incisor removal in rabbits

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:12:12 GMT

Welcome back Mark!!

As for the tooth. You know you've got it, as the end is almost translucent and is slightly hollow.

Now where is that tortoise, chinchilla, guinea pig, rabbit question I've been storing up?

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:51:17 GMT

What the HEY

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:08:13 GMT

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Mark Rowland — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:38:28 GMT

Dont do this

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:20:08 GMT

Well done These are cases where a 100% trustworthy anaesthetist is a must

Wynne

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:42:35 GMT

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

a.bardell — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:11:35 GMT

Hi all

thanks for all the helpful tips.

thought i'd update you all and say that I managed fine. Intubated rabbit and then just took my time. interestingly both the top incisors had twisted roots so was a bit of a challenge to get the angle right for traction to pull out but got there in the end.

thanks again

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Mark Holmes — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 07:25:06 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Mark Holmes"]You are digging around the mouth and then into the bone.[/quote]

Umm..... you shouldn't be digging into bone. In fact if you do a perfect job no bone should be injured.

But yes, if in the individual case you feel an antibiotic course would be wise, then give it.

[/quote] Well not so much into bone intentionally but given that you are working blind down a long curving tunnel with sharp things can you be confident you always do a perfect job?

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:18:01 GMT

[quote user="Mark Holmes"]You are digging around the mouth and then into the bone.[/quote]

Umm..... you shouldn't be digging into bone. In fact if you do a perfect job no bone should be injured.

But yes, if in the individual case you feel an antibiotic course would be wise, then give it.

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:11:45 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

Or are owners genuinely interested to see the teeth? Or is the small child hoping the long eared tooth fairy will visit?

[/quote]

One or the other of those.

Yes, they are always interested in seeing the teeth and generally are amazed at the length and curvature. Thus they begin to appreciate what you have done for them. Sometimes I save cats' and dogs' teeth for the same purpose. Education is good.

I've taken these days to adding local analgesia: preparatory to commencing, inject a little local analgesic intra-ligamental all round. After finishing, shoot a little more into the empty alveolus. It's hard to tell how much this helps, but it's easy and seems logical.

I second dandelions. I have no shortage of them round the premises, except at this time of year.

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Mark Holmes — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:04:19 GMT

Is it awful to suggest covering abs? You are digging around the mouth and then into the bone. There is a long alveolus which limits any drainage and tge bone stock is probably poor anyway. I only suggest this because I have taken a lot of teeth out and never really considered it but the last got a nasty osteomyelitis which ultimately proved fatal.

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

scatty — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:50:28 GMT

Are you saying the rabbit sketch wasn't helpful?!?!

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

scatty — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:48:56 GMT

Are you saying the rabbit sketch wasn't helpful?!?

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Rob Loxley — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:34:30 GMT

[quote user="scatty"]As Evelyn said, keep the incisors to show the owner[/quote]

This always seems to get mentioned - I assume it is to demonstrate you've removed the whole tooth? If so, do you present the whole ovaries for inspection by the owner when you discharge the bitch spay? Or are owners genuinely interested to see the teeth? Or is the small child hoping the long eared tooth fairy will visit?

Anyway my more helpful suggestions (crossley luxator, hypodermic needle, intubation, good pain relief and patience) have already been covered

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

scatty — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:29:40 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

As has been said, patience is the key. The minute you get stressed or tired, the tooth will break. Therefore, make sure you aren't under a lot of time pressure, sit down in a comfortable position, and just slowly work the tooth loose. Don't forget the main attachments are medial and lateral.

It goes without saying but a good level of anaesthesia is a must. Don't try to do it with a mask (or without O2) - intubation is a necessity really.

Decent analgesia post op should mean the rabbit is eating dandelions (our post op treat of choice) later that day.

Good luck!

[/quote]I agree with decent anaesthesia. Using a mask is pointless for this kind of thing. I always find using xylazine/ketamine is a good combination for these rabbits. As Evelyn said, keep the incisors to show the owner. A very legendary vet from our practice who has now gone back to Australia used to stick them on a piece of paper incoporated into a cartoon sketch of a rabbit's face! (not saying you have to do that though ;)

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:59:27 GMT

It goes without saying but a good level of anaesthesia is a must. Don't try to do it with a mask (or without O2) - intubation is a necessity really.

Decent analgesia post op should mean the rabbit is eating dandelions (our post op treat of choice) later that day.

Good luck!

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Nicola Lawlor — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:32:07 GMT

It's been said already - gently and PATIENTLY - and warn the owner in advance that sometimes they break and will need a repeat procedure in the future despite taking the best of care with what you do. One of these is helpful too though I still end up with a long needle in addition http://www.veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/product.php?productid=795&cat=0&page=1

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Rob Loxley — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:33:58 GMT

http://www.vetinst.com/skin1/admin/UserFiles/File/JS%20PDF/RABBIT%20INCISOR%20EXTRACTION%20-%20012197CR.pdf

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:23:47 GMT

Be patient, be patient, be patient.

Constantly visualise the anatomy as you do it.

Remember if a tooth is highly curved it has to come out along a highly curved path.

Invest in a Crossley rabbit incisor luxator.

Be patient.

Guddle slightly in the empty alveolus with sterile instrument in the hope of being certain of destroying the dental sac otherwise the tooth may grow again (not the end of the world if it does).

Flush the alveolus like mad with sterile saline.

If the tooth does break it's also not the end of the world, but it means you have to give pain relief, wait for it to grow again and then try again.

Be patient.

Don't forget the peg teeth.

Keep the extracted teeth to show the owner.

Re: incisor removal in rabbits

Steve Johnson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:00:14 GMT

My best advice is not to use any kind of forceps at all, just your fingers as every time I try to get cocky and use them, I break the bloody tooth!