my rabbits teeth... :/

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hey!  Quick question for ya...I've had my rabbit, Popcorn for about a year now...and ever since I've had him I've had chew blocks in his cage for him to chew on...but he never has.  Now, as a result, both his bottom and top teeth are very long....and it looks like it may be more difficult for him to chew his food because of it...I know you would probably say to give him chew blocks but he just won't chew on them...so my question is...is there any kind of specific dog bone that is safe for rabbits, too?  because I think he might chew on something like that...or at least it's worth a try...please get back to me on this as soon as you can...thanks so much for your time!!! :)

*~Christine and Popcorn~*
Answer -
Dear Christine,

You might be surprised to learn that his teeth are not overgrown because he won't chew.  In fact, it's the exact opposite:  he won't chew because his teeth are not properly aligned, and that's why they have grown long and unmanageable.  Rabbits are hypsodonts:  their teeth grow continually all their lives. If the teeth meet normally, it's not a problem. But if they have slightly crooked teeth, they don't wear against each other and the problems you see with Popcorn show up.

If this has been going on for a year, then you must really get him to a vet *immediately* for treatment.  The teeth can be cut short temporarily until you decide on a more permanent solution.  But note that overgrown teeth can curl backwards into the mouth and even penetrate the tongue and/or palate--so don't wait to have a good rabbit vet get his teeth back to normal size.

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Since the problem isn't that he won't chew his chew blocks (a rabbit with normal tooth occlusion will wear his teeth against each other, and even if he doesn't have chew toys, they will not overgrow), you need to consider what to do about the malocclusion.  The best solution is to have the incisors permanently removed, but this requires the skills of an experienced, competent rabbit vet.  You can read more about this here:

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

It's also very important that the vet check his molars.  The molars, like the incisors, grow continually, though more slowly.  If there are problems with the incisors, there are also probably problems with the molars, and he may have molar spurs that need to be filed.

I hope this helps get you started.  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana


MY NEW QUESTION...

Dana..thanks so much for your advice...but there's a problem...I don't have a job yet (I just turned 16) and my parents, all throughout my life have never taken our small pets, such as my rabbit to the vet.. They just won't do it for some reason...and I have no money to take him to the vet either...is there ANY way I can try to help this problem without seeing a vet? please get back to me...thanks :)

Answer
Dear Christine,

No, there's no way you can treat such a serious problem on your own.  I would suggest that you contact your local rabbit rescue chapter (you can click on the "chapters" button at www.rabbit.org) and find out if there is a relatively low cost veterinarian in your area who can take care of rabbits.  It should not be exorbitantly expensive to at least temporarily fix this problem, but it *is* potentially life-threatening.  Please don't delay.

Please ask your parents to help you.  As a minor, you are still under their care and if they allowed you to adopt Popcorn, then they are financially responsible for getting him proper veterinary care.  To do otherwise would be cruel and neglectful.  Just because they've never gotten veterinary care for other small pets doesn't mean they won't do it now.  Popcorn is not only dear to you, but he is helpless.  He relies on you for his care.

If his teeth go untreated, the condition could seriously become life-threatening for the reasons I stated before.  Please talk to your parents and get Popcorn to a good vet.  It's the right thing to do.

Dana