Grinding it's teeth

[Tugaudzius]

My chinchilla boy is grinding it's teeth pretty badly for a few weeks now, lately almost non-stop. Just today I noticed that he is more quiet and not interested in food. If I take him out he runs around but keeps on grinding his teeth, once back in the cage goes straight to his house and hides. I did check his belly is okay, no hair ring either. His bottom teeth aren't straight (one side higher than another).
Tomorrow is Sunday and there will be no vet that I can take him to, I will go and get pumice stone. What else can I do?

 

[Claire D]

Is he eating & drinking? Sounds to me like you need a vet visit for dental xrays - uneven incisors can be a problem & they can be stand alone (i.e. the chin broke one off by accident) or can be an indication of molar problems (molar issues can lead to incisors not being straight......).

If he is not eating you will have to help him - he needs food in his gut to keep it functioning - if you don't have Oxbow Critical Care or Supreme Science recovery food then muching up some pellets in warm water & then feeding him that soft food should help - he really does need to see a vet though as grinding teeth can indicate pain.