Guinea Pig Teeth Problems Symptoms
They have incisors in the front which are the sharp teeth you can see.
Guinea pig teeth problems symptoms. Once you noticed any of these symptoms you need to contact your vet. If your pet has lost appetite has troubles eating or is slobbering these are all early signs of the malocclusion. Signs of a urinary complaint. Other forms of dental disease in guinea pigs include dental abscess formation irregular wear elongation of the tooth roots incisor problems and the presence of sharp spurs that can ulcerate the tongue or cheek.
A guinea pig s teeth will grow their whole lives which means you can end up with a piggy with pretty long teeth. This prevents the tongue from moving normally which means the guinea pig cannot eat properly. Dental problems may develop in a guinea pig for a variety of other reasons. Dental problems in guinea pigs are often the cause of loss of appetite a condition known as anorexia which is why it is essential to get your pet s teeth done as soon as you notice there is a problem.
Incisors are the two large curved teeth in the center of your guinea pig s mouth. One of the first signs is weight loss as the pig is unable to eat properly. They also have molars in the back of their mouths that you cannot see. Symptoms vary for each individual animal and can be very subtle with some guinea pigs presenting with weight loss as their only symptom.
Most teeth issues in younger guinea pigs can be caused as. However your guinea pig will usually let you know in other ways that there is a problem with their teeth beforehand. Occasionally guinea pigs stop eating altogether due to dental problems which can lead to all sorts of other health issues too. Female guinea pigs tend to suffer more with this as a result of getting frequent infections such as cystitis.
Making sure you recognize the symptoms of overgrown teeth will. A guinea pig s teeth grow throughout its life. Dental problems especially overgrown incisors or molars are a frequent cause of gi problems in guinea pigs. If the incisors grow past their lips they re too long.
What symptoms should i watch out for. Other forms of dental disease in guinea pigs include dental abscess formation irregular wear elongation of the tooth roots incisor problems and the presence of sharp spurs that can ulcerate the tongue or cheek. Don t mistake this with a disinterest in food as your pet will likely still show signs of hunger and attempt to eat what you provide them with. The molars are located in the back of the mouth.
If these become overgrown the guinea pig will have trouble eating will lose weight and may slobber. Very quickly a guinea pig with scurvy will develop malocclusion problems with its teeth. Guinea pig teeth have to line up with one another so your pet can eat properly. If you notice your pet has stopped eating you should make an appointment to see a vet as soon as you can.
Without being able to eat a guinea pig can develop gi stasis. For example some guinea pigs may be born with abnormally shaped teeth skull or jaw bones that simply don t line up for proper grinding. You may also find that your guinea pig goes off their food.