GP Incisor Loss

Question
We have a 2 year old sow who suddenly lost 3 incisors without any apparent trauma (no dropping, accidents, etc).  The fourth lasted a few weeks longer and then also came out.  It's now been 2 months and nothing is growing back.  We have her on a syringe diet, but due to the lack of solid food the molars are now overgrowing and we are faced with the prospect of having to cut those back.
We are trying to get her to increase solid food intake but only with limited success.
I am not sure it is a scurvy problem because our second pig is on the same diet and living conditions and is very healthy.
What could the problem be? Some kind of congenital problem?  Is this something she will overcome? I can't find anything in regular searches on this specific problem.  Everyone says 'they grow back', but these definitely are not.  As it is we are faced with the very hard decision of pursuing expensive and perhaps ineffective surgeries (possibly repeatedly), or having to contemplate worse.  Appreciate any advice.
Thanks,
Robert

Answer

cavy teeth I must say I've never heard of a guinea pig losing incisors and not growing back. Generally they grow back within a week or two. I've had pigs who broke their teeth on cage bars or from trauma I didn't know about, but they grow back so quickly they barely feel the effect of not having them.

That makes me wonder if there is some kind of systemic problem, although this doesn't sound like scurvy. Scurvy is usually manifested by bone issues, typically loss of appetite and weight loss,depression, sore joints and lameness (usually in the back legs first). There is also often bleeding gums and nasal discharge. It is of course caused by a Vit C deficiency.  It's a process that doesn't happen overnight.

Guinea pigs don't make their own Vit C, unlike rabbits. Therefore their food is supplemented with Vit C.  But it must be a fresh supplement daily.  Rabbit food doesn't contain any Vit C and sometimes due to financial reasons owners elect to feed rabbit food instead of guinea pig food. That's not a problem as long as the Vit C is supplemented. Guinea pig food that comes from the pet store or grocery stores is often old and the Vit C has degraded. But again, the symptoms would be gradual, not sudden as you're describing.

In most cases vegetables like parsley are sufficient, along with a quality pellet to ward off the fear of scurvy. People have a misconception about Vit C, many thinking it's a cure for illness or the common cold.  It's only effective if taken on a daily basis. It's pure ascorbic acid and has the potential to cause severe stomach irritation and ulcers if taken in large quantities. It must be a daily intake or it's ineffective.

I suspect you are right, there is a congenital or systemic problem causing the tooth loss. The only other possibility might be an injury that damaged the roots of the teeth. When you say she lost four incisors that has to be the tops and the bottoms, am I right?  They only have two on top and two on the bottom. So a loss of four means there are no front teeth.

Two months is more than enough time to realize there is a serious problem. Another consideration is the syringe diet. Without fiber in her diet it may cause digestive and absorbtion issues if given over a long enough time. Usually that kind of supplemental feeding is intended for no more than a couple of weeks.  Will she overcome it? Not likely.

Have you taken her to a vet to have this looked into?  I think it would definitely be indicated.  Whatever the cause this is not a temporary thing. There is something seriously wrong and I wish I had even an educated guess.  But to be honest I do not.  I think you really need a professional opinion.

I'm sorry I can't offer you anymore than that, but I'm afraid I'm as baffled as you are.