Dental work: mother and daughter both need it

[JustMyNature]

I have had a mother and daughter pair for about two years. We got them from a young girl on Craigslist who bought them from a breeder. The mother is about 7 years and the baby is about 3 years. Both eat Mazuri pellets and love them. They were eating rabbit food when I adopted them (she gave me a small supply when I took them) but I could not find it in a feed store near me so I had them on Petsmart food until I researched on here that Mazuri was a recommended food. They seemed to have lost interest in hay when I switched them to Mazuri which was over a year ago now.

Less than a month ago both started drooling with their chins and chests wet. I'm mad that I did not take them to the vet when I adopted them because we would have an idea of their healthy weight. I can tell that Momma has lost weight since we got her. They saw my vet I use for small animals and she tried to get a look in their mouth. She saw some redness in Momma's cheek but could not see well enough in Baby. Momma also had an odor of infection. Momma was put on antibiotics for about a week and they both were put on Metacam for four days. The infection smell went away and both stopped drooling with the pain relief. However a few days after being off the Metacam the drooling came back but not as much wetness as before. Momma also started showing signs of fur chewing on her legs and back- not sure if she is just chewing herself or if Baby is too.

I called my vet again and she then referred them to an exotic specialist at Ocean State in RI. My vet gave me more Metacam to help relieve the pain while waiting for their appointment. Yesterday they saw the specialist and she knew by looking at both their incisors that there is misalignment in the jaw/teeth. In Momma's mouth she could see the molars on the top curling out toward the cheek on the left side. For Baby chin she could not see all of the molars towards the back but she could tell their is an issue from the wear pattern on her incisors. Also, for as long as I can remember Baby chin has been one to paw at her mouth when taking treats. I read that as a symptom of teeth issues as I have been researching lately.

The vet wants to do dental work on both and says she is optimistic. She believes they lost interest in hay because of the change in food and lack of hay caused this. I continued to offer hay but I could tell they did not prefer it and I should have known it was an issue.
The vet did not want to do x-rays until they are already put under for the dental work. So we do not know if their are issues with the roots, just that the molars are growing outward.
She said that this dental work could help for a few years. When I initially talked to her on the phone I knew I wanted to treat them but at the appointment she said she will probably have to do two procedures to correct the issues which made me upset. I don't know if they can (or I can) handle the stress of multiple procedures. I know they are in pain and that is not something I want them to experience anymore or again if this is going to be a reoccurring issue. Now our options are should we move forward with the procedures or should we euthanize? Are environmental teeth issues more manageable or will they need teeth procedures for the rest of their lives now that they have already started? I can't imagine the pain they would feel every time the teeth start to cause problems again. Also the force/hand feeding they would need after each procedure since they do not enjoy the Metacam syringing now.
I have been crying for days. They are so bonded I also can't imagine how the other would feel if one does not make it, especially Momma since the vet noticed a pronounced heart murmur while listening to her heart. She can do the procedure on both on Thursday (Oct 8th) but wants our decision on Monday (Oct 5) if we are going to move forward with dental work or if we will be euthanizing.

Please comment with your experience with chins with dental issues. I would like advice on our options. I want what is best for them. I don't want to put them through repeated stress if their teeth with consistently need work for the rest of their lives. However does anyone think there is a chance we could get them on another pellet food so they will eat hay again? They still love their blue cloud rock and pumice stone but that does not help wear their molars from what I understand.

I really wish I knew more about prevention of these issues before they arose. I should have been more educated before I adopted them or when I first got them. I love them, and seeing them cuddled up together warms my heart. But now I look at them and knowing they are in pain breaks my heart. I want to do what is best for their quality of life. Thank you for reading and I appreciate any advice.

 

[Dreamlite]

If the teeth are misaligned then it was not caused by the change in feed. Misalignment is genetic or caused by injury. Since they are related and both have similar issues I would be more likely to Jean towards genetic.
Xrays are best done under anesthesia. Most chins are not calm enough to do them while they are aware. I would advise getting them done so you know if there is any root involvement. Assuming it's just misjudgment, your can get dentals done every month to 3 months to maintain them, but it's not something that can be cured.
You can get a kitchen scale that measures in grams to help monitor weight at home. If you decide to do the dental be sure they send you home with antibiotics, probiotics, pain meds and critical care. They will likely need syringe feed for a while before they start eating on their own.
Teeth is never something fun to deal with. Good luck with your appointment

 

[Snickers]

Ticklechin is probably the best person that help you with mouth issues. I never had luck with mouth issues. Good luck.

 

[ticklechin]

If these were my chins, I would have them both put under and have the x-rays done-there can be issues with the one with the murmur but without more info on what the class is its hard to say, if the x-rays look good meaning there is no/little elongation then have the teeth trimmed and see what happens. If you are lucky the chewing habits caused the issue and putting them on limited pellets and several varietes of hay may work-Mazuri is a high protein pellet and makes them feel full quicker so they don't chew as much. I would put these chins on a low protein high fiber diet after they are recovered from the procedure-that can take a few weeks so make sure they are hand fed and on pain meds. If the x-rays come back with elongation then I would euthanize both to be honest with you since they are direct relations.

After the first time I would see how long between filings they can go. I have had them where they need to be filed every 3-4 weeks, some every 2-4 years so its a waiting game to see how it plays out.