Lord James, Earl of Metallica

[Fluffagrams]

Both procedures aren't without their risks unfortunately but when it came down to it, the vet has to go with what they feel is the most appropriate option at the time.

As Cypher has mentioned, it's unusual to burr teeth without sedation, particularly in a rodent as small as James however sedation itself can be a big risk, particularly as hamsters get older. Not to be too morbid or anything but the worst case scenario is that a hamster may not come round from sedation.

With clipping, they may not need to sedate if an animal is relaxed enough to allow them to do the procedure without (as James was) however the risk with clipping is that the teeth can splinter or shatter like glass which is probably what led to James's tooth loss.

[Coco61]

Poor James. So sorry about the way it went Fluffagrams. Do keep us up to date as to whether his teeth grow back ok.

[chesca_27]

Poor James! Hope his teeth grow back properly. Most vets don't even recommend clipping anymore because it causes fractures or breaks, at least with guinea pigs. The burring is better for trimming teeth (as I learned with Oreo) and can be done consciously if the vet is competent enough (trust me, it comes down to the vet not the animal. Oreo was fine with one vet and terrible with the other). It may be different with hamsters, but I know a fair bit about guinea pig dentistry, because it's so common for guinea pigs to get dental disease.

[Fluffagrams]

To be honest I was surprised when she said she'd clipped his teeth, particularly as my usual vet has always used a burring tool when we used to have to take Meat but this wasn't our usual vet and I was quite upset about it all when I got James home.

From what I have been told, they will burr a rabbit or guinea pig's teeth without sedation at times but because hamsters have smaller mouths, it can be that much harder to do. Of course every vet is different with how confident they feel with doing a procedure without sedation but I'm not sure that this vet was all that experienced in doing it with a small hamster such as a Chinese.

[AprilPearl]

Oh no, not sure what to suggest but hope everything is ok. It's good that he is back to his usual self, but that vet sounds very incompetent! I'd be extremely annoyed if I were you.

[Hamsterita]

I also would be very upset and I wouldn't want to be attended by him/her ever again.

Maybe it wasn't his/her fault, but it sounds to me like the vet over stepped to do something that wasn't used to do

I'm very sorry for you both! I hope his tooth grows back again

[Thin Lizzy]

Oh not my mighty handsome James! The wee love, good to hear he's on the mend and enjoyed his chicken.

[Fluffagrams]

James and I went back to the vets today to see how he's getting on after his visit two weeks ago which saw one of his teeth fall out. We were lucky enough to see our usual vet who has been so good with my hams in the past.
She had a good look as James's teeth and things aren't looking too bad. His top teeth are looking fairly even and the priority there is to carry on encouraging him to chew but keeping an eye on them just to make sure they're not getting too long.

Things are looking promising for his bottom tooth that fell out, she said she could see some growth and is hopeful that it will grow back fully in due course.

James himself was praised for being so good and chilled out about the whole thing. He sat on his hammock when I returned him to his cage hoping for his reward for being so good...

[Hamsterita]

Those are good news! I hope the bottom tooth will grow back again with time!

He really looks like he has doggy begging eyes

[BorisPasha]

Awww well done James for being such a good boy at the vets Good to hear it went well and that there is some growth where he lost his tooth.

James must have learned that look from Jessie I think