rabbits losing teeth

Question
i have had my rabbit for more than a week now, but he was owned by someone else. he is an adult, and today, he was sticking his toungue out and mouthing his mouth constantly. so i opened his mouth, to find that one of his teeth was loose in his mouth, so i took it out. he seems very hungry and is attempting to eat the bread we have given him, but failing miserably. ive looked at his mouth again, and his other top tooth (next to the one that has fallen out) is loose as well. i dont want to pull it out, because he wont be able to eat at all. what is happening and why?

Answer
Dear Cindy,

Rabbits are hypsodonts, which means their teeth grow continually, all their lives.  If the other incisor is loose, it should probably be pulled so it won't be irritating and painful, and also so he won't swallow it, should it come out by itself.  The bottom incisors might be best trimmed down low so that as the new upper teeth grow out they won't outstrip and overgrow, causing problems in the lower jaw.

In a week or two, the bun should have normal teeth again, assuming they're not particularly fragile and subject to constant breakage.

It's possible that the bunny suffered an injury (bonked his nose!) that broke off the teeth 'way up in the jaw.  It's also possible that he has congenitally fragile teeth (we have a Lionhead rescue whose teeth are constantly breaking; he was born that way!).  Only time will tell.

But I'd get your bunny to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who can examine the teeth and see if they need any treatment in order to foster their growing back in straight and normal this time around.

In the meantime, you'll need to cut up all his food into little bite-sized chunks and/or strips.  He should be able to eat pellets and hay without problems, but large lettuce leaves, little fruit bit snacks, etc. should be cut up for him because his incisors (cutting teeth) aren't functioning at the moment.

I hope this helps.

Dana