I was hoping someone could give me more insight on my chin Morton's situation. He is 5 1/2 and we thought he was showing signs of maloclussion. It started with wettness around the eye awhile ago but he was still eating and acting normally. We took him to the vet and she have us an antibiotic and eye drops, it went away but came back. Then we noticed awhile later he was making crumbs of his food. Then just last night we noticed drool coming out of one side of his mouth and he was pawing at the mouthand grinding his teeth. We took him to the vet today expecting the worst but she told us he had broke off a bottom incisor. She went to drill the other one and it broke down the middle so she drilled the rest down. She also noticed the top teeth on one side were growing out to his cheek so she clipped off what was hurting him. She sent is home with an antibiotic, pain meds, and some herbivore critical care that he doesn't seem to like. I feel like we may be just prolonging his suffering. Do you think maloclussion is still possible? We kept telling the vet our fear that the roots are growing up and she said the roots were low and she didn't feel it. Also, what can I feed him if he can't eat tomorrow? I tried crushing up regular food and adding a tiny bit of water but he didn't care for it.
Possible Maoclussion or just tooth issue? Help
- Thread starter jessacore
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She can't "feel" malocclusion - she has to x-ray for it. And yes, whether it's the roots or the surface, it is malocclusion. She needs to anesthetize Morton and get complete x-rays of his mouth so you know what you are dealing with.
If your chin's teeth are breaking off and growing out into his cheek, you may try one filing to see if they stay down, but yes, you are prolonging it. There is no cure for malocclusion. With as much going on in your chin's mouth as you describe, he must be in a tremendous amount of pain.
Malocclusion sucks. You absolutely hate not being able to fix it. There are people who will have their chins teeth trimmed every few months and think they are doing them a favor, but they aren't. Each time they have to be anesthetized and then hand fed and medicated, it's that much more stress on their bodies. IMO, if one filing doesn't work, then you are not doing your chin a favor by continually putting them through all that, others will disagree, but in the end it's a choice that's personal to you.
If your chin's teeth are breaking off and growing out into his cheek, you may try one filing to see if they stay down, but yes, you are prolonging it. There is no cure for malocclusion. With as much going on in your chin's mouth as you describe, he must be in a tremendous amount of pain.
Malocclusion sucks. You absolutely hate not being able to fix it. There are people who will have their chins teeth trimmed every few months and think they are doing them a favor, but they aren't. Each time they have to be anesthetized and then hand fed and medicated, it's that much more stress on their bodies. IMO, if one filing doesn't work, then you are not doing your chin a favor by continually putting them through all that, others will disagree, but in the end it's a choice that's personal to you.
ticklechin
Well-known member
The chin needs a oral and periodontal exam with x-rays under gas by a vet who knows what they are doing. This vet does not-clipping teeth is not acceptable practice by vets who "do" chins along with treating a chin with obvious teeth issues without a x-ray. You might post a location or look in the vet directory we have for a new vet. Malo is not treatable, its not managable, its a losing battle you will always lose, no matter how much time, money and hope you have I am sadly experienced enough to say.
Morton seems to have major problems with his teeth. I've seen improvement in some chinchillas's teeth, especially with animals that had been fed craps and were switched to a better feed, but definitely not in all. Sometimes chins can go longer without clipping or filling. It's not going to go away however. I know many people that have kept their chins for as long as they and the animal could manage it, cause as mentionned before, it's hard for him too, and if it's taking a loooong while for him to start eating again after clipping, you can assume it's pretty hard.
Agree with the x-ray, no way to see roots elongation otherwise. Sometimes they can feel bumbs on the lower jaw which is a possible sign of roots elongation, but it doesn't mean because there are no bumps there's no problem.
Go to a better vet and think about what you are willing to do, what you're ready to do. CAuse his situation sounds pretty bad.
Agree with the x-ray, no way to see roots elongation otherwise. Sometimes they can feel bumbs on the lower jaw which is a possible sign of roots elongation, but it doesn't mean because there are no bumps there's no problem.
Go to a better vet and think about what you are willing to do, what you're ready to do. CAuse his situation sounds pretty bad.
liewwan
Well-known member
Everything you're describing is exactly what Faith (my malo rescue) had gone through.
I agree with everything the above had already stated.
If he's not eating on his own you're going to have to burrito wrap him and hand feed him. Sometimes he'll put in a good fight. Just be careful not to hurt him.
I mix lifeline with my cc and warm water. I make it more on the liquid side so it's easier to feed. I would feed Faith every 3 hours from 20-40ml depending on how much she would take in each time.
Total this year I have spent close to $900 on meds, filing, xrays (both standard and skull graphing). Her next file is next month.
Am I prolonging the inevitable? YES
Am I going to give up? NO
You have to make the decision that you feel right for you and Morton.
I can tell you I'm not ready to let Faith go, she came to me almost 1 year ago and it's been a very tough battle. She was in a horrible home and I just want to give her what I can for whatever time she has left to enjoy a good life.
Good luck and hugs.
I agree with everything the above had already stated.
If he's not eating on his own you're going to have to burrito wrap him and hand feed him. Sometimes he'll put in a good fight. Just be careful not to hurt him.
I mix lifeline with my cc and warm water. I make it more on the liquid side so it's easier to feed. I would feed Faith every 3 hours from 20-40ml depending on how much she would take in each time.
Total this year I have spent close to $900 on meds, filing, xrays (both standard and skull graphing). Her next file is next month.
Am I prolonging the inevitable? YES
Am I going to give up? NO
You have to make the decision that you feel right for you and Morton.
I can tell you I'm not ready to let Faith go, she came to me almost 1 year ago and it's been a very tough battle. She was in a horrible home and I just want to give her what I can for whatever time she has left to enjoy a good life.
Good luck and hugs.
