Broken Bottom Teeth

Question
Our bunny has maloclusion and had his bottom teeth filed - yesterday the bottom teeth broke off completely and there is a little bleeding.  Should I be concerned?

Answer
Dear Cindi,

I think this would warrant a trip to the vet to be sure that antibiotics are not needed to ward off infection.  Also, if the upper incisors are not trimmed back a bit farther, they could overgrow more quickly without opposing friction from the lower incisors.

If the malocclusion is really bad, you might want to consider complete removal of the crooked teeth, which will mean he never has to undergo a filing again.  You just would have to make a few adjustments, such as cutting his fresh food into bite-sized pieces, since he can't cut it himself without incisors. Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

for more information.

And you can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps!

Dana