Can you tell me what I should do to help my bunny?

Question

My poor Smoky. He is just over a year old and it was just discovered that he has malocclusion. By the time I noticed his teeth were growing up through his nose. I hold him and handle him every day but I never noticed until I saw his teeth coming out of his nose. I don't want any nasty comments or I will report you. I am very good to my rabbits. It has taught me to be aware of all my pets teeth. Has anyone else had this problem with their pets? I clipped the teeth myself and I did a good job but I am wondering what next? Do I need to trim them monthly or should they be removed? I read that bunnies don't need wood chews because their teeth should be worn down by grinding together but this obviously won't work with Smoky. Will this affect how he eats? What foods can I feed him? Are there soft foods that I can feed him? One of his teeth fell out? Will that tooth grow back? I would appreciate any helpful comment. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I've had a bunny with maloclusion.  I trimmed his teeth on a regular basis, gave him things to chew, hay block, wood, gypsum.  He ate a normal bunny diet.  I just had to be sure I kept a close eye on his teeth and kept them trimmed.

Here are a couple of sites that have loads of information

http://www.medirabbit.com/

http://www.arba.net/faq.htm

Answer 2

No, bunnies do need wood to chew! wood is definatly something you need to have! I check my bunny daily to be sure her teeth are normal, and she hops okay, and everything looks fine, this is something I reccomend all rabbit owners do, spot check every day, look at teeth, eyes, nose, ears, mouth to be sure they all look fine, then I reccommend do an all around checkup every week, just check his gentile areas, check his nose, ears, eyes, mouth, teeth, feet, urine, droppings, eating/Drinking, hopping normal, ect.

Yes, this will affect how he eats, and his mouth is probably really sore right now, so you'll need to give him soft fruit such as pears, cantelope, bananas, and other soft fruits, with no citrus, citrus will probably sting right now.

Also, I suggest grinding up his pellets, and then adding a bit of warm water to it, so it's basically wet dust. I've heard a coffee grinder works best for this, but you can also jsut smash them up.

I like to add a tablespoon or two of apple juice, to Holliee's water, it gives it a bit of a taste, and it encourages her to drink more, try this with Smokey, you can also do Cranberry Juice, and orange juice, but again, no citrus, so don't do orange just yet,

I would also talk to a vet if it looks like it's getting infected, or something, be sure to keep it clean, and maybe put antibiotics on.

I hope he gets better! And will be okay!

Answer 3

Yes get Wood

that will really help the teeth problem and check them regularly.

You could get flavored wood to help them want to chew

I hope this helps  

Answer 4

Awwwwww im sorry wood will help his teeth and carrorts to and yes the teeth will grow back =] my rabbit is 8 and his teeth dont grow crazzy call the vet maybe they will help or call a pet store and ask them what they can give ur rabbit well i hope i help take care=]

Answer 5

There was a rabbit at the rabbit shelter that I worked at who had this problem. Her name was Phaedra and she came from a neglectful home. Turns out that her teeth were extremely overgrown. Her teeth must be trimmed monthly. Things to chew on help. It does wear down teeth so give him some. Bunnies do grind their teeth but the chews should be the biggest thing for him.

After trimming his teeth, if he doesn't eat his pellets (which should consist of only pellets, no seeds!) you will have to feed him critical care. This can be bought from Oxbow co. It is basically a mashed up pellet solution that you mix with water to turn to liquid. It must be suringe fed if it wont eat the stuff out of a bowl. Mashing up the pellets yourself isn't the same. The critical care has extras in it that you bunny needs right now to get better. Applesauce really helps when you are trying to encourage your bun to eat.

I'm not a rabbit dentist but you should definately find one.They shouldn't cost more than a regular vet. I personally don't think that the tooth will grow back but I am not experienced. The dentist will tell you the best path for your bunny. Bunnies can live without teeth, and if your bunny only lost one it should be ok.

When you take it to the vet, ask for medicam, or if its neccessary. It is  a pain reliever. .3cc's should be the right amount. If you give him too much he could die. so only .(point)3 cc's.

After this whole ordeal is over with something you should do is weekly checks. We do this at the rabbit shelter I work at because bunnies can get problems and you don't notice them unless you look for them.

Good luck!