FAO People who keep rabbits...
14 May 2004, 01:02 PM
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FAO People who keep rabbits...
Well i took my 10mth old mini-lop to the vet today as he's not himself, very aggressive etc. And aswell as having a mite infestation
he's got severe teeth problems
both front and back. So the vet has suggested seeing how he goes and go back and have them filed down under anaesthetic. I have had rabbits have this sort of operation before and they have all but one died soon after having it done because of the shock i think. The one that survived the operation died 3months later as the teeth grew back just as bad.
Has anyone else had this problem and had a successful outcome? I thought a few of you might have kids who keep rabbits and so have come across this before. I'm worried about the teeth roots growing up into eye area and affecting the tear ducts. The vets bills could be horrendous!!!
Also i think he was born with this problem as what i have read indicates this. I don't think just eating hay and chewing wood is going to cure him now
I think Mice_Elf keeps rabbits-any advice?
Thanks
he's got severe teeth problems both front and back. So the vet has suggested seeing how he goes and go back and have them filed down under anaesthetic. I have had rabbits have this sort of operation before and they have all but one died soon after having it done because of the shock i think. The one that survived the operation died 3months later as the teeth grew back just as bad. Has anyone else had this problem and had a successful outcome? I thought a few of you might have kids who keep rabbits and so have come across this before. I'm worried about the teeth roots growing up into eye area and affecting the tear ducts. The vets bills could be horrendous!!!
Also i think he was born with this problem as what i have read indicates this. I don't think just eating hay and chewing wood is going to cure him now
I think Mice_Elf keeps rabbits-any advice?
Thanks
14 May 2004, 01:34 PM
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Its very sad as he is a very loved pet There is no way we are going to let him suffer or go downhill as I just wont let him be in any sort of pain long term. He is a real character as anyone who keeps house rabbits will know - they are massively different in behaviour and attitude, playfullness and friendliness to any rabbit kept in a hutch outdoors. He is just like having a small dog.
The fact he will need treatment now for the rest of his life, and what could be potentially painful treatment and very costly treatment i'm not sure putting him through that is the kindest thing for him. Anaesthetic every 3 weeks to have his teeth filed. Thats not going to make a happy and friendly animal - just a miserable one He already attacks me now when he never used, just proves that he is in discomfort and irritable now.
Are there any vets on here? We really want advise at to whats best when a rabbit has to go through this sort of problem. Obviously the family vet has been consulted but I wasn't there to ask questions and would also like a second opinion.
We also have another rabbit and dont want him going down the same route.
We ONLY want useful advise and comments - anyone who comes here and trolls will be reported to the moderators and a request made that their post be deleted immediately.
There is no way we are going to let him suffer or go downhill as I just wont let him be in any sort of pain long term. He is a real character as anyone who keeps house rabbits will know - they are massively different in behaviour and attitude, playfullness and friendliness to any rabbit kept in a hutch outdoors. He is just like having a small dog.The fact he will need treatment now for the rest of his life, and what could be potentially painful treatment and very costly treatment i'm not sure putting him through that is the kindest thing for him. Anaesthetic every 3 weeks to have his teeth filed. Thats not going to make a happy and friendly animal - just a miserable one
He already attacks me now when he never used, just proves that he is in discomfort and irritable now.Are there any vets on here? We really want advise at to whats best when a rabbit has to go through this sort of problem. Obviously the family vet has been consulted but I wasn't there to ask questions and would also like a second opinion.
We also have another rabbit and dont want him going down the same route.
We ONLY want useful advise and comments - anyone who comes here and trolls will be reported to the moderators and a request made that their post be deleted immediately.
14 May 2004, 01:47 PM
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I *believe* that you can chop rabbit's teeth. They have a significant portion above the nerve and a qualified vet can just lop off the top, rather than going under anaesthetic.
What sorts of food are you giving your rabbit? If you can get him really crunchy stuff, with salt lick and anything else to grind his teeth on, this will help to keep them down.
Usually rabbit's teeth take care of themselves, but it is very sad that yours are growing too much. It's normally a sign of inbreeding I think.
I've had rabbits under anaesthetic and not one of them has died. 2 of my males have just had "the op" and obviously they were under and are both fine. One is now 9 months and 1 4 months old.
Previously my other rabbits have also had the same op and lived rich healthy lives - one even lived to 9, after having the op at 4 months old.
Maybe if your rabbits are dying afterwards that the vet is giving them too big a dose of anaesthetic or not caring for them properly afterwards....? Might be an idea to look at changing your vets.
What sorts of food are you giving your rabbit? If you can get him really crunchy stuff, with salt lick and anything else to grind his teeth on, this will help to keep them down.
Usually rabbit's teeth take care of themselves, but it is very sad that yours are growing too much. It's normally a sign of inbreeding I think.
I've had rabbits under anaesthetic and not one of them has died. 2 of my males have just had "the op" and obviously they were under and are both fine. One is now 9 months and 1 4 months old.
Previously my other rabbits have also had the same op and lived rich healthy lives - one even lived to 9, after having the op at 4 months old.
Maybe if your rabbits are dying afterwards that the vet is giving them too big a dose of anaesthetic or not caring for them properly afterwards....? Might be an idea to look at changing your vets.
14 May 2004, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Mice_Elf
I *believe* that you can chop rabbit's teeth. They have a significant portion above the nerve and a qualified vet can just lop off the top, rather than going under anaesthetic.
What sorts of food are you giving your rabbit? If you can get him really crunchy stuff, with salt lick and anything else to grind his teeth on, this will help to keep them down.
Usually rabbit's teeth take care of themselves, but it is very sad that yours are growing too much. It's normally a sign of inbreeding I think.
I've had rabbits under anaesthetic and not one of them has died. 2 of my males have just had "the op" and obviously they were under and are both fine. One is now 9 months and 1 4 months old.
Previously my other rabbits have also had the same op and lived rich healthy lives - one even lived to 9, after having the op at 4 months old.
Maybe if your rabbits are dying afterwards that the vet is giving them too big a dose of anaesthetic or not caring for them properly afterwards....? Might be an idea to look at changing your vets.
What sorts of food are you giving your rabbit? If you can get him really crunchy stuff, with salt lick and anything else to grind his teeth on, this will help to keep them down.
Usually rabbit's teeth take care of themselves, but it is very sad that yours are growing too much. It's normally a sign of inbreeding I think.
I've had rabbits under anaesthetic and not one of them has died. 2 of my males have just had "the op" and obviously they were under and are both fine. One is now 9 months and 1 4 months old.
Previously my other rabbits have also had the same op and lived rich healthy lives - one even lived to 9, after having the op at 4 months old.
Maybe if your rabbits are dying afterwards that the vet is giving them too big a dose of anaesthetic or not caring for them properly afterwards....? Might be an idea to look at changing your vets.
No it wasn't the vets-we moved around alot so they always saw different ones. This rabbit has had anaesthetic already and he was fine....i'm going to give him and chance and have the op done but long term, its going to be impossible for me to keep taking him for this to be done every 3-4weeks. Is it apple wood that they can chew do you know?
14 May 2004, 01:58 PM
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Mice thanks for the reply.
Firstly, Dougal has had the chop and was fine. I don't think its the anaesthetic thats the problem, but the shock of the treatment after they wake up. Apparently having their teeth filed is something that upsets them a great deal. Secondly, W69 now lives with me and is using my family vet who we have used for over 25 years and are the best in Tunbridge Wells. The rabbits who W69 used to have are all prior to being with me and the vet used then is a very long way away.
Both Dougal and Dillon are fed dry food and hay but Dougal is now leaving half of his food due to his teeth problems. Apparently this condition can be hereditary so I am going to talk to the owner of the place we got our two from to let him know the problem.
Firstly, Dougal has had the chop and was fine. I don't think its the anaesthetic thats the problem, but the shock of the treatment after they wake up. Apparently having their teeth filed is something that upsets them a great deal. Secondly, W69 now lives with me and is using my family vet who we have used for over 25 years and are the best in Tunbridge Wells. The rabbits who W69 used to have are all prior to being with me and the vet used then is a very long way away.
Both Dougal and Dillon are fed dry food and hay but Dougal is now leaving half of his food due to his teeth problems. Apparently this condition can be hereditary so I am going to talk to the owner of the place we got our two from to let him know the problem.
14 May 2004, 02:07 PM
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Found here : http://www.allearssac.org/medical.html
"Teeth
Rabbits' teeth can be misaligned. This condition is known as malocclusion, which means that a rabbit's constantly-growing teeth are not wearing down properly. If the misalignment is bad, the teeth will need to be clipped periodically so that the rabbit can eat. Your veterinarian can do this for you, or can show you how to do it at home. Usually malocclusion just strikes the front teeth, but occasionally, the back teeth can also be misaligned. One indication of this is a wet chin that is caused by drooling. If this is the case, your rabbit will need his molars trimmed by a veterinarian on a regular basis."
"Teeth
Rabbits' teeth can be misaligned. This condition is known as malocclusion, which means that a rabbit's constantly-growing teeth are not wearing down properly. If the misalignment is bad, the teeth will need to be clipped periodically so that the rabbit can eat. Your veterinarian can do this for you, or can show you how to do it at home. Usually malocclusion just strikes the front teeth, but occasionally, the back teeth can also be misaligned. One indication of this is a wet chin that is caused by drooling. If this is the case, your rabbit will need his molars trimmed by a veterinarian on a regular basis."
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14 May 2004, 02:12 PM
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Weapon69 - Wood is good for rabbits to chew on - I generally throw fallen branches off ours into the run and they will happily gnaw it down to a match. 
I'll keep looking, but probably the best way to calm Dougal & Dillon is to lay them on their back in your arms. This sends them into an almost hypnotic state, as I'm sure you know. If they're happy being that way, get them used to being touched around the mouth, but without doing anything - this will help if you decide to clip the teeth at home.
You can get animal chews from good pet centres so it's probably worth investing in a lot of those.
I'll keep looking, but probably the best way to calm Dougal & Dillon is to lay them on their back in your arms. This sends them into an almost hypnotic state, as I'm sure you know. If they're happy being that way, get them used to being touched around the mouth, but without doing anything - this will help if you decide to clip the teeth at home.
You can get animal chews from good pet centres so it's probably worth investing in a lot of those.
14 May 2004, 02:14 PM
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Thanks Mice
I've already seen that site and a few hundred others looking for advice lol...the vet i saw seems to think that having the back teeth filed automatically means having general anesthetic? Personally i'm convinced he was born with this problem. V sad though
p.s how are the baby rabbits you were feeding?
I've already seen that site and a few hundred others looking for advice lol...the vet i saw seems to think that having the back teeth filed automatically means having general anesthetic? Personally i'm convinced he was born with this problem. V sad though
p.s how are the baby rabbits you were feeding?
14 May 2004, 02:16 PM
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This sends them into an almost hypnotic state, as I'm sure you know.
Its the only way i get a decent look at his teeth-grumpy little git
14 May 2004, 02:19 PM
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LMAO at hypnotic. He doesn't mind W69 too much holding him in her arms like that, if I do it he goes friggin ape**** lol and gives me the biggest grin you have ever seen - unfortunately he isnt smiling but showing me how big his teeth are and what sort of pain im about to experience 
He doesn't like me very much lol
He doesn't like me very much lol
14 May 2004, 02:19 PM
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Poor thing. Probably the best option then is to have them clipped / filed and then keep lots of wooden pet toys around for him to chew. Hay and carrots will be good as well, to keep the molars down.
I'll keep searching to see what else I can find..
Unfortunately the baby rabbits died. They seemed to catch an infection as they went downhill very quickly.
We buried them in the garden and planted fruit trees over them.
14 May 2004, 02:28 PM
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You could try putting a breeze block in with him as well - chinchillas love chewing on these and it keeps their teeth filed nicely. Not sure it helps with the back ones, but if he can at least get food into his mouth, the grinding of it may help with the back teeth.
14 May 2004, 02:58 PM
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=nods= Strange as it may sound. If you look in chinchilla's cages in pet shops you'll see a very rounded breeze block as they constantly chew on these. Honestly, I'm not going mad!
If you look in chinchilla's cages in pet shops you'll see a very rounded breeze block as they constantly chew on these. Honestly, I'm not going mad!
14 May 2004, 03:19 PM
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I know it may sound wierd but burnt toast especially the crusts helps. I had a rabbit that lived to the age of 10 years old and he had toast every morning, he never had a problem with his teeth (it was a vet that advised us on this)
14 May 2004, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by scoobybitch
I know it may sound wierd but burnt toast especially the crusts helps. I had a rabbit that lived to the age of 10 years old and he had toast every morning, he never had a problem with his teeth (it was a vet that advised us on this)
14 May 2004, 03:41 PM
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Our's has just had a mite infestation, looked like he had really bad dandruff and his fur was falling out. This was easily sorted with 3 jabs 2 weeks apart.
We also put fallen branches into his run for him to chew on. Apple seems to ba a favourite. If you have an apple tree and dont mind pruning it regularly, ours loves a small length (15cms) of fairly thin branch including leaves, he eats the leaves and the branch.
We also put fallen branches into his run for him to chew on. Apple seems to ba a favourite. If you have an apple tree and dont mind pruning it regularly, ours loves a small length (15cms) of fairly thin branch including leaves, he eats the leaves and the branch.
14 May 2004, 04:25 PM
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I dont mind the toast but what I object to is having to put jam and butter on it and make him a cup of coffee every morning
No apple tress where we live, we're in the middle of a town. When I am out looking for the breeze block i'll ave to have a check for orchards as well
No apple tress where we live, we're in the middle of a town. When I am out looking for the breeze block i'll ave to have a check for orchards as well
14 May 2004, 04:43 PM
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Just tried to give him toast (usually his favourite) and he tried to eat it but ended up spitting it out He can't chew at all.......
He can't chew at all.......
14 May 2004, 06:02 PM
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When's his first vet's appt? If he's not eating at all he could easily start to starve / dehydrate. Initially you could get some cat milk substitute and mix that up for him, to ensure that he's strong enough to go under anaesthetic. Otherwise, the vets will have to keep him in on a drip for a day or so before the operation.
14 May 2004, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Mice_Elf
When's his first vet's appt? If he's not eating at all he could easily start to starve / dehydrate. Initially you could get some cat milk substitute and mix that up for him, to ensure that he's strong enough to go under anaesthetic. Otherwise, the vets will have to keep him in on a drip for a day or so before the operation.
14 May 2004, 06:17 PM
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An adorable little girl, all blonde curls and blue eyes walks into a pet
shop and asks in the sweetest little lisp:
"...Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?..."
The shopkeeper's heart melts and he gets down on his knees, so that he's
on her level, and asks: "...Do you want a widdle white wabby or a thoft
and fuwwy bwack wabby or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabby over
there?..."
She, blushing, rocks on her heel, puts her hands on her knees, leans
forward and says in a quiet voice; "...
I don't fink my python weally gives a *****...."
sorry, coul'nt resist
simon
shop and asks in the sweetest little lisp:
"...Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?..."
The shopkeeper's heart melts and he gets down on his knees, so that he's
on her level, and asks: "...Do you want a widdle white wabby or a thoft
and fuwwy bwack wabby or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabby over
there?..."
She, blushing, rocks on her heel, puts her hands on her knees, leans
forward and says in a quiet voice; "...
I don't fink my python weally gives a *****...."
sorry, coul'nt resist
simon
14 May 2004, 10:22 PM
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My rabbit had a tooth/teeth growing down in to her jaw, causing an abcess. We tooke her to the vet but because of where the tooth was, it would be very difficult to get at, and the vet didn't want to operate cos Sooty had had snuffles. She was still eating and acting her normal self at the time, but we were told that she would eventually get to the stage where eating would be too painful, but no idea when. She lived for a good few months before this happened, still happily chasing her ball around, before she started having trouble eating hard food (banana was fine) and she eventually died. The vet also told us that teeth are a common problem with dwarf lops as Sooty was.
Our guinea pig had teeth problems, but they managed to sort it without using anasthetic, but that may depend on the animal's personality as Fudge didn't seem to mind at all.
We used to have a block of wood in the hutch/run for them to chew on, which is supposed to help.
Bex
Our guinea pig had teeth problems, but they managed to sort it without using anasthetic, but that may depend on the animal's personality as Fudge didn't seem to mind at all.
We used to have a block of wood in the hutch/run for them to chew on, which is supposed to help.
Bex
15 May 2004, 04:02 PM
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Ours loves dried pitta bread. Or toast.
But he won't touch and bark or wood. Maybe because he's bloody awkward?
Sorry I can't help much, but I do have some apple twigs if you want 'em...
SB
But he won't touch and bark or wood. Maybe because he's bloody awkward?
Sorry I can't help much, but I do have some apple twigs if you want 'em...
SB