Malocclusion help!

[crazylicious85]

One of my boys, Kaos, has malocclusion. One of his bottom teeth is out to the side and is obviously causing him discomfort, if not pain. The part of his mouth where the tooth is sticking into is swollen. He won't let me look at it very good, so I really don't know much more. I am planning on taking him to the vet soon, but I have to wait and talk with the vet tomorrow to see how much it would be to trim his teeth and all. I can't afford more than $20 right now. My point of posting...what can I do between now and the vet visit to keep the pain/discomfort to a minimum? He is still eating fine, although i've been giving him baby food some because it's hard for him to chew some things. I also gave him a bowl of water attached to the cage because I noticed he was having trouble drinking from the water bottle last night. If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

oh and rats (pets in generally really) should come with winning lottery tickets!!!

♥

 

[jorats]

Hi, that's pretty much all you can do with malocclusion, soft foods and teeth trimming.
For me a tooth trimming at the vet is only $20. Hopefully it won't be more for you, unless the vet charges for a visit.

 

[crazylicious85]

Hi, that's pretty much all you can do with malocclusion, soft foods and teeth trimming.
For me a tooth trimming at the vet is only $20. Hopefully it won't be more for you, unless the vet charges for a visit.

I'm hoping she (the vet) won't charge for the exam because just the exam is $40. He will probably need meds for the swollen part if it's infected, but I have no idea because this health issue is a first for me. I just had one of my females (Kahlua) euthanized Sept. 24, so I am worried that the vet will suggest that I have Kaos euthanized too, knowing my financial situation and his age. I tend to over think things, so I'm hoping it won't be nearly as bad as I expect.

What meds should I expect the vet to suggest for infection/swollen area if any?

Thanks

 

[jorats]

It all depends... if he's swollen due to the malocclusion, then a trim might square off the swelling and he won't need meds for that. But if the vet determines that there is an infection, most vets like to prescribe Baytril for rats.

 

[crazylicious85]

It all depends... if he's swollen due to the malocclusion, then a trim might square off the swelling and he won't need meds for that. But if the vet determines that there is an infection, most vets like to prescribe Baytril for rats.

Ok I'll keep that in mind, thanks! I like to know a little about what to expect before I go because although my vet does see rats, I've only taken one rat to her and I'm not sure that she knows as much as others do.

I told my rats they need to start looking for jobs :lol:

 

[jorats]

I told my rats they need to start looking for jobs :lol:

lol!

 

[Cigar]

I have a little man with malocclusion, too. My (new) vet charged me an exam fee because Puzzle hadn't been in before but from now on tooth trimming doesn't involve an exam; he charged $15. Puzzle had a broken lower tooth the last time we went and the overgrown teeth were putting pressure on the exposed gum so I asked for Baytril to keep any infections at bay. It wasn't very expensive at all and it sounds like Kaos will be alright with the proper attention to his teeth.

 

[Littlefizz]

Thats wierd because my vet doesn't charge for trimming the teeth, just the exam. I guess it's more money for him.

 

[Cigar]

Thats wierd because my vet doesn't charge for trimming the teeth, just the exam. I guess it's more money for him.

:wow: I don't think I could bring myself to pay $45 for a tooth trim twice a month, or $80 as was the case before I moved for college.

 

[Chel]

my vet charges around 30$ with taxes in but he uses the gas, Rose just won't stay still. I had another vet over the summer who only charged 15 when he didn't use the gas but 30 when he did. Since we knew what the problem was there was no exam fee. Rose has her teeth trimmed every two weeks. My wallet hurts.

 

[lilratsy43]

I think I may have to do my Rhys by myself this week. He is soo due, but I don't have a minute to get him in this week. Besides my vet just cuts them anyways, and they don't always do a very good job (ie, teeth not cut straight).

And Rhys is very good about letting ppl look into his mouth, so I think if I can get my mom to hold him, it shouldn't be too hard, although I am a bit nervous....

 

[crazylicious85]

Update:

I spoke with a local vet (about 45 min. away) and she said rats "have to be put under anesthesia for tooth trimming", which I know isn't true because I've heard of a lot of rattie parents that have not had to get theres put under for it. Maybe she just meant when she does it?! She said it could probably be caused by a tumor and it might be better to have him euthanized, which I am realizing is her answer for everything :cry3: She is VERY pushy about euthanizing and I don't like it. I mean, I understood more so with Kahlua and her head tilt/no balance problem because of her age and all, but she is assuming the worse with Kaos. Maybe it's just because she knows I can't afford but so much, but it bothers me. She said she'd have me sign a form in case he didn't make it through teeth trimming, blah She kept repeating herself saying he's in pain and should be euthanized. I'm thinking she isn't very confident with certain things (ie. trimming rattie teeth). She said she'd call me back with an estimate, so I contacted Avian & Exotics of Raleigh. I didn't speak with a vet, but the receptionist/secretary was very informed (as I expected) and said it would be $52 without anesthesia and $63 with anesthesia + they'd need to do an exam, which is $32.50. So about $95-ish or less if by some miracle he doesn't need anesthesia. I asked her about what the local vet said about euthanizing and she said, "no, i would not euthanize a rat over a tooth issue". I also mentioned that he is still eating fine and she seemed even more optimistic yay! After I got off of the phone with A & E, the local vet called back with an estimate of $95-$120. Umm...I'd rather go to A&E and spend a little more (although it's two hours away)...I just don't feel very confident about the local vet. So yeah I have to figure out my money situation (ie. get my money out of paypal). I just don't want to spend $200+ and he not make it through the anesthesia, i'm trying to be positive, but it's very difficult.

Thoughts?

 

[lindsayfawn]

Put a rat under just for a tooth trim? That's just ridiculus. I would be finding a different vet that knows something. We've trimmed teeth here by our selves you would think a vet could do something like that. If the tooth isn't going up through the skin or doesn't look like it requires surgery then he shouldn't need to be put under. Rats have a hard time with being put under in the first place.
I wish you lived closer our vet is amazing with trimming teeth and it's only 20 bucks. We had to get her to trim Franka's tooth once because it was at a weird angle so nail trimmers couldn't get in there.

For meds they would probably put him on Baytril or Doxy to keep infection away and Metacam for pain meds if he needs it.

Is there a way that you could file down the tooth at all?

 

[crazylicious85]

Put a rat under just for a tooth trim? That's just ridiculus. I would be finding a different vet that knows something. We've trimmed teeth here by our selves you would think a vet could do something like that. If the tooth isn't going up through the skin or doesn't look like it requires surgery then he shouldn't need to be put under. Rats have a hard time with being put under in the first place.
I wish you lived closer our vet is amazing with trimming teeth and it's only 20 bucks. We had to get her to trim Franka's tooth once because it was at a weird angle so nail trimmers couldn't get in there.

For meds they would probably put him on Baytril or Doxy to keep infection away and Metacam for pain meds if he needs it.

Is there a way that you could file down the tooth at all?

Yeah I'm definitely going to have to take him to Avian & Exotics in Raleigh. I'm pretty much done with the local vet. Kaos won't let me look at his mouth, but I'll have to see if my boyfriend can hold him for me so I can try. The local vet even said he could have broken his jaw and said something about he could have been dropped...umm no he hasn't been dropped *grr!* What could I use to file the tooth down if he allows me to...? He is still eating well, the only thing I've noticed is some hard stuff is more difficult for him to chew and he can't drink out of the water bottle very well, so I gave him some water in a bowl attached to the cage. I'm hoping he will be fine and I can get the tooth filed down or trimmed by the avian and exotics vet.

 

[Joanne]

If I were you, I would go to Avians & Exotics. At least they're more educated about rats. Requiring the rat to have anaesthesia may be more of a comfort thing for the vet. It's much easier to trim teeth when the rat is unconscious. I think it depends on the rat. If the rat will just sit there and let them do it, then it shouldn't be a problem. If the rat struggles and wiggles, then it's safer for the rat to be anaesthetized. If they use gas to knock him out, then it's very safe, and a very fast recovery. If the vet is willing to teach you, then maybe they could show you the first trimming while he is out so they can explain everything thoroughly and show you safely. Then maybe next time they could try showing you when he is awake. He may or may not be cooperative. If he's not, then it's safer for everyone to knock him down to do his teeth. I know, hard on your pocket book, but it's very important.
As well, if his first appointment for tooth trimming is done while he's out, then the vet can do a thorough examination to make sure that the tooth problem is not just a sign of something else.

 

[Chel]

hmm my vet uses isoflourine (spelling) to knock rose out for the trimming, it is necessary since she is very uncooperative that way we wont cut her tongue lip etc. I don't know if that is the same thing as anesthesia.
To do it at home you can use cat nail trimmers, or even human nail trimmers, just make sure they're clean. There is a really good thread somewhere around here on how to trim teeth, search for it! One thing to look out for is splitting the tooth. Rose's teeth are white (they should be yellowy orange) and they split much easier than other rat toofers. If you really want to do it yourself you could PM SQ, I know she had a rat with similar teeth problems to my Rose and trimmed them at home herself. Good Luck!

 

[Joanne]

hmm my vet uses isoflourine (spelling) to knock rose out for the trimming, it is necessary since she is very uncooperative that way we wont cut her tongue lip etc. I don't know if that is the same thing as anesthesia.

Isofluorane is gas anaesthesia. It renders them unconscious while they are inhaling it, and as soon as the gas is turned off, they start to recover. Very safe as dosage can be easily controlled.

 

[Cigar]

Puzzle's never been knocked out to have his teeth done even though he squirms and has a hissy fit. We just let him thrash until he needs to rest and then trim the teeth.

 

[Maple]

A good vet should be able to trim the teeth in no time at all. Putting a rat under every 2 weeks to trim teeth isn't a good thing either. Cigar is right, a squirming rat gets tired sooner or later.
Good luck.

 

[ryelle]

if the rat has to have regular teeth trimming then imo it is better to knock them out, so they dont get traumatised every time they have to go to the vet. having a big metal thing in your mouth removing your teeth is a pretty scary thing (im sure some of you dont LOVE the dentist lol)