Rabbit dentistry in Sutton
In the wild, rabbits can grind down coarse meal materials like grass and plants because their teeth keep growing throughout their lifetimes. A lot of domestic rabbits are given a combination of commercially available diets and hay.
Commercial diets are greater in protein, fat, and calories and lower in fibre. As a result, rabbits satisfy their nutritional needs more rapidly than they would in the wild, where they would have to forage and graze all day to get the same amount of energy from food. Because of the absence of tooth wear, this can result in dental disease in addition to obesity and boredom. Less time spent grinding and consuming less indigestible fibre can result in the development of molar spurs, which can cause cuts on the tongue and cheek if they are severe and allowed to worsen.
Additionally, while chewing and indigestible fibre both increase gastrointestinal motility, diets high in carbs and low in fibre (such muesli or pelleted meals) may slow down the motility of the intestine.
As hindgut fermenters, rabbits rely on bacteria in their hindgut to digest and assimilate food. As a result, altering the pH and microbiota may cause diarrhoea, intestinal stasis, and, regrettably, in certain situations, death. Because of this, nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and happiness of your rabbit.
Signs my rabbit has dental disease?
- Reduced appetite, or not eating at all
- Reduced number of faecal pellets produced
- Reduced ability or inability to ingest caecotrophs – leading to a ‘messy bum.’
- Runny eyes
- Hypersalivation and drooling
- Facial swelling due to secondary dental abscess.
Please get in touch with Maven Vets in Sutton to schedule a time for a veterinarian to check your rabbit as away if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Rabbit Dental Disease in Sutton
Depending on temperament, the front teeth (incisors) can be reduced if they are excessively long. This procedure is often carried out on a conscious rabbit.
Shortening the teeth might offer a temporary solution if the incisors are misaligned, which means they don't touch when closed. However, your veterinarian would advise you to have all of the incisors extracted to avoid the need for frequent burring.
In order to do a comprehensive inspection and treatment, a general anaesthetic will be necessary if your Sutton veterinarian detects spurring, or sharp edges, of the molars, or back-cheek teeth.
How to Prevent Rabbit Dental Disease
Provide a healthy, high-fiber food; 80–85% of a rabbit's diet should consist of hay. This implies that a rabbit should consume the amount of hay equivalent to its body size each day. This encourages stomach motility and causes teeth wear and grinding.
Because rabbits will select their preferred portions of the diet, frequently omitting the most nutritious portions, pellet foods are recommended over mixed muesli. For dwarf and ordinary rabbits, give no more than 1 tablespoon daily; for large types, give up to 2 tablespoons.
In addition to offering you advice on the best dental diets or products for your pet, we are pleased to answer any queries you may have. For a consultation, get in touch with the Maven Vets in Sutton that are closest to you.
