[Gpdd] Health: Puzzled by symptoms, any ideas? for Vic and Angela (Carla Martinez)

[Cuttlefish Arts]

I've always regarded malocclusion as mostly as a secondary problem -- the
pig's not eating for some reason, and the teeth overgrow. I'm starting to
realize it can just be it's own problem too from what various people have to
say, especially in old age.  We had her teeth (which became very overgrown
fairly quickly) about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and they seem to be on their way to
overgrowing again. Thanks for all the suggestions about enticing the piggie
to eat. I've had some more success with keeping her weight up with syringe
feeding of veggies and fruit, pellet/grain mush, and Critical Care.  She
also works on small carrots, strawberries, etc. on her own, and tries to eat
pellets. She's not doing as well with the hay and grass, etc.

Thanks, as always, to everyone for their ideas...I'll keep you posted.

> Regarding Vic's question about Angela's symptoms of dropping weight and not
> eating much: Vic you said you had been to an exotics vet and they trimmed
> her teeth which had overgrown. You didn't mention how long ago that was, but
> I will share my experience in case it is helpful, because the eating
> problems sound so similar.
> 
> My 5-year-old boar Snowball has had malocclusion for two years. Both the
> exotics specialist and the regular vet with a large dental practice have
> said that his problem is unusual. Maybe Angela has something like that?
> 
> It is not only the incisors (front teeth), but also the molars on Snowball,
> grow points on the ends and grow at an angle like a pitched roof towards the
> inside of his mouth. The vets couldn't understand how that could happen
> because they had not seen it before. It hurts his mouth to eat at that
> point. It traps his tongue and eventually restricts his movements in
> swallowing food. 
> 
> With so much help from the vets we have been successful in treating the
> problem. We go to the vet's office once a month when Snowball's molars begin
> to bother him. He starts doing some of the things that Angela does,
> struggling valiantly and giving up on the veggies. The vet gives him
> anesthesia and files off the points and trims back where it needs it so the
> tongue is freed. It usually takes about an hour til we are ready to leave.
> Then I give him Metacam for pain and after awhile he gets hungry.
> The evening after the trimming I sometimes syringe feed Snowball some
> Critical Care, but sometimes he will start eating a salad right away. He
> stays on the painkiller for two days and it helps increase his appetite as
> well. He has gotten comfortable with the entire process, but it did take us
> both time to adjust.
> 
> Also some other home care that might encourage Angela to eat more: A plate
> of mush made of regular pellets diluted with water, so there is something
> soft. Snowball is able to eat that. I change it twice a day, along with a
> dish of regular pellets and a bowl of water that he swishes around in his
> mouth with the hard pellets to make them softer. The hard pellets look like
> powder when he gets done with a meal.
> 
> Also if you haven't tried this, cut up the veggies in smaller slices.
> Snowball gets shredded romaine, shredded carrot bits on occasion, and he is
> able to eat leaves of cilantro. You can experiment with various shapes and
> textures to see what is acceptable to Angela. I cut apple slices in long
> thin strips the shape of Snowball's guinea pig mouth. When he is having
> trouble eating I give him soft fruits like strawberry and cantaloupe slices,
> in manageable sizes. He has a sweet tooth and loves fruit. The vet said that
> is okay, whatever he likes, because at least he is eating something.
> 
> This email is longer than I intended it to be. Even though I don't know what
> is causing her leg problem, Angela's eating problems sound so much like
> Snowball I wanted to let you know our experience. If you have tried all this
> I hope someone else will have an answer for you. Let us know how she is
> doing!