Honey's teeth

majey · 05-03-2010, 02:23 PM

I came down this morning to find blood all over Honey's cage. She had got one of her teeth hooked around a bar and presumably pulled until the tooth came out. Thankfully she is fine, but she is going in tomorrow to have the other 3 teeth removed. She is now needing her teeth trimmed every week and so we have decided to try the op. Otherwise she is going to have no quality of life.

Assuming she survives (vet gives her 50/50 chance) what will she be able to eat?

Also, we got Honey from a pet shop. The first vet we saw thought Honey must have had an accident, but today's vet said that her jaws are so badly misaligned that she must have been born like that. Is it chance that Honey has horrible teeth or could this be from unsuitable hamsters breeding? I would hate to think of lots of other little hamsters struggling to enjoy life because their teeth are so bad.

Best wishes
Marje

fluffymunchkins · 05-03-2010, 02:29 PM

Poor honey, all my best wishes!
It is possibly a result of bad breeding, but I'm unsure whether she could be born like this as a one off.
I've never had to do a diet for a ham like this. But she would most likely have a mushy food, consisting of finely ground pellets, baby food, porridge and other things.
Another member will be able to give more advise.

souffle · 05-04-2010, 04:22 AM

You could PM moderator spud's mum and ask her advice as she had a hamster with this problem who lived to a good age.
Hamsters do have back teeth so they can still eat some hard foods as they grind against the hard palate. It is important to keep the fibrous element of feeding up so you need to put normal mix through a food processor to grind it small. Seeds without shells are best like sunflower hearts and also small seeds.
Soaking the biscuit parts to soften them can encourage her to eat these. You can give things like wholemeal bread and cooked pasta,
I hope the op is a success
XX

helenp · 05-04-2010, 04:27 AM

I hope she gets through the op ok.

ameyjaney · 05-04-2010, 08:23 AM

I hoep she gets through ok, sending hugs

Fidgetthefirst · 05-04-2010, 11:13 AM

I hope she pulls through, sure she will

majey · 05-04-2010, 12:17 PM

Thanks to all who sent their best wishes. Honey is doing well and looks so much more comfortable even though she has just had her teeth out. My daughter patiently smashed some hamster food into smaller pieces and Honey has been eating it already. She is on antibiotics for 5 days and there is just a chance that one tooth may grow back so we just have to keep an eye on that. She has changed where she sleeps - I think she is in the huff with us now!

**Hope** · 05-04-2010, 12:48 PM

Aww bless her, so glad that it all went well and that she is now feeling more comfortable

And that she is eating is a great sign

ameyjaney · 05-04-2010, 01:00 PM

Glad it went well for her. Keep us updated on her progress

fluffymunchkins · 05-04-2010, 01:01 PM

thats good to hear she is still eating and getting better

Hope she continues to improve!