Cheek Teeth Angled Wrong??

[Caspar'sHome]

Hi guys!

The other day I had a big scare. My Caspar stopped eating and wouldn’t get out of his litter box for any reason at all. So by 9:00 pm that day I decided to take him to the emergency vet which is 1 hour away. When I got there, they found he was perfectly healthy, and suspected gas. They gave him an IV and some gas medicine (metoclopramide syrup) and within 10 minutes he was perfectly fine. However, they then told me that during their exam, they found that his teeth in the back (molars) are not aligned and are slanted bilaterally to the left. (The direction of a backward slash) \
So they sent the diagnosis to my regular vet, and then next day my regular vet called and made an appointment for that day. I went and she confirmed what the emergency vet said in that he has misaligned molars slanting to the left. Anyway, she told me it’s very early and is very treatable and manageable. She said that teeth trimmings will need to be done at least every 8-12 months at this point. He has some sharpness to his teeth on the side nearest to his tongue, but is vertical instead of horizontal so it isn’t causing him any discomfort. Anyhow, she said it will cost upwards of $300 each time. $300 being if it goes perfectly. I don’t have $300 every 8 months or earlier as I’m only a student and cannot afford it. Im definitely not getting rid of him so that’s not an option. I called around vet insurance but they don’t cover preventative procedures (which is what they said that teeth trimmings are categorized as)
I asked if it could be a one time procedure, she said probably not because it is a life long problem now. But I don’t know if it is just because she’s a vet and charges money upfront AND afterwards, and may be wanting more money, or if this will be an ongoing stress for me.

Is there any way that after the first teeth trimming (scheduled for January), he will never need it again?
Like if I give him really hard hay or something? He doesn’t chew wood and I don’t know why.
I really don’t want him to be put under every year. I’ve read some other forums and some people said that their bunnies never needed it again, but they were talking about the front incisors I think.

Thanks

Ps: the vet said that even if she corrects the teeth on all four sides of the mouth, and it fits together, they will eventually go back to the same angle they are now and will still need to be trimmed regularly. I really need all the help you can give guys!!!

????

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry to hear this as I can definitely relate. My Bindi has to go in every 5 months or so for the last few years to get his molar trimmed. The vet never mentioned anything about angle, they just grow in a way that can’t be ground down naturally. I guess it would probably make sense that Bindi’s are angled wrong as well.

So from my experience, no it was def not a one-time thing. It’s been a pretty big stress for us as well. Thankfully, my vet does not charge as much as yours quoted but it’s a huge stress having to put him under so frequently as he’s getting on in years. My boy is 9 now.

How old is your bunny? I’m asking because dental problems can often get worse as bunny ages.

I suggest you call around to other vets and ask their prices. That seems really expensive to me but that might be normal in your area. If that is the actual amount, perhaps you can arrange a monthly payment plan instead of having to come up with the big chunk of it every 8 months.

[kirstyol]

Bramble has malaligned molars too, just the shape of his face according to the vet. I am afraid I don’t have good news for you, Bramble is two and a half years old and has had four or five dentals but we are getting longer in between them by trying every hay under the sun until his intake improved (he is a fussy bugger) we are now seven months since his last dental and not due for another check up till February, although it wouldn’t be the first time I have had to take him in as an emergency for a dental.

Insurance will not cover dental unless its related to an accident somehow and it is a mega stressful thing. however the good news is that although Bramble was in a terrible state the first time round, he bounces back really well from dentals now and doesn’t seem terribly stressed out by them anymore (weirdo bun seems to like the vets).

I am in the UK so cant really comment on price as its bound to be different but what you were quoted is much more than I pay, but then rabbit care is cheaper here since rabbits are ‘regular’ pets here rather than exotics. I would definitely call a few vets and ask what they charge though, it cant hurt after all.

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