I just got off the phone from someone that is going to buy dust from me. She said that she just got her chin back from surgery on his teeth. She said that is was the back teeth they did the surgery on. Wouldn't this be mallacusion? I told her she should tell the breeder that it is genetics. She said that the breeder is still breeding and the siblings has no problem. I guess this person is still breeding a lot of chins. I will be meeting this person Tuesday to give her the dust. Do I need to tell her anything else.?
Mallacusion
- Thread starter Snickers
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AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
It isn't necessarily malocclusion from genetics. Chinchillas can experience tooth problems for numerous reasons many of which have no genetic cause. Infection can cause issues, as can tooth spurs that occur from uneven wear or from other things like something getting stuck in the tooth, small irritations that can keep a chin from chewing properly, etc etc. It is very possibly to have a chin with this type of issue without it affecting any other animals in the bloodline.
You should ask this person what the vet thinks caused the problem. Ask about root elongation and any other signs that point to it being a genetic issue. There is so much more to tooth problems than just stating that it is genetic and letting that cover all chins. It can happen with any chinchilla or any animals that have constantly growing teeth, for that matter.
For example, I had a 12 year old female with a small spur in the back teeth that caused a slight drooling problem. The vet fixed the spur and she never had another problem with her teeth and is doing great well over a year later. That was definitely not a genetic problem. So, in the case of this woman you should ask her what the vet had to do and if it really truly was a genetic issue before saying that the breeder did something wrong. A small spur in a back tooth without root elongation probably has nothing to do with genetics.
You should ask this person what the vet thinks caused the problem. Ask about root elongation and any other signs that point to it being a genetic issue. There is so much more to tooth problems than just stating that it is genetic and letting that cover all chins. It can happen with any chinchilla or any animals that have constantly growing teeth, for that matter.
For example, I had a 12 year old female with a small spur in the back teeth that caused a slight drooling problem. The vet fixed the spur and she never had another problem with her teeth and is doing great well over a year later. That was definitely not a genetic problem. So, in the case of this woman you should ask her what the vet had to do and if it really truly was a genetic issue before saying that the breeder did something wrong. A small spur in a back tooth without root elongation probably has nothing to do with genetics.
lilchinchilla
Well-known member
Maybe, suggest x rays and culturing of the saliva, to rule out any infection.
With x rays, they may show that sometimes teeth can get cracked or chins can develop abscesses under or around teeth; which these problems can also mimic malocclusion type of symptoms. Cracked or broken teeth, can cause a lot of pain and the chinchilla won't chew properly and may drool, which can appear like malo too.
Food getting stuck between teeth can also appear like genetic malo, as it can cause inflammation, which if not treated quickly, can cause infection or for tooth spurs to happen (since the chin may not be chewing properly on one side of the mouth if it hurts too much.).
If x rays show root elongation, then it probably is genetic.
With x rays, they may show that sometimes teeth can get cracked or chins can develop abscesses under or around teeth; which these problems can also mimic malocclusion type of symptoms. Cracked or broken teeth, can cause a lot of pain and the chinchilla won't chew properly and may drool, which can appear like malo too.
Food getting stuck between teeth can also appear like genetic malo, as it can cause inflammation, which if not treated quickly, can cause infection or for tooth spurs to happen (since the chin may not be chewing properly on one side of the mouth if it hurts too much.).
If x rays show root elongation, then it probably is genetic.
