A healthy mouth is important to a rabbit.Your rabbit will be able to eat his food if his mouth is healthy.If he has dental problems, he will be unable to chew his food properly and he may become very sick.Taking care of your rabbit's dental problems will help him eat his normal diet and stay healthy.
Step 1: Look for signs of dental problems.
Rabbits are good at hiding their pain.There are other clues that your rabbit is having dental problems.One of the most common clues is an eating disorder.Other clinical signs of dental problems include weight loss, bulging eyes, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, long teeth, and slobbering.It is possible that your rabbit will become a picky eater.There are signs of dental issues in rabbits.
Step 2: There are a lot of dental problems in rabbits.
There are many dental problems in rabbits, including tusk-like incisors, molar spurs, and loose teeth.There are pockets of infections in the tooth.Sometimes dental problems can be caused by trauma, such as accidentally getting stepped on, which can lead to jaw damage and difficulty eating.
Step 3: Don't ignore your rabbit's dental issues.
Major illness can be caused by undetected dental problems.An overgrown incisors can grow into some of the soft areas of your rabbit's mouth, increasing his risk of infections.If his dental issues are preventing him from eating, your rabbit could suffer from a number of health issues.In extreme cases, dental problems in rabbits can become life threatening.
Step 4: You should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
If you notice signs of dental problems in your rabbit, take him to the vet as soon as possible.The quicker your rabbit is treated, the quicker he can get back to normal rabbit activities.If your rabbit has dental problems, take it to a vet.Ask your current vet to recommend a local vet with experience in rabbit dentistry.
Step 5: Your animal's mouth should be examined by your vet.
If you've noticed signs of dental problems, your doctor will be able to take a closer look at the problem.A rabbit's mouth is small, so your vet will likely sedate him to examine it.Skull x-rays are used to get a better look at your rabbit's teeth.Your vet may not have access to the magnetic resonance techniques that are helpful.During your appointment, tell your vet about your rabbit's diet.Tell us about the signs of dental problems.
Step 6: Discuss treatment options with your doctor.
You can make an informed treatment decision by discussing these options.Rabbit dental problems can be treated with trimming or removal of the teeth.Antibiotics would be needed.If needed, pain medication is given.It can get expensive to treat dental problems in rabbits.The treatment plan you and your vet decide on should address your rabbit's pain and needs.
Step 7: Allow your vet to treat your rabbit.
Rabbit dental problems need veterinary care.A dental burr is an instrument that can be used to trim teeth.It is safer to use a dental burr than it is to clip the teeth.It can be painful to clip the teeth, and can lead to tooth fractures.Your rabbit may need to have his teeth trimmed regularly.Many rabbit owners decide to have their teeth removed after several trims.spurs can either curve inward toward your rabbit's tongue or outward toward his cheeks.Spurs are very sharp and can cause a lot of pain, so it's important for your vet to remove them with a burr.bacteria can travel beyond the gum line and cause facial abscesses with loose teethIf your rabbit's dental problems become so bad, your vet would need to remove as much of the abscess as possible, along with removing the affected teeth and even part of his jaw.If your rabbit has dental problems that are related to trauma, your vet may need to do more extensive treatment.
Step 8: Provide at- home care for your rabbit.
Feed your rabbit fresh vegetables and high-quality hay is one of the most important aspects of at- home care.If he can't eat his normal diet, you can give him a critical care formula that will keep him nourished.Your vet would be able to recommend a formula.You may need to cut the vegetables into small pieces if he can eat his normal food.Administer antibiotics or pain medication according to your doctor's instructions.After surgery, your rabbit may be a bit slow and sleepy, but you should be able to get him back to his normal routine after a few days.If your rabbit isn't eating, you need to talk to your vet.
Step 9: Schedule regular veterinary exams.
Your rabbit needs regular dental exams.An annual dental examination is one of the best ways to prevent dental problems in your rabbit.Your vet would be able to assess your rabbit's dental health and recommend changes to his diet to keep his teeth healthy.
Step 10: Feed your rabbit lots of hay.
Hay is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for your rabbit.Rabbits need to grind their teeth from side to side, and hay encourages this horizontal grinding.Providing your rabbit with a constant supply of fresh, high-quality hay will help keep his teeth worn down after treatment and will prevent further dental problems.Hay can wear down your rabbit's teeth.
Step 11: Decrease the rabbit's intake of food.
Up-and-down grinding is promoted by pellets and treats.This will not wear down your rabbit's teeth, which could lead to overgrown teeth.You don't need to eliminate treats completely from your rabbit's diet.Make sure he has plenty of hay on which to grind his teeth by reducing his intake of these foods.
Step 12: Your rabbit should be given different items to chew on.
Your rabbit will appreciate having multiple chewing options.Wooden sticks, willow sticks and wicker balls are good chews for rabbits.Your rabbit will love playing with homemade toys such as empty toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and old cotton towels.The items should be replaced when they start to look damaged.It is not a substitute for veterinary treatment of dental disease to have chew toys.