bit. This should even out within 2-3 days provided the molars are fine, but if it doesn't or if the slant gets bigger, then there is something else wrong that causes your boy to chew unevenly.

Because the incisors are self-sharpening when griding against each other, any problem in the dental system is most visibly reflected in uneven, slanted or jagged incisors.

 

[The3LittlePigs]

Thank you. Its a shame about the timing but I'll try and find a way around it.

 

[Freela]

It's worth a vet check to look at the back teeth- generally problems start in the back before they are visible at all in the incisors. Does he have any difficulty eating- pulling his lips back when he chews or pawing at his mouth, for instance? That can also be a sign of overgrown molars. It's definitely worth having the vet took a look- at the back teeth. Simply clipping the front incisors to be even won't solve the problem, so make sure the vet has some experience with guinea pig teeth!

 

[The3LittlePigs]

He does paw at his mouth actually, but he's done this since he first came. He often sort of holds the food down, almost hamster-like in that respect. What would I actually need doing if his molars were overgrown? Would they just need cutting? How would I prevent it from happening continuously? I'm not sure how dental savvy my vets are and travelling typically isn't an option, so id like to go with as much knowledge personally as possible.

 

[eileen]

teeth will need checking regularly,weight him daily,ensure he is eating enough.typically pellets and hay are often the first food groups to stop,if having dental problems.I had a dental piggie last year, 1st vet wanted to put Jerry to sleep !He had a dental abcess,Jerry was seen in northampton,and had antibiotics for the abcess,molars were filed.he went every two weeks for a month,every 6 weeks there after for four months,when Jerry commenced eating on his own.I cannot stress how important it is to go to a vet thats is savvy with guinea pig teethHope your boy teeth wear evenly.

 

[The3LittlePigs]

I've rang the local vets and they've confirmed that they do dentals for pigs; the standard is obviously debatable, but they tend to be quite good. However, I wont be able to have it done until Monday at the earliest, since I'm going camping from Friday. No one will be able to weigh or monitor him closely until then either, but he will be fed & watered, ect. Do you think it would be worth me trying to take him on holiday with me? I'm worried he will deteriorate during that period and id never forgive myself if he did. Hes eating fine at the moment but who can say.