Uneven upper teeth

[adoptedmom]

Hi all. I took Holden to the vet to get her upper teeth clipped and one of them is now longer than the other. The vet did not seem at all concerned about this. Should I be?:dono

[4skwerlz]

Hi all. I took Holden to the vet to get her upper teeth clipped and one of them is now longer than the other. The vet did not seem at all concerned about this. Should I be?:dono

Yes, this is a problem. The teeth need to be even so they both meet the bottom incisors correctly. Otherwise they will not wear down evenly. Uneven teeth could also throw her jaw out of alignment.

[adoptedmom]

Thanks 4S! That's what I suspected. Is there a simple way for me to take care of this at home? It's not like she's going to let me stick an emory board in her mouth and drag it back and forth....

[GoldenEyes]

If there are any wildlife rehabbers in your area, they may be able to help you. It would be difficult to hold her still and have you do it yourself and I wouldn't want anything to go wrong. I don't know if I would bring your squirrel back to that vet who didn't seem to care that the teeth were not clipped the same.

[4skwerlz]

People do trim squirrel teeth at home. There are whole threads about it here on TSB. It's not very simple though..... It depends partly on how tame your squirrel is, partly on how brave you are. Could you maybe call around and try to find a better vet? I would imagine in California, there should be some very good exotic vets.

[adoptedmom]

I would imagine in California, there should be some very good exotic vets.

We're an illegal state, so it gets a little tricky. I originally looked for a vet because she had broken her leg (my fault:shakehead too many nuts in the diet) and gotten a bloody nose. The first vet I took her to was actually recommended to me by a local rehabber, but all he did was offer me antibiotics and suggest she had a brain infection (no x-ray, no real physical exam). I was so frustrated with the "care" I got there that I immediately looked elsewhere. The vet we found is a wildlife vet, though I don't think he particularly specializes in squirrels. He did, however, x-ray her, check her extremities for blood circulation, admonish me about her poor diet, give me calcium syrup to give her, etc., so I felt like he was competent. If anyone else is in CA in the LA area and knows of a good vet who won't balk because I'm unlicensed, please PM me.

[adoptedmom]

It depends partly on how tame your squirrel is, partly on how brave you are.

I've had her since she was somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks old so she's pretty tame. (I was never even interested in squirrels before someone found her and dumped her on me, but I fell in love with her in about 30 seconds and she has lived with me for two years now). I will read the info on trimming teeth. How mad at me is she going to be if I do it myself? Thanks for the encouragement:thankyou

[Buddy'sMom]

Here are some threads to look at: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=171

And here is another, though the tooth care posts are scattered throughout a bit: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5412

Do you have Bach Rescue Remedy? That would help calm her a bit (maybe you, too :D ). The "TSB squirrels" who have had their teeth trimmed do seem to forgive their "dentists" afterward. :)

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[TERRI]

Rich and I read the threads, thought it was something we could do, and found out clipping the teeth is much harder then we thought. Gracie did a flip, curled in a ball and went stiff when we were finished. We thought we'd killed her, I don't know who was more traumatized. Be prepared if you try this on your own. It's scary. Anyone in S.E. Pa with experience that might help us out with a trim? :wave123

[adoptedmom]

Do you have Bach Rescue Remedy? That would help calm her a bit (maybe you, too :D ). The "TSB squirrels" who have had their teeth trimmed do seem to forgive their "dentists" afterward. :)


I'll need some Johnny Walker remedy to calm me down after :D

Buddy'sMom, Thanks for the threads. I started browsing TSB last night looking for information and ended up staying awake waaay too late reading about Squarlet and her odontoma saga - so having you point the way will keep me on the research path. It is sooo easy to get caught up in all the amazing fantastic stories.

I will order some Rescue Remedy. Is there a TSB consensus on whether the best way to dose her is via mist or by rubbing it on her ear? And how much do I put on my finger and how long do I wait before it takes effect?

The vet didn't sedate her or stick anything in her mouth to keep it open. He just made a burrito. I was supposed to be helping to hold her still, but I think I was too timid. She jerked her head just as he was closing the clippers on the second tooth, so it ended up longer than the first. Then she got out of her burrito - and we think she swallowed that piece of the second tooth. She was royally PO'd and was chittering and chucking at both of us like crazy and the vet decided she was too mad and still too fragile to handle any further stress. She even took a swipe at me and drew blood after she got back in her basket - a first in the two years she's owned me. The worst part was she was limping again after I brought her home - we did the whole thing sitting on the floor, but I think she wrenched her leg again when she escaped the burrito. The good part is I was there, so at least I've seen it done once.

How much time do I have before the longer tooth starts causing trouble (I need to order the BRR and some jewel grade clippers)?

[adoptedmom]

Rich and I read the threads, thought it was something we could do, and found out clipping the teeth is much harder then we thought. Gracie did a flip, curled in a ball and went stiff when we were finished. We thought we'd killed her, I don't know who was more traumatized. Be prepared if you try this on your own. It's scary.

Terri, how far did you get in the process before she flipped out? Did you use Rescue Rememdy? Did you pick a time when she was tired or wide awake? How tame is she in general?

[Sciurus1]

To find the Rescue Remedy locally, check your vitamin stores for Bach Flower Remedies that makes the Rescue Remedy, many carry it.

[Jackie in Tampa]

To find the Rescue Remedy locally, check your vitamin stores for Bach Flower Remedies that makes the Rescue Remedy, many carry it.
I found Rescue Remedy at GNC and some Walgreens Drug Stores carry it. There is now alcohol free Rescue Remedy for pets...I haven't used.
Bach's Rescue Remedy ....about $7-10.00.
I responded to your pm...then read this. You must file teeth with emory after...the tooth can be sharp and cut him while grooming. If you need more info, pm again.:flash3 Good luck...I trim about every 3 weeks!:)

[TERRI]

Terri, how far did you get in the process before she flipped out? Did you use Rescue Rememdy? Did you pick a time when she was tired or wide awake? How tame is she in general?
I did not use the rescue remedy. Didn't know about it at the time. Gracie is extremely tame, and I guess she had been out of the cage playing for quite a while. We thought we'd let her get a little energy out before we tried it. Our vet said she could do it with a dremmel, but would require using anesthesia. We didn't want to go that route. So we decided to try this on our own. We were doing this due to a broken tooth caused by her fall during a seizure. We got the bottom teeth okay, but the top is no better. She didn't bite or scratch. Just cried, did a flip, and went rigid for a minute. It really scared us though. I don't think I could try it again.

[adoptedmom]

Ok, I have clippers. I have BRR. Does anyone have a recommendation on how I administer the Rescue Remedy? Someone mentioned via the ear, but how do I do this and how much do I put on the ear and how long do I wait? Orally? How much. It does have alcohol in it - do I need to worry about that?(how much will it take to get her drunk so I can take advantage of her teeth:D ). I'm feeling like a big coward. I have Jackie's very thorough instructions about what to do, but I need some guidance on the BRR.

[Kathy56]

If you decide not to try on your own, call the Pasadena(sp)Animal Shelter. My daughter just started volunteering there and she said their wildlife lady is awesome. Maybe she could help.

[island rehabber]

adoptedmom if you can get a great vet to do it, that is always the best approach. If you can't, get yourself a nice sharp, new pair of wire cutters that feel good in your hand and get someone else to help you. Burrito your little squirrel in something soft, then have your assistant get her in the "Pilny Head Lock" -- named after my vet LOL: thumb and fingers make a collar from BEHIND the squirrel's head, around her neck, and hold firmly but not tightly. Other hand holds the squirrel's rear end and hind legs which are wrapped. The person 'presents' the squirrel to you in an upright sitting position, you put the dowel (could be a clean pen or pencil, too) behind the squirrel's front teeth, take a deep breath and prayer if you're so inclined, and CLIP. Be decisive....holding back can mean split teeth. :nono

My two maloccluded girls from last fall had their teeth clipped every three weeks since last September. They are thriving, wonderful squirrels and they don't hold it against me or Tomo, their second mom. :D

[adoptedmom]

Thanks, IR :thankyou I got the jewel grade clippers that Jackie in Tampa recommended (except I got blunt end, rather than pointed).

Any advice on how to administer the Rescue Remedy? You have any experience with it? Believer? Non-believer?

K56: Does your daughter know for sure Pasadena doesn't report unlicensed companions? CA is an illegal state.

[Kathy56]

I'll find out for you and let you know.

[adoptedmom]

I just don't know if I have the guts to do it. Can anyone out there recommend a vet in the Los Angeles area?

[Jackie in Tampa]

If someone can help me post a video, I'll trim Rocky real quick :thumbsup ...Fred said he would video. His tooth is not real long...but we can fake it enough for you to tell if you can do it.
I think I am signed up with Photo Bucket.
Can I do it with that?:dono
I am only recommending this if there are no other choices. I refuse to put Rocky under every 3 wks., and he only has one tooth...so nothing to wear it down on. Illegal state may be a problem. Rocky is super mellow, not an angel, but he works with me!

[Kathy56]

Talked to my daughter and she said they would not help with pet squirrels. They had to turn down a sugar glider earlier in the week. She used to work for a vet who treats exotics but she is not sure about squirrels. She is going to call me with his number.

[adoptedmom]

If someone can help me post a video, I'll trim Rocky real quick :thumbsup ...Fred said he would video. His tooth is not real long...but we can fake it enough for you to tell if you can do it.
I think I am signed up with Photo Bucket.
Can I do it with that?:dono
I am only recommending this if there are no other choices. I refuse to put Rocky under every 3 wks., and he only has one tooth...so nothing to wear it down on. Illegal state may be a problem. Rocky is super mellow, not an angel, but he works with me!

Jackie, please don't rush it if there is any risk to him. I couldn't live with that on my conscience.

I do have a vet in studio City who will treat her - but he's the one who wasn't concerned that the teeth ended up uneven in the first place. I am sure I can go back there and most likely she'd even leave with straight teeth this time - but it would be simpler if I could do it myself (and cheaper and easier). I am still hoping someone can give me some advice on adminstering the Rescue Remedy (or tell me it is homeopathic hocus pocus and not to bother).

It is only one tooth this time, so maybe I should just burrito her up and get it over with.

I am such a coward. I've been trying to talk myself into it for 5 or 6 days now.

I did order the clippers you recommended. Do you do Rocky at a certain time of day? Is he more willing when he is tired?

[Jackie in Tampa]

:wave123 Hello,I like to sit by the window, helps me see better. Rocky likes it when it's over.:tilt
I have used RR. Not on Rocky, :smoken he's way cool laid back.
I put 4 or 5 drops in 3/4 filled water bottle,about a cup, to a stressed sq. I maybe crazy, but I think it worked. She quit pacing and drank alot. That is the only experience I have with it. I usually get bit when helping stressed out sqs.:shakehead and she bit me too! She was calmer though.lol
Working on photobucket video thing:thinking

[Buddy'sMom]

Here are two other suggestions for using the Rescue Remedy:


Rescue Remedy is one of the Bach Flower essences and can be purchased at health food stores or through Chris's Squirrels and More. Do not use full strength. All you need is one or two drops in about a cup of water in a misting bottle. Next I gently mist the them with rescue remedy from a spray bottle. Refresh about once a week.


I use Rescue Remedy all the time on Baby, when I have to trim her nails. I put it in a tiny bit of apple juice. I use as little as possible, so I know she will drink it all. I kept an old cap off a bottle, and dribble a little juice in it, and 2 drops of Rescue Remedy. I wait 15 minutes, and see if she has started to calm down, as it isn't instantly. If not, I give her another drop, wait 15 minutes, and start to trim her nails. The trick with Rescue Remedy is you have to plan ahead, and give it time to take effect. :thumbsup

Good luck!!
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Tomo]

Here is a link I found online for a vet in So. California. There are 2 reviews on the page about a Dr. Rosscopf. Maybe you could call and see if he/she provides squirrel care.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/avian-and-exotic-animal-hospital-of-l-a-county-hawthorne

Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of L A County
4871 W Rosecrans Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 679-0693

It is important to keep the teeth even. Sometimes a tooth will break and doctors won't trim the others to match exactly, but will try to get them close.

Hope this doctor is close for you and works out! :)

[adoptedmom]

Here is a link I found online for a vet in So. California. There are 2 reviews on the page about a Dr. Rosscopf. Maybe you could call and see if he/she provides squirrel care.

Hope this doctor is close for you and works out! :)

Tomo, Thank you!!!!:thankyou :thankyou

[adoptedmom]

I refuse to put Rocky under every 3 wks., and he only has one tooth...so nothing to wear it down on. Illegal state may be a problem. Rocky is super mellow, not an angel, but he works with me!

Jackie, do you cut up his food for him into mouth size pieces?

[Tomo]

Tomo, Thank you!!!!:thankyou :thankyou


You are most welcome! :) Please let us know if it works out. If so, I'll keep it on file for the future!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Jackie, do you cut up his food for him into mouth size pieces?
Yep...I have every chopper/dicer on the market...electric, manual:sanp3
We pulverize everything:) ....and picky, lord he changes what he likes/dislikes weekly!
Going to try 4S new miracle creation, soft batch style...leaving some flour in the recipe. Hey...I like that name, Miracle Treats....pm 4S with that one.

I do realize that some TSB members are concerned about us cutting our sqs teeth. I cannot afford to have this done every three weeks. I do not have the luxury of having free vet treatment. Please know there are risks concerning odontomas. I think I refered you to Squarlets thread. Although that is not what created Her problems, it can happen due to injury caused by trimming! I am very patient with Rocky, if he is not in the mood...I try next day:) I am nervous everytime I clip, and have been doing for a few years now! In Rockys case, it will be for life. I am not correcting jaw alignment....just cutting a single tooth.
I will try to video this morning!
Maybe a video will help you decide IF you can!:peace ...j