Mo' molars mo' problems!

[knifefight]

Hey everyone,

I've got an 8.5 year old black Netherland dwarf. The last time we were at the vet, she said that his molars are elongated, but they weren't causing any abcesses or anything like that. That was a few months ago and she didn't seem too concerned, but now I can't stop thinking about it so I bought an otoscope and could see the elongated teeth for myself.

I'm trying to get him to eat hay again (every year he eats less and less of it; he's extremely picky) but I don't want him to stop eating, lose weight, or get any GI problems. He has a healthy appetite but he only wants his "treat" food; I think he's getting angry that I won't give him what he wants, but he is still in good spirits otherwise.

He usually loves kale and carrot greens, but hasn't been eating those as much recently either. If he does take a bite, it takes him a LONG TIME to chew.

I have a bunch of related questions:
+ If his molars are elongated, is there any chance he can still wear them down to a normal size?
+ If we have his molars extracted, what will he be able to eat?
+ What's better: molar extraction, or grinding down the molars?
+ Do I wait until there is a problem, or get his molars extracted asap?

My #1 fear is any complication with preventative molar extraction, when he otherwise seems totally fine (and would happily eat if I gave him what he wanted).

I like my vet but I'd like to hear some other people's experiences with this. Thank you!

 

[JBun]

Molar filing or grinding, and extraction, are two completely different solutions to two different problems. Extraction is something that is sometimes needed when a rabbits tooth base is growing into the jaw, which can cause pain and other problems, and/or a loose tooth and abscess/infection. Molar spurs and sharp points can occur when a rabbits teeth don't wear down evenly and can cut into the rabbits cheek and tongue, causing pain and sores. This is corrected by filing or grinding the sharp points down. So I'm not sure what problem it is that your rabbit has, from your description, but if your rabbit is having difficulty chewing, it would be a good idea to get the tooth problem fixed before your rabbit stops eating completely. If it is a molar base problem, that is much more intensive to correct, and you really want a specialist doing it. You'll want to talk to your vet(or find a new more experienced rabbit vet) and have them clarify what the problem really is. Sometimes when looking for a good vet, it's good to ask other rabbit owners who's a good vet in your area, and also educate yourself on your rabbits problem as much as possible, then go with the vet that seems to have the best and most accurate knowledge of rabbits, and one that sees rabbits on a regular basis also helps.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f28/finding-vet-13366/
http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

 

[tonyshuman]

JBun gave a lot of good help and good links. I wanted to add this one.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Dental_diseases/Dental_diseases_main.htm

Our mod angieluv had a senior bunny with tooth issue (well he had the issues his whole life, I think) so she would be great at this question. At that age, sometimes you worry about doing a surgery if the healing time is too long due to advanced age. 8.5 is definitely senior. Tooth extractions are extremely painful and sometimes the bunny has to be force-fed for several days after. For an bunny that is already "supposedly" eating hay, though, to successfully go through changes in diet to provide enough tooth wear to keep "problem" teeth in line, is quite difficult. Adding fresh grass may help--I grow wheat grass for my buns and it provides additional wear for their molars in addition to a variety of dry hays. Clean grass from your lawn may also help.