Tooth infection

[nicoleac]

Hello, I was hoping to get some opinions on my chinchilla's treatment options.

On Saturday, I noticed that he wouldn't eat his rose hip. This was very unusual because he normally devours them, and this time he just put it in his mouth and spat it back out. My vet is closed on weekends, but I finally got him in on Monday.

The vet listened to his heart and heard a heart murmur. She said a reason for this could be either heart failure (which she said was unlikely because he is only 1 year old) or a bacterial infection. I asked her to take some x rays so we could see if the problem was tooth related, because he was eating his hay and pellets just fine, it was the hard rose hip he wouldn't eat. She said that on the x ray, there was a black spot on one of his teeth, which indicated a small tooth infection. She prescribed him Baytril and Metacam, and told me to come back in a week. However, I have been obsessively scrolling these forums and from what I have read Baytril is not effective for tooth infections. I called a different vet, and asked that vet's opinion. She said the tooth will have to be removed.

Is this true?? What should I do? I'm just so upset and I want to do what's best for my little baby but I've read tooth extractions are very difficult to recover from. The first vet said on the x ray he doesn't have any overgrown teeth, his teeth are nice and trimmed.

I just don't know what to do

 

[ticklechin]

The source of the infection needs to be removed-if its apical, meaning at the base of the tooth the tooth needs to be removed since more than likely the pulp died, if its periodontal, the infection may or may not clear up with antibiotics-problem with baytril is it works on aerobic bacteria, the bacteria that needs to be fought are anaerobic, flagyl and bayril together work the best IMO for dental infections since flagyl fights anerobic bacteria. Before the tooth is removed its a good idea to start the antibiotics first-A: to see if the infection will clear before this invasive surgery, and B: to start to get ahold of the infection before you expose the entire mouth to open infection. The murmur, what class did the vet say it was?

 

[nicoleac]

I'm not sure of the terminology the vet used, but she did say that the infection was not at the root (I think she said root). She didn't mention pus or anything, either, which I've been reading that tooth infections normally have pus? I don't know, either way, she definitely said something about how it's not at the base of the tooth yet. Can I just ask the vet for flagyl, will she likely give it to me if I ask? I want to do whatever the most effective option is, but I'm wondering why she didn't just give it to me in the first place if it's the most effective. How do I get my hands on it?

She did not say what class murmur it was, however I just called the office because my chin is having small poops despite eating by himself with supplements of critical care, and I was concerned if that was a side effect of the medication, or if it is something I should be worried about, and am expecting a return call, so I can ask about the murmur as well.

 

[nicoleac]

Update: he's also bloated ): yesterday his poops were incredibly small so I called the vet and she prescribed him reglan along with simethicone drops. He's still very active...but this is so much medication, without much outward improvement, I'm starting to feel hopeless ):

 

[nicoleac]

Has anyone else's chin had a tooth infection/bloat and everything went ok? What did you do? Another vet appt today so I'm going to ask about the flagyl.

 

[nicoleac]

Oh and I forgot to mention the murmur was 2/6.

 

[ticklechin]

If the infection is periodontal-meaning the infection is in the supporting structures of the
tooth and not at the apex, the infection can drain and could be cleared up with antibiotics, the vet would need to be well versed in rabbit/chinchilla teeth to use the flagyl along with the baytril. Baytril is a NASTY antibiotic used orally, flagyl is also, it wreaks havoc on the digestive system and the side effect is bloat. Bloat needs to be treated aggressively with hand feeding, massage, exercise, meds and when you are doing it all to a chin in pain, its very difficult but can be done. I have had several malocclusion chins bloat.

 

[nicoleac]

Alright, so I went back in for a follow up. Good news is, the bloat is gone. He has a couple tiny gas bubbles left but overall his GI tract is looking good. Bad news is, the infection's still there. The vet did give me flagyl, to be used with caution. I ordered some lifeline to hopefully counteract the antibiotic. Here goes. :handstogether:

 

[ticklechin]

Sending healing thoughts your way!