Toothache

Hello all...

Pochi (female, HL, 5.5years) is a picky eater and has been having teary eyes. We found out last year (2023) that she has molar spurs, that we need to bring her to Vet to trim her teeth every quarter.

We try reducing her pellets and no more treats, and give her orchard hay in addition to timothy hay.. well, she eats some but not as much as the other two bunnies. So we basically need to manage her food varieties.

Past months, the tears were reduced after all the trimming. But now they come back and have bacteria.. she was then prescribed 2 types of eye drop, which work so far.. as well as meloxicam. We now have just purchased this meloxvet from online marketplace for a bottle (the meloxicam from clinic is ridiculously expensive). And we have also acquired cbd oil for pet from a friend.

So questions
1) with this meloxvet ingredient, how should i dosage for my bunny?
2) has anyone had experience that CBD oil helps in managing mouth ulcers (for her is due to molar spurs)?
3) any vitamins to give to bunny having toothache?
4) anyone has had experience in managing life of bunny with molar spurs at its regular trims? Any tips for us?

Thanks!

I don't know that adding vitamins will be helpful unless your rabbit has a nutrient deficiency from dietary issues, that are the primary cause of the current dental problems. And adding vitamins could actually cause serious problems in some instances, if certain vitamins are fed in excess (vitamin A, D, calcium, etc).

Though I will mention one thing a member here on RO said made a difference for their rabbits dental problems. It was letting their rabbit have some exposure to daily sunlight. There is some info to support this theory, though it's not something I've researched in depth, so I'd suggest to do your own research. And it shouldn't be done outside in hot temperatures where a rabbit could over heat. Also, needs to be in a safe environment from possible predators or environmental dangers. So daily UV exposure might be something to look into.

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threa...s-in-indoor-hutches-during-heat-waves.106794/

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/vitamin-d-uv-light-sunlight.44385/

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/uv-lamp.101865/

Meloxicam dosage should be the same as the one you got from your vet, if it was also 1.5mg/ml suspension (and if dosed correctly by the vet).

But if not, the recommended meloxicam maintenance dose for rabbits is usually 0.3-0.6mg/kg, twice a day. So that's 0.2-0.4ml/kg, twice a day, of the 1.5mg/ml suspension, like what you have pictured there. This is for rabbits with no kidney problems, preferably verified by a blood test. Rabbits with kidney problems should NOT be given NSAIDs, in most cases.

https://www.vgr1.com/metacam/

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/meloxicam-as-analgesic-for-rabbits

I always want to go with the lowest dose possible, that will still adequately manage pain. So usually the rabbit is started at a higher dose, 0.3-0.4ml/kg (0.45-0.6mg/kg), twice a day, then after a few days of being able to observe a positive change in the rabbits pain levels by improved behaviors, slowly reduce the meloxicam amount. When there's a return to pain behaviors, the meloxicam is increased back up to the last level that best managed the pain, and that's where I keep the maintenance dose for my rabbits (also working through my vet with this).

Is the infection just coming from the eyes or did your vet find signs of tooth infection as well? A rabbit that has had any previous dental problems, that then shows signs of a bacterial eye or respiratory infection, it can often be linked to a dental infection as wel. The infection starts in the teeth and can spread through the tear ducts. Were head xrays done? Is your rabbit also on a rabbit safe systemic antibiotic (oral or injection), or just the antibiotic eye drops?

(NOTE: This information is my opinion, and from info found and accessible on the internet. If you have concerns or need medical advise about your pet, consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.)

thanks so much for your reply @JBun

Makes sense on the vitamins and depends on any deficiency. Thanks for reminding about sunlight! I remember she used to love going by the big window to get sunlight and now very rare.. so need to do more of that.

noted on the meloxicam.. vet suggest 0.6ml, will start with low dose and increase, as we observe her behavior.

Since we stop treats, she kind of lose weight (which is good as she was overweight before) and now has become energizer bunny

Her eyes got treated for eyedrops only now.. been a week and they look better, brighter with much less sticky tears. Vet advise to give the meloxicam at the same.

We didn't do head xray in recent visit, because we took her xray during the quarterly trimming in July'24.. that time, her photo was no good... roots were long and teeth were uneven.. thus trimming and no treats...

try to forcefeed orchard hay like you advised the other time... she eats them...sometimes, when starving

Our next visit to vet to check for her molar spurs will be in October, couple of weeks away.. hopefully the situation gets better by then on her eyes.