My rabbit grinds teeth after dental surgery. Is it due to pain?

Thanks for reaching out about Stewie. Bruxism (grinding of the teeth) can be a sign of pain in rabbits, In addition, a decreased appetite is also a sign of pain that is originating somewhere in the body. When a rabbit eats less and has a decrease in defecation, this is termed gastrointestinal stasis. Unfortunately, there are many reasons for GI stasis to occur, including infections, tooth problems, masses, arthritis, etc. Due to the many reasons that GI stasis can occur, I would recommend having Stewie evaluated by a veterinarian. With his history of intermittent diarrhea, your veterinarian will likely want to evaluate the feces, so please bring in a fresh sample, if any is produced. Your veterinarian can also perform a thorough physical examination, and then will likely recommend some diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the pain and GI stasis if there is not an obvious reason found on physical examination. They can also provide you with pain medications. Please don't give Stewie any human medications at home, as many of these can be harmful to our furry friends. If you are having trouble identifying a veterinarian who is comfortable with rabbits in your area, you can visit the AEMV website for assistance. I hope this gives you a place to start, and that Stewie feels better soon.

Rabbits grind their teeth when they are in pain or have a problem with their teeth or digestion. This is pretty much an emergency and you will need to take your bunny to a veterinarian, preferably one who treats bunnies regularly, for an exam. This is a general sign, so there is no way of pinpointing a cause without an hands-on exam and possibly x-rays of the teeth if indicated.

Continue syringe feeding him and medicating him. If you can get some Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores, that would be recommended. Have him rechecked by your veterinarian when you can to rule out any complications from the procedure. If his teeth needed extensive work, the recovery period may be prolonged.

Poor Oreo! Unfortunately there aren't any OTC pain relievers you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to rabbits and can be fatal if given. The ones that are safe should only be used under strict vet supervision, and because I can't see him in person, it's illegal for me to recommend any of them. I would see if you can give your vet a call about his pain and discuss pain medication recommendation. If he does appear very painful, I would take him into an ER vet right away. Good luck with him, I hope he feels better soon!

Thanks for sending the pictures of Brit. It appears as if Brit has eye discharge, possibly from an infection or blockage of her tear ducts. The tears can not drain, and then course down the side of face, causing the hair to fall out. This can also be caused by dental disease. Grinding teeth is often an indication of pain. Her head is held down and eye closed, another sign she is not feeling well. By the pictures she also appears thin, as if she is not eating well. There is no human medicine or any medicines that can be prescribed without being seen by a veterinarian. You should try and see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Also rabbits need to be spayed to prevent reproductive disease. Hope it works out well.

Thanks for reaching out about Blueberry. Being bloated, lethargic and grinding teeth make this an emergency and should been seen tonight, ASAP. Grinding the teeth is a sign of pain. A gastrointestinal or urinary obstruction are possible. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Thumper and including photos. By the description and swelling on the right side of the face, a dental abscess is highly suspicious. The dental disease is making it difficult for Thumper to eat, therefore loosing weight. A veterinary visit is recommended, the sooner the better. Rarely do antibiotics solve this problem, might requiring some surgery or tooth extraction. Good luck.