Does he show great interest in food, yet not eat? Injuries to the mouth, skull or jaw bone may cause the teeth to grow at odd angles. Malocclusion In Guinea Pigs Malocclusion, also known as poor bite, is caused by misaligned teeth. Help identifying malocclusion/jaw problems? If your vet understands the problem, she could possibly manipulate it into position. The guinea pig may have great difficulty eating, only picking at its food or may be anorexic (not eating at all). Some vets treat the scurvy but miss the malocclusion. Scurvy: As guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C, just like humans, a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to many problems, including lethargy, hair loss, and weight loss. Did the vet feel the outside of the jaw looking for spurs? r/guineapigs. This occurs when a guinea pig's teeth become overgrown, making it difficult to swallow or chew, and causing the animal to salivate more than necessary. Pinta writes: Sometimes the jaw gets "locked" by getting stuck on a ridge. No, the molars need to be planed shorter than usual to compensate for the elongated roots. Root elongation, another painful condition, can only be diagnosed by x-ray. Too many vets have only trimmed the incisors and missed the overgrown molars which were causing the problems. Forum Events. Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in cases where guinea pigs younger than two years are maloccluded. I took Oreo to the vet last week and he had MALOCCLUSION, and the vet did his thing and fixed it. Guinea pigs have open-rooted dental systems - meaning, their teeth are constantly growing throughout their lifetime. Clinical signs:  Premolars are overgrown and misaligned, and incisors overgrow as a sequela. Tags. The bone roungers (used to clip the teeth) from Timesco. The first meat at morning should be hay exclusive. Quesenberry, K.E., Carpenter, James W., Ferrets, Rabbits, And Rodents Clinical Medicine And Surgery2003, 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146: Saunders. In order to lessen the pain related to the dental work, she has used rimadyl as a short term pain reliever (1/12 of a 25mg tablet once a day for a 2 pound pig). While scurvy doesn't directly cause paralysis, it can make a guinea pig reluctant to move. r/guineapigs: For caretakers of guinea pigs encouraging the proper techniques in handling, treating and raising cavies. Guinea Pigs have continually growing and erupting teeth. Some guinea pigs have responded very favorably to a new treatment using a flexible jaw sling to hold the jaw in position keeping the upper and lower back teeth in contact with each other. Accompanying the gradual weight loss are often signs of scurvy from decreased food intake. so toby our 2.5 year old pig was found on saturday covered in drool. Malocclusion; Checking a guinea pig’s teeth; Genetic problems; Prevention of dental problems in guinea pigs; Guinea pig teeth. (Courtesy Michelle G. Hawkins, VMD, DABVP [Avian].) Guinea pigs may drool, have a poor body condition and evidence of poor growth [1]. Front teeth may be filed or clipped. How does this monthly surgery affect an older guinea pig? 1. The therapist gently rocked the lower jaw back and forth until it clicked into position. Many guinea pigs have been misdiagnosed and the malocclusion has gone untreated. Diagnosis:  Malocclusion is readily diagnosed by an oral examination. Peg teeth in rabbits: Rabbits have four incisors, two on the top, and two on the bottom. The guinea pig is firmly wrapped in a towel during the procedure which is done in most cases with no anesthesia. This continuous growth makes them more susceptible to malocclusion, a condition where overgrown teeth and other dental anomalies prevent the cavy … Treatment for malocclusion: This depends on how bad the teeth have grown but usually they will be trimmed by the vet. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . The cause of the condition is thought to involve genetic factors as well as dietary factors (particularly inadequate roughage in the diet). Teeth should be always catered to and in focus for your Guinea Pig. Guinea pig is the common name for Cavy, a ... Malocclusion: This is a condition where your guinea pigs teeth do not meet properly and therefore do not wear properly. Search. An animal physical therapist can manipulate the jaw back if it's misaligned. Illness combined with changes in eating patterns (reduced intake, soft foods) can allow the teeth to overgrow and lead to malocclusion. Jaw fractures can be caused by an injury (fall) and on occasion, from biting too hard on the cage bars. Dental Malocclusion in Guinea Pigs (Dental Disease) Basics OVERVIEW • Occlusion is the relationship or contact between the biting and chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth; malocclusion is any deviation in the relationship or contact between the biting … u/zaweri. Since the mouth can no longer close completely (due to overgrowth of the teeth), the hair under the chin may be wet. It can also be secondary to other problems that keep the guinea pig from eating enough, like malocclusion. Does he pick up a pellet in his mouth and let it drop out again? Signs of Malocclusion. The most important thing a guinea pig owner can do for their pet is to weigh it weekly! The front teeth must only be shortened enough to prevent them from contacting the roof of the mouth (if lower incisors) or contacting the lower gums (if upper incisors). This can also stop the guinea pig from eating. User account menu. log in sign up. The teeth should be planed at a 30 degree angle. The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. Advent Calendar. “Malocclusion” just means the teeth don’t line up right and interfere with the mouth working properly. Case studies of the Chin-Sling can be found at this site. Some veterinarians use a Dremel type tool to grind the teeth. Other dental problems can cause an animal to stop eating. As you can imagine, this can be quite uncomfortable. The tongue may become entrapped and traumatized. The guinea pig may have great difficulty eating, only picking at its food or may be anorexic (not eating at all). I'm hand feeding him, and he sometimes seems disinterested in the food (even though he loves to eat or at least use to) and I have to force him to eat. In extreme cases, teeth that continue to grow overlong can protrude into the mouth, trapping the tongue so you pig cannot swallow properly. 5 days of hospitalization and treatment shown. Physical examination is often done under anesthetic, although an initial examination may be done without anesthetic. Please Click Here. Pinta suggests several things to watch for during the examination: To view x-rays of a guinea pig with elongated roots and read a discussion on the importance of x-rays in diagnosing various teeth problems, read this thread. The other times, he eats at a very slow slow pace. Dental problems may develop in a guinea pig for a variety of other reasons. Without prompt, proper treatment, this can prove fatal. Pinta has had numerous guinea pigs with dental problems treated by a skilled veterinary dentist. When a baby guinea pig nibbles on grass or other foods, their teeth wear down and align properly. Log in Register. This dynamic (changing) relationship between the upper and lower teeth can result in malocclusion development. Photographs contributed by Cheryl Hustwith. not eating after dental check. I believe she has TMJ on one side. They have an elodont dentition which consists of aradicular hypsodont incisors and cheek teeth. Is there discharge from the eyes or nose (can indicate an abscess)? Should your guinea pigs’ teeth become too long or crooked, malocclusion becomes a serious risk. Malocclusion occurs when the premolars overgrow because the mandibular and maxillary teeth are not normally aligned and do not properly occlude. As the ability to chew deteriorates, the front teeth no longer receive normal wear. The primary cause for this condition is overgrowth of the guinea pig’s premolars and/or molars. Malocclusions of this nature may result from genetic, traumatic, dietary and iatrogenic causes. Guinea pig teeth have to line up with one another so your pet can eat properly. To prevent malocclusion in guinea pigs, feed it Timothy hay, which provides calcium and helps grind down your guinea pig's teeth. Pictured below is a guinea pig with incisor malocclusion and a missing incisor. Problem is, it's been a week since the vet visit and he's still not eating right. Her dentist routinely uses isoflurane gas and has developed a method of supplying a constant flow to the nostrils. Guinea pigs can be tested for dermatophytes by using a new toothbrush to comb all parts of the hair coat and impress the bristles onto dermatophyte test medium (DTM) in several sites. A heat treament (warm towel) followed by massaging the jaws with an electric toothbrush could help to relax the muscles. At its worst, their roots may begin to grow back into their jaw. Hillyer and Quesenberry recommend using an otoscope to examine the back teeth, enlisting the help of an assistant to gently secure the animal (one hand at the rump and the other at the shoulder/neck area). The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. Trauma or infection can injure the teeth, predisposing them to faulty growth patterns. Another dental disease is slobbers. One of Pinta's pigs had heart problems and could not take the stress of unsedated dental work. ... Artikel lesen; Dry food / pellets for Guinea Pigs. Malocclusion occurs when the premolars overgrow because the mandibular and maxillary teeth are not normally aligned and do not properly occlude. For more information on preventing and treating malocclusion, see Pinta's thread. Hay is elemental to keep their gut working on. What are the major indicators and signs you should watch out for when it comes to guinea pig dental malocclusion? malocclusion. Register. Hay is the primary food for your cavies and has to be provided fresh consistently. Incidence:  The incidence of malocclusion is common. Left untreated, malocclusion in your pet guinea pig will lead to malnutrition, weight loss and diarrhoea. In some cases, the guinea pig will need dental work every few weeks. The dietary habits of guinea pigs must be considered as one of the major potential Finding an exotics veterinarian or veterinary dentist who is experienced in treating guinea pig teeth is critical. In Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs, Virginia C. G. Richardson writes, “Molar malocclusion can be an inherited condition, or it can develop in any guinea pig over 1 year of age. New Posts. Search titles only. Clipping the incisors too short will interfere with the ability to bite, tear, and pick up food. You should be able to move it back and forth and from side to side. By the time most owners notice something is wrong, their pet has already lost a … Dental Malocclusion in Guinea Pigs Ness Exotic Wellness Center 1007 Maple Ave. Lisle, IL 60532 630-737-1281 Slobbers is the condition where the fur under the jaw and down the neck remains wet from constant drooling of saliva. To get an idea of the general length of incisors (which will vary from one guinea pig to another), see the Broken Teeth page. Etiology:  Guinea pigs have continuously erupting teeth throughout life. You'll notice that your guinea pig's fur around the neck, chin and jaw is always wet. Clinical signs can include inappetence or dysphagia, decreased fecal output, ptyalism, poor coat quality, and lethargy. Posted by. And rarely, a guinea pig grows an extra set of front teeth similar to the "peg teeth" found on a rabbit. Is there exaggerated ear movement when he chews? 1 year ago. Guinea pigs’ teeth are consistently growing. This is where your guinea pig will experience a misalignment of their teeth and jaw. Because guinea pigs are rodents, their teeth are open rooted, which means that they continue to grow right through life. See also an article on malocclusion written by DVM Elisângela Perez de Freitas and translated by Regiane Bagni: Elongation and dental malocclusion in Guinea Pig: a case report. Not all veterinarians have the skill, knowledge, and tools to accurately diagnose and treat malocclusion or to identify other dental problems. Malocclusion. The molar teeth wear unevenly, and maxillary cheek teeth develop spurs which grow into and ulcerate the cheeks, whilst the mandibular … In guinea pigs, a typical form of ... Malocclusion resulting in canine tusk overgrowth occurs fairly frequently, similar to common hippos. Very quickly, a guinea pig with scurvy will develop malocclusion problems with its teeth. Typically the bottom molars grow toward and sometimes over the tongue while the upper molars grow toward the cheeks. Pain and discomfort from this condition can result in a guinea pig eating less. It is essential that the incisors are not clipped too short. When the pig is sedated all the muscles relax and the vet won't be able to tell if the jaw is misaligned. If your pet has lost appetite, has troubles eating or is slobbering, these are all early signs of the malocclusion. She responded to a few questions about tooth care on the medical board: Does the guinea pig need to go under anesthesia each time? You should also set aside time each week to examine your guinea pig’s teeth, making sure the front teeth aren’t overgrown or chipped. Along with malocclusions, abscesses and elongated roots may cause your piggy problems. Does my Guinea Pig Have Malocclusion? Abscesses commonly occur at the apical aspects of overgrown molars and premolars. Often, if malocclusion is advanced, your guinea pig may need veterinary dental work every few weeks until the problem is eradicated. University of Missouri - Comparative Medicine Program and IDEXX-BioAnalytics. The cause of the condition is thought to involve genetic factors as well as dietary factors (particularly inadequate roughage in the diet). Etiology: Guinea pigs have continuously erupting teeth throughout life. These tools were designed by Vedra Stanley-Spatcher and can be obtained directly from her in England. Hay is rich in crude fiber / fibre which is essential for the cavies eupepsia. Guinea pig with malocclusion. That slobbering is caused by malocclusion. Does he chew (carrots in particular) and let little pieces drop out of his mouth? Since the mouth can no longer close completely … In extreme cases, the tooth roots can even break through into the nasal sinus or eye. See a sketch of the teeth illustrating the 30 degree angle and photographs of Paravati's guinea pig before and after dental planing. A buccal pad separator can also aid in the examination. Since guinea pig teeth grow continuously, they need to wear against each other to maintain their proper structure. Malocclusion In Guinea Pigs. Many vets prefer using anesthetics. Seiten zum Thema Malocclusion: Hay, hay, hay! By the time most owners notice something is wrong, their pet has already lost a substantial amount of weight and may have what has been called "the slobbers". Archived. By: Search Advanced search… Latest activity. Maloccluded molars are ground and filed (usually under anesthetic). For example, some guinea pigs may be born with abnormally shaped teeth, skull or jaw bones that simply don’t line up for proper grinding. Guinea Pig Dental Malocclusion/Slobbers Slobbers is the condition where the fur under the jaw and down the neck remains wet from constant drooling of saliva. Can he eat the peel as well as the apple from an apple slice? Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth, can happen in guinea pigs. Vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy, a painful condition with symptoms that can be somewhat vague. If this happens, get a veterinarian to trim the teeth. Guinea pigs suffer from various kinds of dental diseases, the most common being improper alignment of teeth, otherwise known as malocclusion. Check The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry ( Member List) to see if there is a veterinary dentist in your area. Photo courtesy of Susan Horton, DVM, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, http://www.exoticpetvet.com/. Left untreated, your guinea pig will eventually be unable to eat and will become seriously ill so it is vital you go to the vet as soon as you notice the problem. Chin-Sling worn by one of Pinta's guinea pigs. Does your guinea pig seem to work at chewing like he has something caught in his mouth that he or she is trying to unstick? Plan to take your guinea pig to the … The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. While malocclusion is often due to genetics (or as previously mentioned, due to illness, injury or infection) it has also been postulated that ligament and muscle weaknesses contribute to malocclusion. In a healthy animal, dermatophytosis is generally a self-limiting disease, with full resolution after development of an appropriate cell-mediated immune response. If he doesn't have any heart issues, there shouldn't be a problem. Since it is possible to split and fracture a front tooth when clipping, filing is preferable. 5 Worrying Signs Broken Teeth and Tooth Loss. Guinea Pig Guides. Search. Overgrown incisors trimmed, molar spurs trimmed. Teeth problems: Malocclusion is a condition where rodent teeth have not been worn properly and overgrow. Malocclusion is sometimes associated with heart problems. Did the vet take x-rays to look for signs of abscesses? Quinn has to wear a Chin-Sling with a pad to keep her lower jaw in position 5 nights a week to keep her jaw in alignment. Signs of malocclusion: Your guinea pig is losing weight or having trouble eating. Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in guinea pigs under two years of age. This treatment works best after an initial planing of overgrown molars. When this happens it feels locked. They are born with teeth – except in some rare cases – and their health is very dependent on how well they grow and are looked after. By the time most owners notice something is wrong, their pet has already lost a substantial amount of weight and may have what has been called "the slobbers". My guinea pig Hollywood randomly couldnt eat a week or so ago...well she DID want to eat, she just couldnt seem to get it into her mouth and chew properly? What's new Search. Is the treatment for elongated roots the same as for overgrown molars? Guinea pigs can be vulnerable to broken teeth, particularly if their diet is inadequate and lacking Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for bone and tooth growth. Press J to jump to the feed. 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