Dental emergency - Update Saturday 3:15pm

This morning, my lionhead boy Spain wasn't eating, so I checked his teeth and was horrified to see the extent of his dental problems. Bottom incisors sticking out forwards and starting to curl up, and top teeth very long too. He was obviously in pain and needed seeing asap. So I rang my vet, said it was an emergency... could they see him today? No. For operations we need to bring rabbits in to the vets before 9am.
So I said..... Tomorrow? knowing they have normal hours on sat / sundays. Also said perhaps he can be neutered at the same time?
No.... Bring him in next Wednesday, as they had no slots free until then.
I told them I wasn't prepared to wait until Wednesday with a dental emergency.
We took Spain to another vet this afternoon. He has had all his front teeth extracted, and he has been castrated, plus his nails trimmed. We left him there and collected the animal feed from the warehouse down the road, then sat and waited for him to recover enough to bring him home.
He's going to be fine (I think), but what he would have been like if he needed to wait 5 days for emergency care, doesn't bear thinking about.

How is he doing? That's a lot for him to deal with all at once.

Will he need to be syringe fed for a while now?

He is still very sleepy, and so far hasn't eaten anything. I was told to wait 2-3 hours to see if he will eat unaided, and then syringe-feed if needed. He's with his ladybun, and has a heatmat. he has lots of herbs to try to tempt him. Hoping for a good result.
I have never cared for a bunny with no front teeth before.

Is this the same vets that saw to Faith originally?

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:Is this the same vets that saw to Faith originally?

^^I was wondering the same thing!!

I hope he starts eating soon and recovers well! I'm glad you got him seen today! I'm sure I remember someone on here saying about a rabbit they had that had no teeth at all and eats fine because their gums harden up, I guess it will just take some time!

Sending get well vibes!!

Rabbits only use their front teeth for picking things up and biting things off. They chew with the molars at the back so as long as things are cut fairly small they should be ok.

I think it's time that you changed vet's Jan and I'd get all your buns health checked in case anymore have dental problems, are these that you have in at the moment from the RSPCA?

Yes this is the same vet who first saw Faith, and mis-diagnosed her, wanting her PTS. We have only been with this vet for a few months. I was happy with our much nearer bunny savvy vet that we had before, but gareth has had an argument with them about money, and won't let me go back to them. He is the fundraiser and chief exec. and I cant over ride his decision.
The (new) vet that saw Spain today seems good, but is much further away. However, they were happy to take on an emergency dental bun with virtually no notice.
If we just had rabbits, I would be tempted to change to Maysie and Mikes' vet, but we have everything from dogs to ponies here.

All the buns here are having a MOT as soon as I can arrange it.
They are not from the RSPCA. Most of them (including Spain who had the op today) came from a family who had "too many rabbits" and couldn't cope. I took 9 including a pregnant doe.

Goodness me that does sound like alot to deal with in one go :-/ hope Spain feels better really soon xx

I was just thinking whether, in light of both Spain's problems and Faiths, that you should plead with Gareth to change his mind. You will not have a good reputation as a rescue if your animals are in poor condition. Even if he only lets the rabbits be seen at the old vets. With my pair I know I would pay significantly more to have my rabbit savvy vet's expertise as so many vets just don't understand. (but don't tell her I said that!)

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:I was just thinking whether, in light of both Spain's problems and Faiths, that you should plead with Gareth to change his mind. You will not have a good reputation as a rescue if your animals are in poor condition. Even if he only lets the rabbits be seen at the old vets. With my pair I know I would pay significantly more to have my rabbit savvy vet's expertise as so many vets just don't understand. (but don't tell her I said that!)

I'm afraid I have to agree with this, at the end of the day a decent rabbit vet is what you need, Spain's teeth sounded horrendous and I bet he will need more dentals and needing regular check up's, our vet was shocked at Faith's and she will have to keep going back to get her teeth sorted as her whole mouth is misaligned.

I would get Gareth to apologise to the other vet as obviously they were much better

Sounds like a very tricky situation, I'm sure the vets a professional amd even of there is bad feeling the bunnies will be treated well. Could you take the buns to Mile and Mayseis vet and stick with your other vet for the other animals? All your hard work in caring for the buns will ultimately be in vain if they aren't receiving adequate vetinary care... awfull to think of them suffering such severe dental issues when it could all be fixed by a savvy vet :-/

I agree with the others, that's now two bunnies you've had a bad experience with at this vets and it just isn't worth the stress and hassle.

Big to all of you. I hope Spain is ok

Aww, poor Spain!

I hope he feels better real soon.

I agree with the others, I wouldn't be going back to that vet! Imagine telling you to wait that long! It's madness

I hope Spain soon feels better

I'm in utter disbelief at the vet

Ours will bend over backwards for us. She might not be a rabbit 'specialist' but she is definitely rabbit-savvy and knows what our needs are, or is willing to find out. I think having a vet who owns / has owned rabbits also helps, as they know how to handle them properly and better understand the sort of care they need.

We think you should go back to your original vet regardless. Our bunny health is more important than a few pound notes and Gareth should realise that! Our humans found us a wonderful vet called Claire and cost isn't an issue where we are concerned

My vet isn't a rabbit specialist, isn't particularly rabbit savvy - but she is getting there! She has learnt loads from Rory, has done hrs of research when he has been unwell, is always happy to take advice from specialists (John chitty being one) an has really bent over backwards for us. Also she changed the VHD jab they used when Felix had the Cylap limp. A good vet is crucial for these troublesome complicated fluff balls

how is he this eve hun??

He's still sleepy. Not eaten or had a drink. An hour ago I syringe fed him, and he was so very good.

Poor little Spain that is a lot to deal with.

Time to change vets I think what with Faith and now Spain.
I cannot believe they wanted you to wait, do they not realise how dangerous that would have been.

We have complained (again) to the head of the practice. He is as shocked as we are, and says this should not have happened.
He is going to bring up our concerns at a staff meeting.
I have absolutely no confidence in them now.

Fingers crossed they will do something about this. x x

Poor little guy please give him a gentle nose rub from us.

Has he got any pain relief from the vets?

I hope Spain is comfortable and gets his appetite back, get well soon little guy

Katieb wrote:
Has he got any pain relief from the vets?

He's got metacam which I can start with tomorrow. He has had some pain relief by injection at the vets.
He's just had another syringe feed. He loves banana and apple baby food.