Here we can see, “How to Take Care of Chinchilla Teeth”
Although not all exotics have tooth problems, chinchilla teeth can be problematic. Chinchillas, like a number of other exotic pets, have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. If your chinchilla doesn’t wear down these teeth on its own, you may need to trim them on a regular basis.
Hypsodont Dentition
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas have lengthy teeth that develop continually, necessitating tooth trimming. These teeth, known as hypsodont teeth, have crowns (the visible part of the teeth) that extend far beyond the gum line. When compared to the teeth of dogs, cats, or humans, hypsodont teeth are abnormally lengthy. Normal herbivores’ teeth are kept at an ideal length due to the natural grinding motion of chewing on toys, hay, and other food items, but many need to have their teeth manually cut on a regular basis due to health and hereditary issues.
Overgrown Chinchilla Teeth
When your chinchilla’s incisors, or front teeth, become enlarged, they are the easiest to spot. They usually grow to the point where they bend and protrude between the lips. They can get hooked on items or, worse, grow into the gums or roof of your chinchilla’s mouth if they get too long. Molars, or the back teeth of the mouth, can also grow to be too long. Chinchillas with overgrown molars frequently hypersalivate and struggle to chew and swallow.
Incisor Tooth Trims
Tooth trims are not painful if done appropriately. Trimming incisors can be done in one of two ways. The first way is to use standard dog nail trimmers to cut the teeth like a toenail. However, because of the effort required to use the clippers, there is a considerable chance of cracking or splitting the teeth. If the tooth is fractured up to the nerve or trimmed too short, this procedure might cause agony.
The second approach is to slice off the superfluous tooth with a handheld rotary tool, such as a Dremel, equipped with a cut-off wheel. The tooth is not harmed in any way with this approach. Only the risk of injury to the gums or lips if the wheel grazes them or if the tooth is trimmed too short should be considered. Many exotic pet facilities will perform these tooth trims for a low cost with a technician or a doctor, but an anaesthetic should be used.
Molar Tooth Trims
Molar trimming is harder than incisor trimming. Because molars are more difficult to detect than overgrowth, the pet is usually already being evaluated by a veterinarian at this point. After confirming that the molars are excessively long, the veterinarian will recommend anaesthesia to correctly trim and file the teeth. A dental bur and handheld dental files are used to temporarily incapacitate your chinchilla. This is the best way to trim molars, but some owners may be unable to afford to anaesthetize or sedate their exotic pets due to financial restrictions.
Chinchilla and other exotic pet owners who have hypsodont teeth should be aware of the potential difficulties with their pet’s teeth. Overgrown teeth might cause major trauma or anorexia if not treated properly. Overgrown teeth can be treated with regular tooth trims or resolved by extracting the problematic tooth or teeth. Give your local exotic vet a call if you need help with your chinchilla’s teeth.
User Questions
Are chinchilla teeth supposed to be yellow?
A diastema separates the incisors from the molars. A hard covering of enamel made of calcium, iron, phosphorus, and other trace minerals covers the teeth. Teeth should be dark yellow/orange in colour; pale teeth indicate calcium inadequacy.
Can you remove chinchilla teeth?
Because chinchilla teeth grow in at such odd angles and require filing every few weeks, it’s possible that all four front teeth (incisors) will need to be pulled. An incisor extraction is a difficult process, and a chinchilla will need a lot of careful care until its mouth heals.
How do I know if my chinchilla has teeth problems?
When an owner sweeps his or her fingers over the lower jaw from front to back, bumpy swellings may be noticeable. Chinchillas with dental difficulties may drool more, eat slower, choose softer or easier-to-chew meals, or eat less overall even before they show these visible abnormalities.
Why is my chinchilla’s chin wet?
Chinchillas with dental problems often slobber, which means they drool a lot and get their chins wet. At first glance, they may look like they are eating a lot, but they often drop food out of their mouths because they can’t chew.
Can you bathe chinchillas in water?
To avoid fungal infections and other health problems, Chinchillas should not be bathed in water. Fortunately, they’re usually self-cleaning devices that don’t require much maintenance to keep fresh and soft. Simply supply the dust in a safe bath hut a few times a week for 10 minutes or so.
Conclusion
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