Tooth Spurs

[frankiethepiggie]

DISCLAIMER: This is a story about my Guinea pig that happened months ago and he is 100% recovered and I wanted to share to see if anyone could relate to this or inform about how this happens.

I wanted to share my experience with my old man pig (Frank, 5y 6mo) who a few months ago stopped eating. He started to not be able to hold a pellet in his mouth without dropping it and had a wet chin which indicated a problem with his teeth. Over time he stopped wanting to eat hay and even veggies which was terrifying. As soon as this happened I began syringe feeding critical care and rushed him to the vet. The vet technician called me and said they tried to look inside his mouth but were unable to while he was awake because he had a mouth full of critical care. This confused me. They had to put him under anesthesia to look inside his mouth and discovered spurs on his back teeth. They were curving down and cutting his tongue making it painful and swollen. The swelling of his tongue made it nearly impossible to swallow the critical care I was feeding him. I felt so terrible knowing I put him in more pain by trying to syringe feed him. Before this happened I had no idea that molar spurs could turn into this. He woke up fine from the procedure and I was prescribed metaclopramide to get his gut going again, baytril for any infection inside his mouth, and metacam to manage pain. He ended up making a full recovery and is now back to being. A healthy pig. He is so perky for his age. Anyway, this was months ago and I just wanted to share my experience. For anybody curious the vet bill ended up being almost $700. I had never heard any stories of the spurs cutting into the tongue, I have only heard of them curling outwards towards the face/cheek causing an abscess but there’s a first for everything.

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve never had to deal with teeth issues. But I’m pleased your piggy made a complete recovery. Such a relief for you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Great that your pighie made a full recovery x
I have had a dental piggie who had spurs. His spur grew the way, into his cheek. We experience very similar problems with being unable to eat and sore mouth. luckily we found a marvellous vet who performs conscious dentals as Ted needed dental every 6 weeks which sadly later became more often. He had a great quality of life and lived for a further 2.5 years and died of an unrelated issue just before his 6th birthday

 

[G+S]

DISCLAIMER: This is a story about my Guinea pig that happened months ago and he is 100% recovered and I wanted to share to see if anyone could relate to this or inform about how this happens.

I wanted to share my experience with my old man pig (Frank, 5y 6mo) who a few months ago stopped eating. He started to not be able to hold a pellet in his mouth without dropping it and had a wet chin which indicated a problem with his teeth. Over time he stopped wanting to eat hay and even veggies which was terrifying. As soon as this happened I began syringe feeding critical care and rushed him to the vet. The vet technician called me and said they tried to look inside his mouth but were unable to while he was awake because he had a mouth full of critical care. This confused me. They had to put him under anesthesia to look inside his mouth and discovered spurs on his back teeth. They were curving down and cutting his tongue making it painful and swollen. The swelling of his tongue made it nearly impossible to swallow the critical care I was feeding him. I felt so terrible knowing I put him in more pain by trying to syringe feed him. Before this happened I had no idea that molar spurs could turn into this. He woke up fine from the procedure and I was prescribed metaclopramide to get his gut going again, baytril for any infection inside his mouth, and metacam to manage pain. He ended up making a full recovery and is now back to being. A healthy pig. He is so perky for his age. Anyway, this was months ago and I just wanted to share my experience. For anybody curious the vet bill ended up being almost $700. I had never heard any stories of the spurs cutting into the tongue, I have only heard of them curling outwards towards the face/cheek causing an abscess but there’s a first for everything.

Hi,

This is very helpful information. After having all kinds of checks done for the last two weeks and GP not eating at all, our vet has suggested as a last resort that it could be spurs.

Can I ask you if the spurs were detected in an x ray or if your GP had to be put under to discover them?

Our GP twists her head and open her mouth as if in pain when we put any food in front of her mouth. Did you experience this behaviour too?

It would be so helpful to find out more.

Thanks!
Nicole

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hi,

This is very helpful information. After having all kinds of checks done for the last two weeks and GP not eating at all, our vet has suggested as a last resort that it could be spurs.

Can I ask you if the spurs were detected in an x ray or if your GP had to be put under to discover them?

Our GP twists her head and open her mouth as if in pain when we put any food in front of her mouth. Did you experience this behaviour too?

It would be so helpful to find out more.

Thanks!
Nicole

Nicole you need to tag @frankiethepiggie there I’ve done for you, hope you get some answers

 

[frankiethepiggie]

Hi,

This is very helpful information. After having all kinds of checks done for the last two weeks and GP not eating at all, our vet has suggested as a last resort that it could be spurs.

Can I ask you if the spurs were detected in an x ray or if your GP had to be put under to discover them?

Our GP twists her head and open her mouth as if in pain when we put any food in front of her mouth. Did you experience this behaviour too?

It would be so helpful to find out more.

Thanks!
Nicole

Hi, so sorry for the late response! I hope everything has resolved, how is she now? My pigs’ spurs were detected by X-ray. He then was put under to have them trimmed.