Teeth Please help! Fell and lost a tooth - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

madakri · #1 03-07-09, 12:20 am

My piggie (Chewy) fell out of my hands two days ago and he injured his upper teeth(there was a little blood on his gums and upper lip). Today one of his upper front teeth fell out and the other one is very loose, about to fall out, however he is still drinking and eating his hay and veggies(veggies are being chopped up finely). I noticed he had a bit of food in the area of the tooth that has fallen out so I cleared the food out. I do not have a small pet vet as of yet nor do I know of one in my area. I have read other threads similiar to this type of injury, therefore I have an idea of what to look for in the mean time. I know they will regrow, as I read in Guinea Lynx. Does anyone have any more advice or anything additionally I can do for him, here at home?

madakri · #2 03-07-09, 09:20 am

Since I haven't received any replies to my problem, I'm going to assume that I'm doing all I need to be doing for the time being. However, I'm very concerned about his lower teeth causing any upper gum damage/injury once the other tooth falls out and if I need to get them trimmed. If anyone has had any experience with this type of injury before, I would really appreciate it if you would share it with me.

**claire** · #3 03-07-09, 09:34 am

Have a read of the info here. http://www.guinealynx.info/teeth_broken.html Sorry I can't be more help. As you can see, I'm a newbie myself and this isn't something I've dealt with.

It seems they should grow back very quickly and the bottom teeth will then be worn down to where they should be without the trauma of trimming. Make sure he's able to eat plenty in the meantime though. Good luck.

madakri · #4 03-07-09, 09:35 am

Thank you, Claire.

**Paula** · #5 03-07-09, 09:46 am

You should take him to a vet. If the other tooth falls out he might have a hard time eating, and a good veterinarian can determine if it's causing him pain and go from there, or advise you on handfeeding and whatnot.

Besides the tooth injury, he might have other injuries from the fall that a vet could assess.

**MissGinger** · #6 03-07-09, 09:54 am

I think the tooth is the least of your worries.Any Fall they should be checked out by a vet, there could be internal injuries.

madakri · #7 03-07-09, 10:10 am

Well, he did cough and sneeze a little when he fell, but it passed very quickly. He has no nose discharge and his eyes look fine, there's no change in his behavior nor in his droppings. However, this morning I am noticing he's not chewing on the hay as much as he normally does, Chewy loves his hay and is always at it. Also , I just noticed his other tooth has fallen off.
I AM SO WORRIED! and at the moment, even if I found a vet, I cannot afford to take him to the vet. I have been very ill and not been able to go to work every day for the past 3 weeks. Oh God, I feel so scared for him! I love him so much!!

madakri · #8 03-07-09, 10:29 am

ok, I found a vet and my son gave me money to take Chewy to the vet.

**claire** · #9 03-07-09, 11:06 am

That's great. Hope Chewy's ok.

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 03-07-09, 12:21 pm

Sometimes threads can be answered in minutes, sometimes it take hours or even a full day or two before they are answered.

I hope all goes well at the vets.

madakri · #11 03-07-09, 01:06 pm

We're back, the vet says Chewy looks very healthy!! He wants to follow up in a week to make sure he's coming along well and because he would like the lower teeth to be trimmed a little, he believes they're a little long. He didn't want to trim them today, to give Chewy time to recover from the present injury and discomfort and not to add any additional stress. He told me that I could moisten the pellets, a bit at a time, to make it easier for Chewy to eat for know. He did not put him on antibiotics, he didn't see the need for it at this time.
The vet was very nice and actually inexpensive and will not charge for the follow up visit.
He has an employee, young lady, that has had a female piggie for about a year now, whom I will introduce to this site.
Sorry for being so impatience for your replies.
Thank you all very much!!
Much love from Chewy and mom!!

**theresaj** · #12 03-07-09, 01:50 pm

I'm very glad little Chewy was okay!!! :)

madakri · #13 03-07-09, 02:18 pm

Thank you.

**Wheek Weak** · #14 03-07-09, 03:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by madakri

We're back, the vet says Chewy looks very healthy!! He wants to follow up in a week to make sure he's coming along well and because he would like the lower teeth to be trimmed a little, he believes they're a little long.

I'm so glad to hear that Chewy is ok. Kudos to you for getting him to the vet quickly.

Does Chewy have hay 24/7? Corn husk once a day is also good for helping to keep the teeth worn down.

I would just suggest that you read about teeth trimming on GuineaLynx before having the vet do it. That way you are fully informed on what is involved in the procedure.

madakri · #15 03-07-09, 04:00 pm

Yes, he always had plenty of hay, but I do not know what corn husk is.

Yesterday I read about teeth trimming on GuineaLynx, and if remember correctly, they do not recomend it and I believe it causes them discomfort, is this correct?

Please let me know if I shouldn't let the vet do this to Chewy and how may this affect his upper gums until the teeth start growing in.

madakri · #16 03-07-09, 04:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheek Weak

I'm so glad to hear that Chewy is ok. Kudos to you for getting him to the vet quickly.

Does Chewy have hay 24/7? Corn husk once a day is also good for helping to keep the teeth worn down.

I would just suggest that you read about teeth trimming on GuineaLynx before having the vet do it. That way you are fully informed on what is involved in the procedure.

I read GuineaLynx again, I should "NOT" let the vet cilp his teeth! Now I will look into, what is corn husk.
Thanks Wheek.

**Wheek Weak** · #17 03-07-09, 04:25 pm

Corn husk is the outer green leaves on ears of corn. You want to peel off the outer (usually dirty) 3 or 4 leaves then feed the rest of the husks to the piggy one per day (keep the extras in a plastic bag in the refrigerator).

I haven't had any experience with teeth problems or trimming, so I can't answer your other questions. Hopefully, someone will read this and be able to advise you on it. You can also register on GuineaLynx and ask them about Chewy's specific situation.

Good luck. Give Chewy a little hug from his friends on GPC!

madakri · #18 03-07-09, 04:28 pm

Got it, corn husk is the peals of the corn. Didn't know that, nor that it was good for GP's.

Should I give it to Chewy while he's missing his upper teeth?

madakri · #19 03-07-09, 04:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheek Weak

Corn husk is the outer green leaves on ears of corn. You want to peel off the outer (usually dirty) 3 or 4 leaves then feed the rest of the husks to the piggy one per day (keep the extras in a plastic bag in the refrigerator).

I haven't had any experience with teeth problems or trimming, so I can't answer your other questions. Hopefully, someone will read this and be able to advise you on it. You can also register on GuineaLynx and ask them about Chewy's specific situation.

Good luck. Give Chewy a little hug from his friends on GPC!

Thank you wheek.

**Wheek Weak** · #20 03-07-09, 04:32 pm

You're welcome. Wish I could have been more help.

A lot of piggies have tooth trimming done on a regular basis. I think you just need to make sure it's done by a VERY competent cavy vet, or a veterinary dentist, to make sure it's done correctly so the piggy doesn't have problems eating.