How I treat Wilmington's Malocclusion

What is Malocclusion?

Wilmington has malocclusion. That means her teeth do not align properly when her jaws are closed. Because of this misalignment and the fact rabbit teeth do not stop growing, Wilmington's teeth turn into tusks. If you would like to learn more about rabbit teeth and how malocclusion affects your rabbit, check out the YouTube video below.

Wilmington and Malocclusion

After 4 months and right before Wilmington's next teeth trimming.

I learned Wilmington had malocclusion when she was 6 weeks. My rabbit savvy friend examined Wilmington and showed me her misaligned teeth. I didn't think much of Wilmington's malocclusion. Her teeth didn't grow quickly to cause me any alarm. What I did though, was keep in mind her condition and made sure she always had something to chew, specifically timothy hay. Timothy hay is beneficial for your rabbit's diet as well as their dental health.

As Wilmington got older she developed a mild case of  malocclusion. It takes 4 months for her teeth to reach the length in the photo above. As a college student, you don't have much funds or a steady income. This lack of financial stability makes it difficult to treat any deformities or illnesses your rabbit may have. Finances were and still are a struggle for me, so before taking Wilmington to the vet, I gave her toys - all kinds of toys. I filled used toilet paper rolls with timothy hay. I gave her willow branches to chew. Ultimately, I learned Wilmington does not chew like rabbits are notoriously known for.

Treating Malocclusion

Making sure your rabbit chews is the first malocclusion tip fellow rabbit owners will recommend. Chewing slows down the growth by wearing down the teeth. Wilmington's lack of chewing activity did not help her condition. If your rabbit has malocclusion do not rely on chewing as treatment. It may work for a while but, eventually the condition will worsen and you will need to trim the teeth.

The first thing you want to do is research malocclusion and the different treatments. Research helps you understand your rabbit's condition or deformity better and prepares you for vet visits. If you feel you don't have time to do extra research, try researching while waiting for class or eating. You can learn a lot about rabbit health in 15 minutes. I also watch a lot of rabbit YouTube videos. YouTube videos come in handy when you are in a pinch with time.

While researching you will encounter two forms to trim your rabbit's teeth. One form uses a saw and the second uses plyers. The saw saws off the over grown teeth while the plyers clip them off. These treatments do not remove the teeth. They simply shorten the teeth to a healthy length. If your rabbit has a severe case of malocclusion, meaning they require frequent teeth trimmings in a short period of time, research or ask your vet about complete removal of the teeth.

One major risk to consider about the saw is not being present during the procedure. Some vets will take your rabbit to a back room and perform the procedure behind a closed door. You will not be able to observe the vet and their vet technician during the procedure. Anything could go wrong behind that closed door and I would like to be present during the procedure to make sure my rabbit is being treated correctly.

Another risk to consider about the saw is the time. Your rabbit will have to endure a semi-slow procedure awake or asleep. Using the saw is a delicate procedure. If your rabbit makes a sudden movement, they can injure themselves with the saw. In some cases, the vet will inject your rabbit with an anesthesia. Just like how surgeons give us anesthesia during surgery to keep us from moving, your vet might do the same with your rabbit. Vets typically do this extra procedure if your rabbit does not stay still at all.   

In my opinion, I do not like the vet using the saw on Wilmington. Mainly, because Wilmington's vet does not perform the procedure in front of me. If my vet allowed me to be present during the procedure, I would definitely allow them to use the saw instead of the plyers. In addition, Wilmington is in total shock and fear after the procedure that she won't move for about an hour. Most rabbit owners prefer the saw because there are less serious risks compared to the plyers.

One risk to consider about the plyers is you may crack the tooth longitudinally. Longitudinal cracks can lead to infections. Another risk to consider is injuring your rabbit's jaw. Your rabbit's jaw can be injured when you do not handle them properly.  Rabbits are very aware of their surroundings so they will try to move out of your arms if they sense they are in danger. 

Most rabbits do not like being touched so before using plyers, make sure you know how to handle your rabbit correctly. Watch the YouTube video below to learn how to correctly pick up your rabbit. This video also gives some good tips on what to do when you first bring your rabbit home or to a new place. 

In my experience, it is a lot easier to use plyers when two people are involved. One person could handle the rabbit in a "bunny burrito" - a rabbit wrapped in a towel or blanket - while the other uses the plyers. My dad is usually the one to use the plyers while I hold Wilmington in a "bunny burrito."

For the most part, Wilmington is compliant during the procedure. Occasionally she will prolong the procedure by licking my fingers and opening and closing her jaw. That is just her way of telling me she does not enjoy partaking in the procedure and she wants a break. Unfortunately, there isn't much for you to do when this occurs. Simply let your rabbit rest for a while and comfort them. You do not want your rabbit to be moving while the plyers are in their mouth. The same rule applies when the vet is using the saw.

After researching, make an appointment with an exotic vet. Finding an exotic vet in a major city is a lot easier than finding an exotic vet in a minor city where I live. You can find an exotic vet in the Stockton area here. You will need to find a large chunk of free time in your day to call vet clinics. Rabbits are considered an exotic pet so you will need to make sure vet clinics in your area treat exotic pets. Calling vet clinics is a great way to learn what kinds of services they offer. Phone calls are a lot quicker than searching through their website.

If you are wondering how much it will cost you to trim your rabbit's teeth, the answer depends on your exotic vet. How will your vet trim your rabbit's teeth? That too depends on the vet. Some vets will use a saw to cut off the teeth or they will use plyers to clip off the teeth. Vets who use a saw to trim your rabbit's teeth will charge you more while vets who use plyers will charge you less. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which procedure you should follow. Consider the risks, prices and your ability to perform and pay for these procedures.