Why Guinea Pigs Develop Malocclusion (Bad Bite)
📝 Summary
Guinea pig malocclusion is common because their teeth grow continuously and need constant wear. Signs include trouble chewing or swallowing and reduced intake; diagnosis is by exam or imaging under anesthesia. Treatment is dental burring to restore the bite - extractions are nearly impossible. Feed high-fiber food and schedule checkups.
1 Guinea Pig Malocclusion: Causes, Signs, and Treatment
Why guinea pigs get malocclusion
1. How it forms. Clinically, dental issues are common due to guinea pig tooth anatomy: all teeth are open-rooted and grow continuously. Poor diet or low chewing lets uneven wear cause malocclusion.
2. Symptoms. Malocclusion brings chewing and swallowing difficulty and reduced intake, even anorexia. Symptoms show sooner than in rabbits because guinea pigs hide little; slight bite-plane changes affect other teeth and chewing, and slight overgrowth affects the tongue and swallow.
3. Diagnosis. Tear overflow and lower-jaw bone deformation are two early signs vets use; overlong teeth and jaw spikes also signal disease. Oral exam beyond the incisors is painful, so it needs general anesthesia.
4. Treatment. The first treatment is dental equipment to correct the bite – shortening the clinical crown and restoring the normal slope. Because of molar curvature, extraction is very hard, almost impossible, unless the tooth is loose from disease.
To prevent dental disease, feed a balanced diet rich in fiber and schedule regular oral checks.
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