[Gpdd] HEALTH: Apple's Vet Visit

[Penny Charlesworth]

Pat,

I wonder if you and your vet were looking at the buccal separators that are 
used for rabbits. These are much bigger than the dainty little devices used 
for piggies. Lots of vets here do not have these and have to make do with 
the ones for smaller rabbits.

The piggy sized ones remind me of the wire from a dismembered wooden clothes 
peg ( do you have those old fashioned ones in Canada? ). My Rodentologist 
towel wraps a piggy, lays him on his back on a pillow, inserts the wires and 
has trimmed the teeth in seconds. He only sees piggies and must have done 
this thousands of times so no piggy ever seems stressed by the procedure. I 
have watched him do this many times. Practice makes perfect! The piggy is 
immediately rewarded with something tasty, usually parsley, and has 
forgotten all about the trim before they have reached the end of their 
treat.

He never uses a dremel on piggies, but clips them and files as necessary so 
there is no noise to upset a piggy. Some may try to work the device out of 
their mouths but he quickly reinserts it and carries on.

Even I can insert the separators but, having small hands, need someone to 
hold piggy whilst I attach the device. It is then possible to look much 
further into the mouth and see what is going on.

I am so glad that oral thrush has been eliminated. It would be great if she 
did not have to have the anaesthetic next week. Even using the correct 
anaesthetic gas, Isoflurane or its sister Sevoflurane, is best avoided when 
ever possible.

Best of luck with little Apple. Keep munching little girl so that we do not 
have to worry about you.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.