Teeth!

danielle · 06-28-2010, 05:31 AM

Hey. Has been a while since I posted!
I've got a problem with my WW Nell's teeth. The top ones had overgrown and bent under and I had to get them trimmed by the vet under anaesthetic about 3 weeks ago. Over the weekend I noticed that she was struggling to eat again and when I had a look they'd overgrown and bent under again. I had no idea they grew so quickly!
On taking her back to the vet this morning, I feared the worst when the vet said it would be traumatic for Nell (and expensive) to keep anaesthetising her to trim her teeth and I might have to think about having her put to sleep. Luckily Nell is very placid and allowed the vet to trim her teeth without anaesthetising her and so I was very relieved! However, now she's home and her teeth are short and normal looking, she's still reluctant to bite/chew and tends to lick at her food. Any ideas why this might be? She's not obviously in any pain and the teeth look fine so I can't figure it out. If she doesn't start chewing again, she'll have to keep having her teeth trimmed and she's lost some weight too from not eating properly. I'm really worried so would welcome any suggestions/ideas! Thanks!

**Hope** · 06-28-2010, 05:41 AM

Sorry to hear about yuor little one.

Coyld it be that her mouth is a bit sore either due to the teeth being so long perviously and the had dug in and cut the skin, or the cutting, the vet may have nicked a bit of gum accidently??

Tyr mashing her food up for her with a pestle and mortar (or a hammer and a tea towel!) and see if this is more manageable for her. You could also try giving her some soft food such as baby food that comes in jars with no onion or spices, or some weetabix or porridge made with a little milk and water, or soya milk if you have it.

It seems such a shame to put an otherwise healthy ham down, could you come to an arrangement with the vet as she is going to need regular teeth trims for the rest of her life?? Might be worth asking?

fluffymunchkins · 06-28-2010, 09:53 AM

Hopes already given great advice, it seems that she just needs a little care in the food she has.
Maybe you could get the vet to teach you how to trim teeth to save you the trouble?
Lots of older hams and hams with teeth problems like to soak their food in porridge

danielle · 07-02-2010, 02:16 AM

Hey guys- thanks a lot for your sympathy and wisdom!
I spoke to the vet again and she reckons there's some kind of tooth deformity so Nell won't be able to bite properly at all. Hopefully, she'll be able to show me how to do the teeth trimming myself next time I go. It's hard to realise that it's something to 'manage' rather than cure but now that I know, I can at least try and deal with it. I've taken your advice and started bashing up her food and moistening it, chopping bits of veg etc. into tiny pieces and I've bought lots of baby food! I'm determined she'll be able to still get enjoyment from food and that she'll put some weight back on!
Thanks again for your advice

**Hope** · 07-02-2010, 02:22 AM

Aww, so glad to hear this! I'm sure that you will get the hang of teeth trimming in no time and she still sounds like a very happy hammie, getting lots of fun and enjoyment out of life, so glad that you are not going to have to put her down.

I hope that she gets on ok and puts a bit of weight on.

Thanks for updating - its always nice to hear how people and their hammies get on!

fluffymunchkins · 07-02-2010, 09:42 AM

yes, thanks for the update, i'm glad your willing to help her as many people get put off by these things