Questions on tooth noises after molar trim/syringe feeding

[Dee]

Luke had his molar spurs done on Thursday. All went well and the vet said there was only a little ridge of points, but we are hoping that was the problem because nothing else makes sense. He has been up and down- much better in the evening, even eating a little hay. The early mornings are usually a bad time, but this morning he actually are some greens and banana at 6am so I’m pleased. He gets his metaclopramide and ranitidine at 7am and 7pm, his Metacam at 11am, and syringe feeding and water about every 4 hours throughout the day. He is still not eating much and pooping VERY little, which worries me. I know I must be patient, as some rabbits are slower to recover, and it’s good that Luke is eating anything on his own.

My 2 questions are:

1) Anyone have a rabbit make tooth noises after molar trim? It almost sounds like clucking, the way he runs his teeth together. I noticed him doing that before his teeth. Its not chattering or that loud painful grinding. Someone said it seemed like their bunny was “trying out” his new teeth and I thought maybe that is what Luke is doing.

2) How much should I syringe feed at once and total daily? I’ve been giving him between 10-20 ml of Critical Care, pumpkin and water at a concistency thin enough to drip off a spoon. I’m afraid of giving him too much and hurting his little belly.

Thanks for any advice ☺.

[Wick & Fable]

Depending on the rabbit, molar spurs can result in a modified way in chewing in order to compensate. It takes very small spurs for Wick to begin changing his chew, so following a grinding, some slight click sounds aren’t unheard of as they get used to it. As you mentioned, it is important to differentiate between that and pain grinding.

For his two standard grindings, Wick did pain medication or critical care, aside from the 2 syringes fed when he woke up at the vet’s office, so I cannot speak from 100% direct experience. From general critical care experience,I’d say a rabbit does a good job of letting you know he/she is full. Critical Care is taken very well digestive wise. It’s given when rabbits are health questionable, so giving a lot will not upset the stomach!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Dee]

Thanks so much, Wick- you’re an amazing help to Luke and I! ☺

Now that you mentioned it, I can understand why the bunnies would kind of move their mouths around trying to get used to their new bite. Luke has made a sharp clicking, almost cracking, sound a couple times which alarmed me at first. I thought it was a molar breaking, or a spur still sticking out. But hopefully it’s nothing like that.

Thanks for the advice on the Critical Care too! I have this idea in my mind that I’ll feed him too much at once and he will have an excruciating bellyache. Lukie is VERY dramatic with his tummy- one morning he had gas and he squirmed and squeaked and carried on so much I rushed him to the vet, thinking he had a blockage and would surely need to be put to sleep. Apparently he farted during the car ride because by the time we arrived at the vets, he looked fine. He did get get treated for early stasis though.

Hey, Lukie just ate some oat hay as I was typing!! You brought me luck, Wick! I’ll keep you updated- I also think it’s helpful to leave a “journal” of sorts for other worried bunny parents whose buns are getting the same thing done. I know it’s important to me to read about others experiences.

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