Malocclusion is a serious condition that occurs when teeth become so overgrown that the guinea pig cannot eat. As guinea pigs teeth will continuously grow over the course of a lifetime, if not feeble down this condition will occur. There are two types of malocclusion t eye out for - molar and incisor. Malocclusion cannot be conclusively diagnosed without an exam done by a veterinarian. In some cases if the oral cavity must be examined this will require sedation and special tools.
Molar Malocclusion
If the molar teeth become too long the guinea pigs moth will not be able to terminate. This will force the jaw forward resulting in a misalignment of the molars and incisors. When this happens the incisors will initiate to lose shape and the molars will overgrow - ultimately trapping the tongue and preventing normal swallowing from happening. In some cases this angled growth can lead to the tooth of the teeth growing into the sinus or glance. Tooth spikes, which are bone spurs, can also earn on the side of the molars resting against the tongue. The sharpness of the tooth spike can actually cleave the tongue.
Prevention
effect every pains to feed one's guinea pig grass, greens, timothy hay, and other abrasive foods. In some cases malocclusion has been seen to be genetic and it can invent at a young age despite one's best efforts.
What are symptoms of Malocclusion?
observe for signs of weight loss despite the fact that your pet is actively eager in food. view for changes in food preferences as well. Is your guinea pig suddenly eating primarily soft foods? Do you hear a grating noise as your guinea pig chews? What about the hasten of chewing? Does it seem abnormally tiresome? Is food falling out of your pet's mouth? Do you look signs of diarrhea and crude weight loss?
Treatment
If malocclusion is allowed to construct for a very long time it can be impossible to treat. Treatment can require sedation, removal of overgrowth and tooth spikes, as well as x-rays to examine the extent to which roots may have overgrown. If the jaw has been permanently damaged - meaning it is stuck in this area despite tooth length correction, euthanasia is frequently carried out as the animal will not be able to feed itself and will slowly raze away.
