My rabbit's teeth are too long and he can't eat. What should I do?

I am very sorry to hear about Stanley. It sounds like she definitely needs to visit the veterinarian. In a rabbit with a swelling like this we worry very much about an abscess, or pocket of infection under the skin. This can be especially common in rabbits with dental issues, such as overgrown teeth (which it sounds like your bunny is suffering from). She needs to see the vet not only to address the abscess (which may require the vet to open and drain and then prescribe antibiotics) but also to address the teeth which may require trimming to allow her to eat normally. If untreated the condition can progress and lead to a painful death as the rabbit eventually becomes unable to eat.

Unfortunately , if your bunny never had problems with his teeth before, then this overgrown front tooth is a sign of serious tooth problems overall. He likely needs his molars corrected as well as his front tooth. You will need to take him to a vet who does a lot of bunny work. He will need, anesthesia, radiographs of his head to check where and how bad the tooth problems are and then they need to be corrected. The dental problems are very likely the reason for your bunny to lose weight. Please male an appointment ASAP.

Carefully check his teeth to see if they are overgrown or misaligned. If his front teeth are fine, have him examined by your veterinarian to check his cheek teeth. These teeth need regular trimming to prevent sharp points from developing. These points can cause discomfort and may affect appetite.

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.

It looks like a big hairball that got stuck to the front teeth. You need to gently pull it out. If it is too uncomfortable for Chimmy, you will need to take him to your local vets to do it under sedation.

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.

I am also worried about Chiku. Rabbits will often decrease their food intake with oral (mouth) problems. Over grown teeth can trap the tongue and also cause ulcers or wounds in the mouth. Of course, other problems could be going on as well. I would encourage you to take him to a veterinarian. They will be able to help determine if it is his mouth giving him problems or something else. I hope he improves soon. Thanks for using Pet Coach.