Does Your Prairie Dog Have Tooth Problems?

Does your prairie dog have tooth problems? Many people aren't even aware that prairie dogs can actually be pets. Therefore, it can sometimes be difficult to find information on problems that your pet prairie dog may be suffering from. Some common disorders that these pets have are dental disorders. This article will discuss the various types of dental disorders that prairie dogs suffer from.

Pets like hamsters and prairie dogs have teeth that continuously grow. Therefore, they need to chew on things and file their teeth down. Overgrown teeth are only one dental disorder that prairie dogs face, others include odontoma, malocclusion, and broken teeth.

Odontoma is the name for when the root of a tooth becomes inflamed resulting in the blockage of the nasal passage. A prairie dog with odontoma will have breathing difficulties.

Malocclusion is when teeth on the upper and lower jaws are uneven. This sometimes results in overgrown teeth and tissue damage inside the mouth.

Broken and fractured teeth are usually the result of an injury or from a prairie dog gnawing on inappropriate materials such as its cage.

Symptoms of these various dental disorders may vary depending on the disorder, however most of them include symptoms such as difficulty eating, weight loss, excessive drooling, abscesses in the mouth, and bleeding from the mouth. If you prairie dog allows you to look at its mouth or you watch it eat, you may also notice if it's teeth are overgrown, broken or misaligned.

A veterinarian can properly diagnose the specific dental disorder that a prairie dog may have. They can also figure out what is the underlying cause of the disorder and then can properly treat it. The most effective treatment for dental issues is to file or clip a prairie dog's teeth to an appropriate and healthy length. If a prairie dog has reoccurring dental issues, they may have to make dental visits to a veterinarian every month or every couple months. Dietary improvements and supplements can sometimes effectively treat certain types of dental disorders.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.