Referral & Clinical

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Chinchillas

Rabbits and small rodents have enjoyed a popularity boom in recent times and rabbits are now the third most numerous pets in the UK. This has created the need for veterinary surgeon to understand more about these species. In the north of the UK we recommend the Exotics Dept. of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (0131 650 7650). Exotics Service Univ of Edinburgh The veterinary surgeons in this department have the facilities and expertise to provide a first class service for these animals. In the south we recommend you contact your veterinary surgeon for local knowledge of expertise in your area. Paul Hobson of the Animal Medical Centre in London & Northampton has written a recent book chapter on rabbit dentistry - paul_hobson@onetel.com

From a dental point of view, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas most commonly provide case material. These animals have aradicular hypsodont teeth, which grow continually due to open root apices.

They have evolved these teeth due to their diets and lifestyle. Rabbits eat grass as a staple and guinea pigs and chinchillas normally live at high altitude in the Andes and survive on tough, woody alpine type plants. All these diets create a lot of wear on the teeth and the open apex and reserve crowns replace the worn teeth. If these animals are fed unsuitable foods – pellets, muesli, soft vegetables and hay – they fail to wear the teeth sufficiently and this leads to malocclusions and other painful dental conditions. Most owners notice weight loss first and, maybe, difficulty in eating. Another common sign is excessive tear production and staining (epiphora). Rabbits with "runny eyes" often have dental disease as the extension of the upper cheek teeth roots can interfere with the ducts which drain the tears.

The most common reasons for referral are for cheek teeth malocclusion and, occasionally, incisor extraction but the management of these cases as a whole is important. This includes both diet and surgical intervention. Repeat examinations are often necessary as often as every 4-6 weeks. The access to the oral cavity is difficult and requires gags and cheek dilators. Radiographs are often essential in treatment planning. Left and Right laterals and d/v skull are all required as a minimum. Tooth malocclusion, periodontal disease and abnormal root extension may be seen on the radiographs.

Special instruments are available from Dunlops. Veterinary Instrumentation and Dr Shipp also provide instruments which allow access to the oral cavity. HP burs in the slow handpiece of a dental drill are also frequently required.