pet care & health
“ But Grandmother! What big teeth you have – I mean, what long, spurred teeth you have.”
Little Red Riding Hood, true to her naiveté, would have in all likelihood been quite pet-rified on glimpsing the teeth of a guinea pig riddled with dental disease. That said, dental disease is not a cheerful diagnosis for any veterinarian working with guinea pigs.
As a veterinarian working exclusively with exotic patients, which, amongst many other species, includes guinea pigs, Dr Karli du Preez has extensive knowledge on the topic of guinea pig dental disease. Having worked with these animals for over seven years, she continues to deepen her understanding of guinea pigs.
It is vital that guinea pigs get adequate calcium, vitamin D, and fibre. Sufficient fibre originates from hay, so ensure your guinea pig has constant access to fresh hay.
Recognising the signs
As a guinea pig owner, you can identify potential dental disease by attentively monitoring your pet and looking out for:
• Weight loss
• Drooling
• Dropping of food
• Barbering( eating hair)
• Avoidance of being touched on the face
How dental disease develops
Dr Karli notes the importance of guinea pig owners gaining a thorough understanding of dental disease: its causes, treatment and prevention.
With teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives, guinea pigs can develop misalignment between the incisors and molars( back teeth), which can lead to dental disease.
The top molars typically elongate and form spurs pointing toward the cheeks, while the bottom molars form spurs pointing toward the tongue. This causes the tongue to become trapped and creates cuts inside the mouth, leading to eating becoming considerably painful and causing great discomfort.
Dental disease stems from three primary causes, including genetics, nutritional deficiencies and trauma.
Diagnosis and treatment
Should there be any suspicion of such a condition, it is recommended that you and your guinea pig pay a visit to an exotic-savvy veterinarian, who can diagnose dental disease through a conscious dental examination and begin treatment.
Treatment involves a repeated, sedated dental-file procedure, and correction of nutritional deficiencies. Owners can also increase the fibre intake of their guinea pigs; however, this alone is not sufficient.
Prevention is important for all guinea pig owners. Ethical breeding, a proper diet, and adequate sunlight can help prevent dental disease.
While dental disease is chronic, proper management, such as regular dental procedures and ensuring adequate vitamin D and fibre intake, can reduce the frequency of dental treatments. www. petpals. co. za 33