teeith guinea pig

Question
My son has two guinea pigs twin girls -- the larger one ABBEY stopped eating.  I look her to the vet.  They THINK it's her bsck teeth (they are 11 months old.  We are feeding her through a needle.  She loves the food and eating alittle off the spoon.  The vet said will be cost $200.00  to fix her teeth.  I have already spend $120.00.  I would hate to see her die.  All vets think about is money.  I know she little but we are a family of five and have two dogs also.  These pigs are members of our family.  Is there anything I can do?   Not alot of people know anything about guinea pigs.

Answer
Hi,

Aww im quite sad to hear about your guinea pig. I am afraid i do not know that much on teeth but if i was you i would check her teeth out for yourself! getting your son or somebody else to hold her whilst you lift her lip up to check her front teeth and then back teeth to see if you can see any problems. The only problem with you paying for her to have them sorted out is that the risk of her dying is quite high. Only if she is put to sleep during the operation she will probably die or have some wort of permanent illness after as guinea pigs bodies can not cope with such drugs. If she operation is not the case where she is put to sleep then i would deffinately do it! Its so worth it. Also if you can just try to temp her with a bit or tamatoe or something just so she can maybe feel the need to want to eat it by holding her and holding the food infront of her and putting it to her mouth.
IMPORTANT!!! NEVER TRY TO STICK FOOD INSIDE A GUINEA PIGS MOUTH OR DOWN ITS THROAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But i would also go and see all the vets around your area to see if they have any other suggestions. Also you could provide chewing blocks or extra food for her. The main thing i beleive will want her to eat is put her in a pen on the grass. I think she will eat the grass also if you can get your hands on some fresh dandilion leaves that would be swell and i think she will eat. Please, Please do write back i would honestly love to hear how she is getting on/any improvements or what the vets said. Please do i would love to hear from you again.

Thank you for emailing
Emma

"Because your guinea pigs happiness matters"