Rabbit Malocclusion

Question
Hi, my beloved bunny Barkley has terrible malocclusion. My vet, who's excellent is still figuring out the best treatment for her, as she's concerned about her back teeth. I've been taking her in (she's under 1 year old) to have her teeth trimmed regularly, ever since the diagnosis, but now my vet thinks trimming isn't enough. Barkley is having trouble even after her trimming, eating pellets, hay, and greens. I have been giving her baby food, fresh mashed banana, and things of that sort, but really just want an opinion on whether they should pull all her teeth, or just the incisors. My vet mentioned removing the incisors, but my question is: can they remove the back teeth without too much trauma, and then I can have her incisors trimmed like i've been doing? What are the health repercussions if my rabbit can't eat pellets, or hay? I am planning on getting a food processor, to make her fresh mixtures, but I just want her to be comfortable, heathy, and happy. Please let me know what you think in this case of malocclusion of the incisors and back teeth.

thanks so much,
Winnie

Answer
Dear Winnie,

It is possible that removing the incisors will allow her molars to meet more normally, and that this alone will help prevent the overgrowth causing her trouble.

It's also helpful if she can go outside daily for a few hours to eat grass and twigs, since that seems to be the very best way for the molars to be ground down, even if they are maloccluded.  We had a big, NZ White bunny (Isabella) with the worst premolar malocclusion our vet had ever seen:  the teeth pretty much grew in sideways, almost facing each other over her tongue.  But because she was outside most of the day, eating natural forage, she almost never had to have her teeth filed.  Diet is critical in rabbits with severe malocclusions, and can really make a huge difference.

Maloccluded incisors are pretty much unmanageable, and the least stressful option is usually to completely remove them.  You need only cut Barkley's food into bite-sized chunks if only the incisors are gone, since she'll still be able to grind her food.

I'd then monitor the condition of her molars for a few months, and see if their problems are reduced with the incisors gone.  This is often the case.  But I certainly would not remove all the teeth at this point.  Very traumatic, and possibly not necessary.

Be sure you have a vet who is very familiar with rabbit medicine:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and has experience with this surgery, or who can consult with someone if s/he isn't confident about the surgery.  It will be painful, so ask about pain medication for Barkley for several days post-surgery.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!
Dana