What are the major indicators and signs you should watch out for when it comes to guinea pig dental malocclusion? Malocclusions of this nature may result from genetic, traumatic, dietary and iatrogenic causes. To get an idea of the general length of incisors (which will vary from one guinea pig to another), see the Broken Teeth page. When I showed my vet the problem with my pig's jaw and described what the therapist did, my vet could manipulate the jaw. 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. Since the mouth can no longer close completely (due to overgrowth of the teeth), the hair under the chin may be wet. Catching gradual weight loss before your guinea pig is seriously ill and debilitated is essential. When the pig is sedated all the muscles relax and the vet won't be able to tell if the jaw is misaligned. Quesenberry, K.E., Carpenter, James W., Ferrets, Rabbits, And Rodents Clinical Medicine And Surgery2003, 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146: Saunders. 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". Guinea pigs suffer from various kinds of dental diseases, the most common being improper alignment of teeth, otherwise known as malocclusion. 5 days of hospitalization and treatment shown. r/guineapigs: For caretakers of guinea pigs encouraging the proper techniques in handling, treating and raising cavies. This treatment works best after an initial planing of overgrown molars. You'll notice that your guinea pig's fur around the neck, chin and jaw is always wet. 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. Because guinea pigs are rodents, their teeth are open rooted, which means that they continue to grow right through life. Eventually, the lack of sufficient food and intestinal fibre can cause death. No, the molars need to be planed shorter than usual to compensate for the elongated roots. Help identifying malocclusion/jaw problems? Since the mouth can no longer close completely … The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. Many vets prefer using anesthetics. The therapist gently rocked the lower jaw back and forth until it clicked into position. Chin-Sling worn by one of Pinta's guinea pigs. It is essential that the incisors are not clipped too short. Does he show great interest in food, yet not eat? Check The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry ( Member List) to see if there is a veterinary dentist in your area. 1 year ago. 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). Signs of malocclusion: Your guinea pig is losing weight or having trouble eating. Guinea pig with malocclusion. This can also stop the guinea pig from eating. Photo courtesy of Susan Horton, DVM, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, http://www.exoticpetvet.com/. Pictured below is a guinea pig with incisor malocclusion and a missing incisor. Along with malocclusions, abscesses and elongated roots may cause your piggy problems. Malocclusion occurs when the premolars overgrow because the mandibular and maxillary teeth are not normally aligned and do not properly occlude. In a healthy animal, dermatophytosis is generally a self-limiting disease, with full resolution after development of an appropriate cell-mediated immune response. Does he eat at the same rate/speed the other pigs eat at? University of Missouri - Comparative Medicine Program and IDEXX-BioAnalytics. Diagnosis: Malocclusion is readily diagnosed by an oral examination. The primary cause for this condition is overgrowth of the guinea pig’s premolars and/or molars. 1. As you can imagine, this can be quite uncomfortable. Please Click Here. Does my Guinea Pig Have Malocclusion? Malocclusion In Guinea Pigs. Clipping the incisors too short will interfere with the ability to bite, tear, and pick up food. For more information on preventing and treating malocclusion, see Pinta's thread. If he doesn't have any heart issues, there shouldn't be a problem. Overgrown incisors trimmed, molar spurs trimmed. Pinta has had numerous guinea pigs with dental problems treated by a skilled veterinary dentist. The other times, he eats at a very slow slow pace. 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 … Vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy, a painful condition with symptoms that can be somewhat vague. 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? Seiten zum Thema Malocclusion: Hay, hay, hay! Did the vet take x-rays to look for signs of abscesses? Search. Malocclusion; Checking a guinea pig’s teeth; Genetic problems; Prevention of dental problems in guinea pigs; Guinea pig teeth. Typically the bottom molars grow toward and sometimes over the tongue while the upper molars grow toward the cheeks. 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. 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. Incidence: The incidence of malocclusion is common. Peg teeth in rabbits: Rabbits have four incisors, two on the top, and two on the bottom. She responded to a few questions about tooth care on the medical board: Does the guinea pig need to go under anesthesia each time? Register. Finding an exotics veterinarian or veterinary dentist who is experienced in treating guinea pig teeth is critical. When this happens it feels locked. Note the severe overgrowth of the mandibular premolars and molars, causing entrapment of the tongue. Malocclusion is sometimes associated with heart problems. 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. The cause of the condition is thought to involve genetic factors as well as dietary factors (particularly inadequate roughage in the diet). Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in cases where guinea pigs younger than two years are maloccluded. The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. Hay is rich in crude fiber / fibre which is essential for the cavies eupepsia. The teeth should be planed at a 30 degree angle. Hence, they need to wear them out to ensure a proper length; otherwise, they may face malocclusion or misalignment of teeth. Not all veterinarians have the skill, knowledge, and tools to accurately diagnose and treat malocclusion or to identify other dental problems. Should your guinea pigs’ teeth become too long or crooked, malocclusion becomes a serious risk. 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). 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. And rarely, a guinea pig grows an extra set of front teeth similar to the "peg teeth" found on a rabbit. Accompanying the gradual weight loss are often signs of scurvy from decreased food intake. At its worst, their roots may begin to grow back into their jaw. You should be able to move it back and forth and from side to side. Posted by. If your vet understands the problem, she could possibly manipulate it into position. As the ability to chew deteriorates, the front teeth no longer receive normal wear. These tools were designed by Vedra Stanley-Spatcher and can be obtained directly from her in England. 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). Etiology: Guinea pigs have continuously erupting teeth throughout life. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . Very quickly, a guinea pig with scurvy will develop malocclusion problems with its teeth. Front teeth may be filed or clipped. Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in guinea pigs under two years of age. Close. The CCT reportedly offers a lecture on dental work to members. These and other dental diseases require immediate veterinary … malocclusion. Malocclusion. That slobbering is caused by malocclusion. If this happens, get a veterinarian to trim the teeth. 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. Does he pick up a pellet in his mouth and let it drop out again? Maloccluded molars are ground and filed (usually under anesthetic). Teeth should be always catered to and in focus for your Guinea Pig. 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. 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. This is where your guinea pig will experience a misalignment of their teeth and jaw. I believe she has TMJ on one side. What's new Search. Since it is possible to split and fracture a front tooth when clipping, filing is preferable. The most important thing a guinea pig owner can do for their pet is to weigh it weekly! Physical examination is often done under anesthetic, although an initial examination may be done without anesthetic. Guinea Pigs have continually growing and erupting teeth. Malocclusion occurs when the premolars overgrow because the mandibular and maxillary teeth are not normally aligned and do not properly occlude. An animal physical therapist can manipulate the jaw back if it's misaligned. Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth, can happen in guinea pigs. 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. ABSTRACT: Dental problems of guinea pigs have been recognized for many years, including tooth elongation, malocclusion, oral trauma and abscess formation. Problem is, it's been a week since the vet visit and he's still not eating right. Search titles only. (Courtesy Michelle G. Hawkins, VMD, DABVP [Avian].) 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Clinical signs: Premolars are overgrown and misaligned, and incisors overgrow as a sequela. Is the treatment for elongated roots the same as for overgrown molars? Without prompt, proper treatment, this can prove fatal. log in sign up. The dietary habits of guinea pigs must be considered as one of the major potential If your pet has lost appetite, has troubles eating or is slobbering, these are all early signs of the malocclusion. … This continuous growth makes them more susceptible to malocclusion, a condition where overgrown teeth and other dental anomalies prevent the cavy … Malocclusion In Guinea Pigs Malocclusion, also known as poor bite, is caused by misaligned teeth. The tongue may become entrapped and traumatized. One of Pinta's pigs had heart problems and could not take the stress of unsedated dental work. Pinta writes: Sometimes the jaw gets "locked" by getting stuck on a ridge. They have an elodont dentition which consists of aradicular hypsodont incisors and cheek teeth. Broken Teeth and Tooth Loss. In extreme cases, the tooth roots can even break through into the nasal sinus or eye. Some vets treat the scurvy but miss the malocclusion. so toby our 2.5 year old pig was found on saturday covered in drool. The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. The guinea pig may have great difficulty eating, only picking at its food or may be anorexic (not eating at all). How does this monthly surgery affect an older guinea pig? Since guinea pig teeth grow continuously, they need to wear against each other to maintain their proper structure. “Malocclusion” just means the teeth don’t line up right and interfere with the mouth working properly. 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? Can he eat the peel as well as the apple from an apple slice? 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. r/guineapigs. The bone roungers (used to clip the teeth) from Timesco. The molar teeth wear unevenly, and maxillary cheek teeth develop spurs which grow into and ulcerate the cheeks, whilst the mandibular … 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. Treatment for malocclusion: This depends on how bad the teeth have grown but usually they will be trimmed by the vet. Pain and discomfort from this condition can result in a guinea pig eating less. Guinea pigs’ teeth are consistently growing. 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". To prevent malocclusion in guinea pigs, feed it Timothy hay, which provides calcium and helps grind down your guinea pig's teeth. By: Search Advanced search… Latest activity. Forum Events. 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. Often, if malocclusion is advanced, your guinea pig may need veterinary dental work every few weeks until the problem is eradicated. 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. Her dentist routinely uses isoflurane gas and has developed a method of supplying a constant flow to the nostrils. Dental problems may develop in a guinea pig for a variety of other reasons. Abscesses commonly occur at the apical aspects of overgrown molars and premolars. Cheryl Hustwith's rodentologist showed her how to maintain the teeth of four of her guinea pigs who suffer from ongoing dental problems. Plan to take your guinea pig to the … Root elongation, another painful condition, can only be diagnosed by x-ray. Frequently the overgrowth of the front and back teeth occurs at the same time, although it may appear only the front teeth have overgrown. Case studies of the Chin-Sling can be found at this site. Signs of Malocclusion. not eating after dental check. The buccal pad separators (pictured above) and a dental file (not pictured) were obtained from the Cambridge Cavy Trust. Is there exaggerated ear movement when he chews? The even pressure and resistance allow the teeth to grind against each other and help the guinea pig regain jaw muscle strength making future dental planing unnecessary. The cause of the condition is thought to involve genetic factors as well as dietary factors (particularly inadequate roughage in the diet). When a baby guinea pig nibbles on grass or other foods, their teeth wear down and align properly. Clinical signs can include inappetence or dysphagia, decreased fecal output, ptyalism, poor coat quality, and lethargy. Search. Some veterinarians use a Dremel type tool to grind the teeth. Hay is the primary food for your cavies and has to be provided fresh consistently. Jaw fractures can be caused by an injury (fall) and on occasion, from biting too hard on the cage bars. While scurvy doesn't directly cause paralysis, it can make a guinea pig reluctant to move. 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. Tags. Illness combined with changes in eating patterns (reduced intake, soft foods) can allow the teeth to overgrow and lead to malocclusion. The first meat at morning should be hay exclusive. An instrument known as a bone rounger (lower right hand picture) can be used to clip teeth. Log in Register. Guinea pigs have open-rooted dental systems - meaning, their teeth are constantly growing throughout their lifetime. Left untreated, malocclusion in your pet guinea pig will lead to malnutrition, weight loss and diarrhoea. In guinea pigs, a typical form of ... Malocclusion resulting in canine tusk overgrowth occurs fairly frequently, similar to common hippos. In extreme cases, teeth that continue to grow overlong can protrude into the mouth, trapping the tongue so you pig cannot swallow properly. This dynamic (changing) relationship between the upper and lower teeth can result in malocclusion development. Other dental problems can cause an animal to stop eating. Additionally, give your guinea pig untreated wood, such as apple, crabapple, oak, or maple, to chew on. Archived. Trauma or infection can injure the teeth, predisposing them to faulty growth patterns. I took Oreo to the vet last week and he had MALOCCLUSION, and the vet did his thing and fixed it. In some cases, the guinea pig will need dental work every few weeks. The guinea pig may have great difficulty eating, only picking at its food or may be anorexic (not eating at all). Guinea Pig Guides. Guinea pig teeth have to line up with one another so your pet can eat properly. Hay is elemental to keep their gut working on. 1. Another dental disease is slobbers. A heat treament (warm towel) followed by massaging the jaws with an electric toothbrush could help to relax the muscles. 1. Photographs contributed by Cheryl Hustwith. Injuries to the mouth, skull or jaw bone may cause the teeth to grow at odd angles. 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. New Posts. u/zaweri. The larger of the two buccal pad separators holds open the front teeth while the smaller one is used to hold open the cheeks. User account menu. Does he chew (carrots in particular) and let little pieces drop out of his mouth? A buccal pad separator can also aid in the examination. It can also be secondary to other problems that keep the guinea pig from eating enough, like malocclusion. 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. Etiology: Guinea pigs have continuously erupting teeth throughout life. See a sketch of the teeth illustrating the 30 degree angle and photographs of Paravati's guinea pig before and after dental planing. These overgrown teeth prevent the normal chewing and eating of food and can cause sores and injuries to the mouth. Teeth problems: Malocclusion is a condition where rodent teeth have not been worn properly and overgrow. The guinea pig is firmly wrapped in a towel during the procedure which is done in most cases with no anesthesia. By the time most owners notice something is wrong, their pet has already lost a … Guinea pigs may drool, have a poor body condition and evidence of poor growth [1]. Other symptoms include pawing at his mouth, weight and appetite loss, blood in his mouth, and abscesses from infected teeth. Did the vet feel the outside of the jaw looking for spurs? Too many vets have only trimmed the incisors and missed the overgrown molars which were causing the problems. 5 Worrying Signs Advent Calendar. commonly encountered Iscauses and overgrowth in disorder Malocclusion Buphthalmia, splay leg, news and of animalsnov Printed an article by susan Other defect Malocclusion Your pet care information online wearing action andrabbit Hares is signs inbreeding, congenital causes, Before you adopt a guinea pig, guinea pigs; we call these online about therabbits, … Or nose ( can indicate an abscess ) problems and could not take the stress of unsedated work. 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