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Post by Jeannine on Jun 9, 2011 21:22:13 GMT
Ok, dumb question...how short should the front teeth be? I just had one of my pigs teeth clipped, she broke a bottom one and they were way too long. However I'm not sure if the vet clipped the top short enough. Could this be because the bottom was clipped very short that he left the tops long. It seems like she is having trouble opening her mouth wide enough to eat. I just gave her a little home grown strawberry and it seemed like she was mushing it and licking at it over nibbling, like the other pigs were doing. Please advise on teeth.
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Post by yodelpig on Jun 9, 2011 22:22:01 GMT
Are you sure that the back teeth (molars) are OK??? Has your vet checked them properly or just treated the front teeth? Front teeth should normally be self sharpening; they only can't do that if the back teeth themselves are overgrown or if the front teeth are not aligned properly. Front teeth always look too long, especially the bottom teeth. Most tooth trouble is due to problems with molars that have grown spurs when they are not ground down evenly when chewing. www.guinealynx.info/malocclusion.html
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 10, 2011 12:33:47 GMT
As far as I know, the length for pigs is the same as for humans. Baically the teeth should overlap top/bottom to allow for optimal chewing, should fit together so the mouth can close completely, and should not touch the gums of the opposite teeth. Does that make sense?
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Post by Jeannine on Jun 10, 2011 15:02:04 GMT
yes...The vet was ill and didnt actually talk to me, just gave Gigi to the tech who took in the back room and cam out with clipped teeth. The bottoms are very short, because one broke off, so he trimmed the other to match, perhaps he left the tops long because the bottoms were so short. Now I'm questioning the vet...maybe he is not the guinea pig specialist he claimed to be. With Gigi being so frail I would worry about her going under anesthetic.
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Post by yodelpig on Jun 10, 2011 20:04:53 GMT
Did the tech say anything about back teeth? It sounds very much like a classic botch job by somebody who hasn't got a clue what he is about and creates even more problems.
You can see and feel for molars yourself. Gently clean the mouth pouches with a cotton bud and then feel around with it - the sides of the mouth should be fairly even and not have any hard outcrops.
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Post by Jeannine on Jun 11, 2011 0:01:39 GMT
Yodel pig, you are the best, more karma for you!!! Thanks for reassuring me that I'm not crazy! I love my little Gigi so much and as you know have been having some issues with her for the past year.
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 11, 2011 12:52:05 GMT
OH, you're defiinetly not crazy. But if the tech did it for the sick doctor, the doc may be as good as claimed. I would demand some free treatment and that the vet not only give Gigi a complete physical, but make himself available to deal with any other teeth issues while the bottom teeth are growing back. When will they learn it's best to not do work they can't do right, than to just do something???
Hugs!!!
I don't think Gigi should or needs to be put under anesthesia. I think either the real vet can do the job right, or he can refer you to someone who can.
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