Rabbits have open-rooted teeth, meaning their teeth are always growing. This often leads to a common issue for rabbit owners: if the teeth are not properly trimmed, they can become misaligned and interfere with the rabbit’s normal chewing process, a condition known as malocclusion.
According to a study conducted by Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, around 7% of rabbits below the age of 3 years and 14% above the age of 3 suffered from malocclusion. This marked it one of the most common dental diseases in rabbits.
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The Basics Explained
Before we dive into the topic of overgrown teeth or malocclusion, let’s take a moment to familiarize ourselves with the basic structure of your rabbit’s teeth.
Rabbits have a total of 28 teeth, which include six incisors (the front teeth) and 22 cheek teeth or molars (the back teeth).
Now rabbits have open-rooted teeth. This simply means they will keep growing throughout their entire life.
The constant growth of their teeth allows them to effectively grind down these fibrous materials. However, this continuous growth also presents the risk of malocclusion.
“Malocclusion occurs when the teeth become misaligned, leading to overgrowth, uneven wear, and potential pain for the rabbit. This can affect their front teeth (incisors), back teeth (molars), or both.”, says, Dr Shiwani Tandel, Veterinarian, M.VSc & M.Vet Sci and founder of Phoenix Veterinary Specialty Clinic, who specializes in exotic animals such as rabbits
Overgrown Teeth in Rabbits
In the case of incisor malocclusion, the front teeth can overgrow and curl or twist, making it difficult for the rabbit to grasp and eat their food.
Molar malocclusion, on the other hand, is a bit trickier to observe as it affects the back teeth.
It results in the formation of sharp edges or spurs. These sharp points can cause painful cuts inside the cheeks and on the tongue, which is extremely painful. Additionally, these cuts can become potential sites for infections to develop.
If left untreated, malocclusion can cause severe pain, difficulties with eating, weight loss, and severe complications like abscesses. In some cases, malocclusion can even prove fatal.
Taking care of your rabbit’s well-being means tackling this condition as soon as possible. The sooner you do that, the better chances they have of bouncing back without any future complications. You can keep an eye out for common symptoms and make it a habit to regularly check your rabbit’s teeth at home.
What Causes Overgrown Teeth?
Malocclusion in rabbits can arise from various factors, including genetics, environmental influences like trauma or tooth loss, and most commonly, a lack of fibre in their diet. Understanding these causes can really help us prevent or manage them better.
Let’s take a look at some common causes of malocclusion in rabbits in a bit more detail:
Diet and Chewing Habits:
When it comes to malocclusion, a poor diet without enough hay is a major culprit. Hay is essential for rabbits because it provides the necessary fibre and roughage for their teeth to wear down properly.
To prevent malocclusions, chew toys can also be helpful since they give rabbits something to gnaw on, and in turn, help grind down their teeth and maintain optimal dental health.
Dr Tandel mentions that an Incorrect diet(like human foods rich in carbs) makes the rabbit more prone to infections and thereby infections and abscesses at the base of the tooth.
Genetic Predisposition:
Sometimes, malocclusion can be congenital, meaning it’s in their genes!
Certain rabbit breeds (like the Netherland dwarf) are more prone to developing malocclusion due to inherited traits. This means that their upper and lower jaws may not align correctly, leading to inadequate tooth grinding.
Typically, if it’s a genetic issue, it becomes noticeable by the time the rabbit reaches one year of age.
Trauma or Injury:
If your rabbit experiences a fall, a bump, or gets a blow to the face, it can cause its teeth to become misaligned, resulting in malocclusion. Similarly, biting something excessively hard can also throw off the proper alignment.
When the teeth don’t align correctly it means they can’t grind against each other properly, which can lead to further complications.
Often, these dental misalignments originate in the rabbit’s early years when their teeth are still developing, potentially remaining unnoticed by pet owners until later in the animal’s life.
Symptoms of Overgrown Teeth:
To figure out if your rabbit might have malocclusion, keep an eye out for these common symptoms.
- Altered Eating Habits: Rabbits with malocclusion may show a decrease in appetite, reluctance to eat, or difficulty picking up and chewing food.
- Weight Loss: Dental issues can hinder their ability to consume an adequate amount of food.
- Excessive Drooling and Salivation: It can be a result of the pain and discomfort caused by misaligned teeth.
- Abnormal Incisor Appearance: Malocclusion can lead to the overgrowth or uneven wear of these front teeth. They may become elongated or curved.
- Facial Swelling or Abscesses: Swelling or lumps around the face and jaw can indicate the formation of abscesses.
- Watery Eyes: Watery eyes without any apparent reason can be linked to malocclusion.
How To Treat Overgrown Teeth?
To manage malocclusion, it’s important to focus on prevention through a good diet and providing chew toys. However, remember that once malocclusion has already developed, prevention alone won’t solve the problem.
In such cases, there are two primary treatment options: dental trimming or extraction.
The first step towards treating malocclusion is to take your rabbit to the veterinarian for a thorough examination.
The vet will carefully assess your rabbit’s dental condition, paying close attention to any signs of malocclusion. In some cases, X-rays might be necessary to get a clearer understanding, especially if there’s a possibility of both incisor and cheek teeth malocclusion.
Based on the findings, the vet will provide you with advice on the most suitable treatment approach for your rabbit’s specific condition.
Dental Trimming
One of the primary treatments for malocclusion involves regular dental trimming with the use of a dental burr.
This procedure, done every four to six weeks, helps correct the alignment of the teeth by reducing any overgrown areas.
It’s important to note that you should never attempt to clip your rabbit’s teeth with clippers or scissors. This can actually do more harm than good, potentially causing tooth fractures and infections. So, it’s best to leave it to the professionals who have the right tools and expertise.
Tooth Extraction
This is usually considered when the malocclusion is severe or recurrent. During the procedure, one or more teeth are carefully extracted. Since this is a significant surgery, it requires anaesthesia for your rabbit.
If their incisors are the ones that get extracted, you’ll have to make some adjustments to their diet, like cutting and grating their veggies since they won’t be able to bite it effectively. This way, they can still enjoy their veggies without any difficulty.
To wrap it up, it’s best to catch problems early on before they get out of hand. So, keep an eye out for any signs of malocclusion and seek professional care.
And remember, regular check-ups with your vet and a good diet for your rabbit are key. These steps are important in preventing malocclusion, so your bunny can have the healthiest teeth possible.