Hello All. My 4.5 year old boar has been having right molar issues since Feb 2016. 4 Months later he lost his front bottom teeth and they never grew back. Because of that I go to the vet every 2 weeks to have his front top teeth trimmed. 2 weeks later I go to have the top trimmed and he is put under anesthesia and his molars are reduced and spurs trimmed. He has had at least 12 surgeries (under anesthesia) the last 15 months for his molars. We have reached a point where now both sides are having molar issues and the vet thinks I should come in every 3 weeks for surgery under anesthesia. The last 4 times it has taken him at least 10 days before he starts eating on his own again and usually I have to make a visit to the vet at the 7 day mark because of weight loss and NO eating OR drinking on his own. He completely relies on me for critical care (6 times a day).
In a 4 week span this is our life
Week 1 show up for surgery
Week 2 re-visit vet for post surgery problem to be corrected (no surgery, office visit)
Week 3 re-visit vet for front teeth trim
Week 4 or 5 back for surgery
The question is, how much is enough for my little guy? Now that his condition is getting worse (both sides now), should I consider putting him down or do I keep doing what I am doing? Is this the normal protocol for guinea pigs with malocclusion problems? He has an appetite and is bright eyed but other than that he stays in his pigloo most of the day. The vet says we will keep going until he can't go anymore but I don't want to torture him. The vet is an exotic's vet and has extensive experience with guinea pigs but there always seems to be a problem after his surgery, like a tooth that did not get trimmed 100% and I either get it trimmed without sedation or I pay to have a second surgery a week later.
Thank you for any and all advice/experiences.
I live in the US if that is helpful.
In a 4 week span this is our life
Week 1 show up for surgery
Week 2 re-visit vet for post surgery problem to be corrected (no surgery, office visit)
Week 3 re-visit vet for front teeth trim
Week 4 or 5 back for surgery
The question is, how much is enough for my little guy? Now that his condition is getting worse (both sides now), should I consider putting him down or do I keep doing what I am doing? Is this the normal protocol for guinea pigs with malocclusion problems? He has an appetite and is bright eyed but other than that he stays in his pigloo most of the day. The vet says we will keep going until he can't go anymore but I don't want to torture him. The vet is an exotic's vet and has extensive experience with guinea pigs but there always seems to be a problem after his surgery, like a tooth that did not get trimmed 100% and I either get it trimmed without sedation or I pay to have a second surgery a week later.
Thank you for any and all advice/experiences.
I live in the US if that is helpful.