For veterinarians
October 2026
Most of these patients are not presented for “bad teeth.” They are presented for a smaller appetite, selective eating, drooling, a wet chin, weight loss, or a slowdown in the gut. Incisor overgrowth that is obvious on a conscious exam is often the least important finding. Cheek teeth and tooth roots are where the disease usually lives, and those are not assessed well in an awake rabbit or guinea pig.
A useful referral includes how long the signs have been present, current diet (hay type and how much is actually eaten), prior dental procedures and dates, and whether the patient is still producing normal fecal pellets. Skull radiographs or a CT, if you already have them, save a step. If the animal has not eaten in a day, treat it as an urgent transfer rather than a routine dental appointment.
Planning usually requires sedation or anesthesia, an oral exam, and dental imaging. Treatment may be coronal reduction, extraction of teeth that cannot be salvaged, and analgesia. Owners should hear ahead of time that dental disease in these species is often managed, not cured, and that rechecks are part of the plan.
To discuss a case or send records, call Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital at (615) 361-4646 or use the referral form.