elderly rabbit with molar spur

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dr. Krempels,

A couple of months ago, I sought your advice regarding my 12 year old rabbit who required a molar spur trimming on his very last molar.  I was reluctant to have him anesthetized with gas/injection but since my vet was unsuccessful in trimming it without anesthesia, we had no choice since he had stopped eating.   She first injected him with a reversible drug, however, since he was taking a long time to fall asleep, she decided to use the gas too.  The procedure was successful and fortunately, he recovered from it very well.  It is now 2 months later and the spur has grown back.  It is not bothering him at the moment, however, it is only a matter of time since it is growing towards his tongue.  She indicated that the tooth is loose and it is possible that it may fall out on its own so we are going to wait a few weeks before trimming it again.  She also brought up the option of having the tooth extracted, however, she indicated that it will be an invasive operation and there is a danger of breaking his jaw.  At this point, I would rather risk him going under the gas even if it requires having to do it every 3 months or so.  Do you think there is a good chance of it falling out on it's own?  What are your thoughts about extraction?  I realize that there is always a risk with using anesthesia, however, from your past experience, do most elderly rabbits who have periodic trimmings under gas do mostly well?  Thank you very much for your advice!

ANSWER: Dear Iris,

The bad thing about a loose tooth is that if it wiggles in the socket, it can allow bacteria under the gumline, and this can cause infection.  If the vet doesn't think it's loose enough to do this, then I'd leave well enough alone.  If the tooth is *very* loose, then she could *try* to carefully extract it when she files the spur, but if it offers any resistance, then just file the spur and do as little as possible to upset the delicate balance the bunny appears to have going on in his mouth.

This is a tough call with no easy answers.  But I would not force the issue by extracting a tooth if it's so firmly embedded that there's a risk of breaking his already weakened jaw.

The vet might want to keep a close eye out for any slight sign of infection or inflammation, and put bun on antibiotics very quickly if there is any sign that an abscess might be developing at the base of that problematic tooth.

Hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dana,

Thank you very much for the advice.  We will be returning to the vet in a couple of weeks to check it out again.  I am hopeful that it is not loose enough to cause an infection.  At his age, I really don't want to take the chance of extracting it.  I'm sure it would be very painful for him even if it is successful.  Sorry, but I was also wondering about your experiences with elderly rabbits like mine who must undergo routine trimmings?  Is it very common?  What are the long term effects of the gas that is used?

Thanks again and I really appreciate your help.

Iris

Answer
Dear Iris,

The older the bunny, the less I like anesthesia.  It got to the point where I taught myself to file an elderbunny's molars myself with the bunny lying on his back and me armed with a Revlon (blunt) nail file.  It works well for lingual spurs (bottom teeth), but uppers really need anesthesia.  We had one bunny who actually stopped getting spurs after I filed his molars a few times.  Not sure why, but I was glad!

This isn't an operation to be taken on by the sane layperson. But there are some vets out there who will also file a minor spur without anesthesia.

As long as bun is eating, I'd put it off.  But keep an eye out for inappetence.

Hope he'll be fine!

Dana