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Guinea pig overgrown teeth

7 replies

toffee1000 · 15/04/2019 21:21

We have two guineas currently.

Firstly we noticed that one appeared to be losing weight. She was eating fine as far as we could see and didn’t appear ill in any other way (although we’re aware that piggies tend to hide illness).
Secondly, I noticed that her throat fur was very wet.
Then I heard an odd noise when she was sitting in the cage, like a slightly rattly sort of noise. I decided to check her mouth. Lo and behold, her teeth appeared very elongated. This would explain a lot if she can’t open her mouth properly. She must be eating something, and taking in some water, but it’s still a concern. I checked her cage mate; her teeth was normal (gap between bottom and top teeth, rather than no gap) and she’s a tubby piggie.

I’m taking her to the vet tomorrow to get looked at. From what I’ve read it seems like a fairly common occurrence. We do have plenty of chews/hay for them to nibble on, I guess it’s just something that happens.

Has anyone else had similar happen with their guinea?

OP posts:
toffee1000 · 15/04/2019 21:22

Just to clarify that the rattly noise must be her teeth clattering together.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/04/2019 21:55

It's well worth the vet visit , it could be the back teeth thats the issue (and you won't be able to see them yourself)

Piggie might have a spur that is sharp , hence the weight loss and dribbly chin.

The vet can check there's nothing stuck like a twig from hay , stopping her eating.
She might have a malalignent so they don't wear evenly ?

One of my guineas many years ago had to have her teeth trimmed . She was the last one and didn't have to protest by rattling bars so she made the most of her 'only' status by just being picked up and put in the garden without any effort from her !

Our last piggie at the moment chews the water bottle in the early hours , I think , "Well at least its wearing the teeth a bit"

There's a poster on here (Purple Daisies) who had a Himalayan boar 'Mr Pig' that needed to have a rogue spur tooth filed but that was an ongoing problem - maybe do a searchy on this ?

toffee1000 · 15/04/2019 22:00

It definitely looks like the teeth at the bottom and top of the front of her mouth that are overly long. I’d take a picture but I imagine she wouldn’t be too compliant Grin
Hopefully the vet will be more conclusive.

OP posts:
toffee1000 · 16/04/2019 11:44

We’re going to ring up a specialist exotic pets place where dealing with teeth is a more routine thing, as our local place is mainly dogs and cats. There did appear to be a fair bit of food in her mouth which I’m taking as a good sign, that she’s taking stuff in. She also had a good sniff of the vet’s hand as she was being examined Grin

OP posts:
toffee1000 · 17/04/2019 19:21

Sadly Katie deteriorated very fast and we just took her to the vet to have her PTS. We’ll have to cancel the appointment at the specialist.
We still have one left. We'll get her a new friend or two in time, but not right now of course. Piggies do best in a group.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 17/04/2019 20:54

Aww Sad to hear about your guinea-pig. They do go downhill quick unfortunately .

Shamrock
PlanBea · 17/04/2019 23:22

Sorry to hear your piggies had gone over the rainbow bridge Flowers

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