[Gpdd] Health:Tooth Problems and Syringe Feeding

[sherry bevins]

Hi Stacy,

Our Newbie has the same sort of problem with her incisors...one of the 
uppers is longer than the other and her lowers came out completely. We just 
have to keep having them trimmed back until they all grow to the lenghth 
that they should be. This is taking quite a while, too, because they don't 
seem to be growing in at the same rate...one of the upper incisors keeps 
wanting to curl back into her mouth, instead of growing in straight. I have 
read that this can be an inherited trait, or that a lack of vitamin C can 
cause the teeth to become loose. Newbie is also an older pig...she will be 
four years old in a few months. I have often wondered, too, if this could be 
age related, but I have other piggie friends who are older than Newbie and 
have had no problems at all. Her molars seem to be alright, because she 
still eats well...I just have to chop up her carrots and apple for her. She 
still eats plenty of pellets, and hasn't lost any weight.
When I have had to syringe feed one of my piggies, I use a 1cc syringe for 
the more liquid items, such as juice, baby food, or water. They seem to like 
the smaller size syringe better than the 3cc and larger sizes which I use 
for the thicker foods, such as Critical Care and mixtures containing ground 
piggie pellets. I insert the tip of the syringe into the area of the mouth 
behind the front teeth and a little to the back. I give them a few drops at 
a time, making sure that they are chewing and swallowing after each 
insertion. This has worked for us. Sometimes they tug on the syringe, which 
I have interpreted to mean that they want more food faster. Some of my 
piggies have been real gulpers!
I hope that your piggie's tooth problem will soon be resolved. We'll be 
praying for him...

Best Wishes,

Sherry and the Piggie Pals