Help please- overgrown teeth

[Silvi&Gingi]

Hi everyone, I need some advice, (i live in Sydney, Australia) I have a beautiful dwarf lop rabbit named Silvi who’s a year old, I have had him since he was 8 weeks old. Last week I noticed he had over grown teeth, his bottom teeth came up slightly over his top teeth. I had to take him to a “rabbit specialist” vet who charges (wait for it!) $680 to file them down (this includes an X-ray, blood test, anaesthetic n filing)! The vet said she recommends extraction of the top and bottom incisor teeth (front ones) at a cost of (you won’t believe this!) $1000!!!!! We can’t afford either procedure but something had to be done so I rang around a few “normal” vets and found one who would file the teeth under an anaesthetic for $200. I took him for the procedure, the vet filed them down but said that malocclusion usually means that they will overgrow back every 6 weeks, I love my bunny but I can’t afford to spend $200 every six weeks, he said eating a correct diet of hay will help but probably won’t cure the overgrown teeth. I have given them chew toys, bunny safe wood pieces as well. My rabbits don’t really eat hay, I wonder if his issue is only dietary or if its a genetic thing. Anyway, I think I need to be taught how to file the teeth myself, he is a gentle, docile rabbit and I think I will be able to do it if taught the right way. The problem is that I think many vets here will be reluctant to show me how…. How can I find out how to do it and how can I make him (and his buddy) eat hay? Appreciate any advice!!

[dusky2012]

Hi, I adopted a mini lop with overgrown teeth who had both bottom and top front teeth removed. His top ones weren’t done properly unfortunately so they grew back. Luckily we noticed this and had an X-ray done, turned out the roots were growing towards his mouth and we’re just about to puncture into his mouth which was very painful for him. Personally I would get them removed. He has been much happier since and has had no problems adjusting. Obviously I don’t know if this would happen to your rabbit too, but that is my experience.

[bpash89]

I’ve never heard of anyone filing their rabbits teeth themselves and it isn’t something I would recommend. It should be done by a qualified vet especially when it involves administering anesthesia. I would focus your efforts and getting your bunnies to eat hay and hopefully you can at least prolong the times between vet visits if it is in fact a genetic issue that will be reoccurring.
Keeping hay in the litter box helps encourage good litter habits as well as upping their intake of hay. Rabbits like to munch while doing their business. If they are reluctant hay eaters you could try different types of hay and see what they prefer. Anything that is not alfalfa is fine (timothy, meadow, oat). You will just have to experiment and see what your bunnies like. Some people will cut back on pellets temporarily (or permanently depending on how much they are being fed) in order to encourage them to eat hay.

[Silvi&Gingi]

The cost of getting an extraction is prohibitive, we can’t afford $1000. I have done a little research; a number of people have been taught to file their bunny’s teeth by their vet as it needed to be done regularly. I think I also read (on this site?) of someone who filed her bunny’s with a metal nail file with great success. Has anyone filed their bunny’s teeth on their own?

[Sarita]

I would discuss the option of filing your rabbit’s with a vet as they can show you how to properly do this. Having hands on experience is going to be better and more beneficial than anything else.

The problem with the incisors is that even chewing hay is not going help since they are not used to chew.

[Beka27]

Yes, hay helps the back molars most of all. Incisors are for biting, molars are for grinding (which is the action needed to break down hay).

Did the vet file/grind the teeth or clip them? I’ve heard of rabbit incisors being able to be clipped without anesthesia (usually done by the vet or an experienced vet tech), but I don’t know about filing the front teeth. Maybe it’s just a terminology issue? Filing is going to take longer than clipping, and I would think it would be unlikely to be able to keep a rabbit still long enough to accomplish that without anesthesia.

Did you ask the vet about your options for maintaining this yourself at home?

[Silvi&Gingi]

I haven’t asked the vet to show me I’m hoping against hope I can maintain the teeth via diet but I don’t think any vet here in Sydney is going to show me- I’ve read about all these fabulous vets in UK n US who do this or charge a small amount for filing- $200 every 4-6 weeks is outrageous and totally unaffordable for us

[Silvi&Gingi]

I saw a video on bunnycentral.com of a lady (was she a vet?) effortlessly clipping her bunny’s teeth with a pair of clippers ( this bunny’s teeth were like tusks though!). I don’t have the courage to do that, it looked easy but i would hate to clip them n the tooth got damaged etc, I think I would prefer to file them, I was thinking if I filed them soon after they were professionally filed by the vet, before they got too long,then I could keep up the maintenance…… Any ideas?
I believe the vet filed them, he didn’t clip them coz they weren’t overly long
The vet’s advice was to change his diet…… I’m so confused!!!!

[Roberta]

I know you have said you cannot afford the grand for extraction but seriously… I think for your own peace of mind as well as your bunnies health it’s time to consider extending your credit card limit..
Look at it this way, 1K = 6 months worth of maintenance. You can pay the $1000 and know that the worst is over or struggle to find the $200 every month for who knows how many years OR watch your bunny suffer… I know things are tight, Goddess knows there are times I have gone without because the pets needed vet treatment or there wasn’t enough to buy food for for them and me… I figured that I understood an empty plate where as they didn’t…… I’ve begged borrowed, bought classic and made my winter sweaters last 3 decades, extended my Synergy Bill due date and had garage sales to raise funds…. I am planning my first trip to the hairdressers in 6 years ( the arthritis is making it hard to keep cutting my own).
I know it seems easy for someone else to say, they aren’t in your shoes, but trust me, I have been there. Take the hit now and it will save you grief and dollars down the track. I was born and raised in Sydney, lived in Hobart, Melbourne and Now Perth… The cost of living here is high and the only way we can contend with it is through strategy… Pick the best option…One big outlay against a progressive crippling cost…. If it comes to that get a credit card purely for vet emergencies, I have one, or consider a http://www.nimble.com.au loan.

[Roberta]

You can also discuss an installment plan with your Vet… Most of them now have financiers for this purpose who will cover you for fortnightly repayments.

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