Teeth And Eating Issues

[LaurenSeal23]

I'm really hoping someone can help with this. My little Bentley has been losing weight quickly over the last week or so. I thought it was because we had introduced a new pair of piggies and he was just acting up. Checked his teeth the other day and one was chipped and the other looked way to long. I rushed him to the vets and they said his teeth were definitely too long and it was trapping his tongue. They kept him in over night and trimmed them. Got him home today and he seemed very lively. He had also put on 20g since they weighed him the day before. I've just tried to feed him his greens and pepper and he's chewing but spitting it back out again. Doesn't look like he's managed to swallow anything! I'm now panicking that they've cut his teeth too short and he's not able to bring his teeth together to chew?! I did give him some critical care a couple of hours ago so he is getting some form of food. Is it a case of waiting a couple of days till he gets used to it or is there something more serious the vet missed?! Please help!

 

[Wiebke]

I'm really hoping someone can help with this. My little Bentley has been losing weight quickly over the last week or so. I thought it was because we had introduced a new pair of piggies and he was just acting up. Checked his teeth the other day and one was chipped and the other looked way to long. I rushed him to the vets and they said his teeth were definitely too long and it was trapping his tongue. They kept him in over night and trimmed them. Got him home today and he seemed very lively. He had also put on 20g since they weighed him the day before. I've just tried to feed him his greens and pepper and he's chewing but spitting it back out again. Doesn't look like he's managed to swallow anything! I'm now panicking that they've cut his teeth too short and he's not able to bring his teeth together to chew?! I did give him some critical care a couple of hours ago so he is getting some form of food. Is it a case of waiting a couple of days till he gets used to it or is there something more serious the vet missed?! Please help!

Please continue to syringe feed regularly; a health adult dental piggy needs about the equivalent of 120ml of syinge feed or grated veg to keep his weight. It is not unusual that guinea pigs don't eat straight away after dental treatment, but it is also a fact that many vets are not very experienced at dental care and that your boy may not be able to chew properly at the moment. Die your vet give you some metacam (painkiller)?
Our syringe feeding guide has got a section for dental guinea pigs: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

As we have members and enquiries from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county - in your case, it can be crucial in any further advice. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[LaurenSeal23]

Thanks for replying! I did think that maybe he was a little bit sore and wouldn't want to eat straight away. Is it best to keep syringe feeding him for the next couple of days and see if he suddenly gets his appetite back? I've read other threads and they say that maybe the molars are too long? I'm sure the vet said she checked when she put him under and they were fine. So now I'm panicking that maybe she didn't do them properly?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for replying! I did think that maybe he was a little bit sore and wouldn't want to eat straight away. Is it best to keep syringe feeding him for the next couple of days and see if he suddenly gets his appetite back? I've read other threads and they say that maybe the molars are too long? I'm sure the vet said she checked when she put him under and they were fine. So now I'm panicking that maybe she didn't do them properly?

It is impossible for us to make any comments without a proper vet examination. All we can do is guess and give you avenues to try and follow up.

Please continue to syringe feed as much and as long as necessary. That can vary from guinea pig to guinea pig. It depends on how sore the mouth is, how long there have been problems and how well the teeth fit again. It often takes more than just one round of filing to get the whole dental system fully and stably balanced again.

If problems persist, please try to have your piggy seen by the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton; it is well worth the trip! They are the most experienced with guinea pig dentals and see guinea pigs from all over the country. They are on holiday next week, but they will be back afterwards. The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home

 

[LaurenSeal23]

Hey! So just as an update. I've been getting Bentley to eat 10ml + of critical care along with mashed up pellets and sneaking mashed vegetables into his critical care. He's put on about 30g since the vet visit on Friday! Even though these signs seem to be good he still seems very depressed! Sits staring at the walls, doesn't run around when he has floor time etc. I suppose it's a case of not having the energy at the moment? I noticed his fur was very matted today.....is that usually a bad sign? I've taken the not eating solids as a sign his teeth are too short. He's definitely trying but just can't seem to bite through anything at the moment. Not sure if he needs another trip to the vets?

 

[Wiebke]

Hey! So just as an update. I've been getting Bentley to eat 10ml + of critical care along with mashed up pellets and sneaking mashed vegetables into his critical care. He's put on about 30g since the vet visit on Friday! Even though these signs seem to be good he still seems very depressed! Sits staring at the walls, doesn't run around when he has floor time etc. I suppose it's a case of not having the energy at the moment? I noticed his fur was very matted today.....is that usually a bad sign? I've taken the not eating solids as a sign his teeth are too short. He's definitely trying but just can't seem to bite through anything at the moment. Not sure if he needs another trip to the vets?

Matted fur and continuing apathy are not good signs. Have you got painkillers - it sounds like he could be in pain? Please make sure that if he is stationary to change the bedding regularly.

Please have your piggy checked ideally by a piggy savvy vet; we have got a recommended UK vet locator on the top bar. See if there is a pain issue and if he needs gut stimulants like emeprid/metoclopramide and zantac (they work on different parts of the digestive system).
Sadly, Simon Maddock in Northampton is on holiday this week, but I would strongly recommend to book an appointment with him for his return; if anybody can right the teeth, then it is him! The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home

Please continue to syringe feed and also make sure that you offer him as much as water as he will take.

 

[LaurenSeal23]

So I managed to get a vet appointment this afternoon with the piggie expert at my local vets (she's always booked out when I try and book). She straight away said pain could be a huge part of Bentleys problem. She's given me some pain relief for him and some guy stimulant! She also checked his teeth again and said there's definitely no Spurs and nothing's sore - the previous vet had done a good job. Got Bentley home, given him his first dose of each medication and he seems like a different pig! Ran around on the floor for a bit, ate way more of the critical care (even managed to sneak in some mashed up carrot) than usual and started squeaking again! Thanks so much for your help and advice!

 

[LaurenSeal23]

Hi! So Bentley has brightened up but still not eating solids! The vet has done X-Ray's and nothing is out of sorts. She said to carry on with wet foods but try making it chunkier every couple of days. Obviously trying to feed him critical care 2/3 times a day to keep his strength up is just getting ridiculously expensive. I've read around and some forums say you can mix in baby food to make it last longer? Is this possible if I feed him organic vegetable ones? Can they have fruit ones too (like apple and banana)? Also; should it be powdered or can it be straight from a jar?

 

[Beans&Toast]

I've never heard of the baby food thing.
I wouldn't as they are so high in sugar and many contain milk and piggies cannot have dairy.
You can use mashed up pellets also, much cheaper than the critical care.
I would stick with feeding mushed pellets/CC/ and mushed veg if possible until he can eat for himself again

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I mush up normal nuggets, which is cheaper and they generally prefer them. Just put some guinea pig nuggets into a cup, add boiling water and allow to cool. You can then add more water if needed to get consistency right.

I strongly recommend you get an appointment with Simon or Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton. They will definitely be able to get to he bottom of what is going on and why your piggy is unable to eat.

 

[LaurenSeal23]

I've tried the pellets today and he does not seem interested at all! I think he's got a taste for critical care now! I'm looking online to see i can get it cheaper as my vet charges £20 a sachet! Is there's real difference between the fine grind and critical care for herbivores? I've only ever been given fine grind. I presume this is more suitable for piggies.....I'm definitely going to look into going to the cat and rabbit care clinic! There has to be an answer!