Guinea pigs, rabbits, and chinchillas are all are hindgut fermenters. Because of their many similarities, they can develop some of the same medical issues. So, we can group them together as we explore ways to prevent and manage dental disease.
These animals must eat all the time… 24/7. It’s essential for their gut to have continuous food ingestion in order to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria. If they aren’t eating, the gastrointestinal tract puts on the breaks and goes into a standstill. And so, if they stop eating, that is the main tell-tale sign to reach out to your vet. There could be an issue in their oral cavity or something more severe.
Also, they don’t chew as we do. Instead, they grind their food in a circular motion. Their teeth are also not like humans, dogs, or cats, because the roots continuously grow, so they develop points on their teeth which can cause tongue irritation because of the sharpness. When their teeth grow excessively, it could be painful which unfortunately forces your pet to refrain from eating. You may see food dropping from the oral cavity due to the pain from chewing(grinding).
A reduced appeal for food can be a sign something is wrong, but here are a here more ways that may indicate a developing problem: weight loss, increase salivation, no stool. Lack of stool is major because these animals are poop machines! So, if they normally poop 60-80 pellets per day, and it’s reduced to just 30, you know there’s something going on.
Now, to remedy whatever issues your animal is facing you can start by making sure they have a well-balanced pelleted diet. It should consist of what’s necessary to help them grind their teeth: wood chips, wood blocks, and rough grass like Timothy hay. They will also need dental exams, which would include filing of the teeth.
Remember, preventive care is recommended so dental disease does not develop or lead to more serious health problems that could shorten their lifespan. It’s important to pay attention to the signs because 48 hours could mean a life-or-death situation. Every minute your pet isn’t eating, their digestive tract is being harmed. Be your pet’s support and jump start their engine with fluids to maintain hydration, elements for proper nutrition, and pain medication when necessary.
If you are unsure what your pet may need, contact your vet. They can best guide you to have good husbandry when taking care of your pets.