using a dremel

[pappy1264]

I am wondering, has anyone ever used a dremel to trim teeth? There is a reason I ask, which I will explain later, but wanted to see what people say. So, has any used one or had a vet used one, to trim overgrown teeth and what is your thoughts on using one. Thank you.

[Jackie in Tampa]

many many vets do use them... I have two dremels and do not use them, they scare many of my patients....
I am a bench jeweler by trade, and also a carpenter... it's a great tool that will cause extreme heat on bone.
AND the person trimming need be experienced in the dental anatomy of a sq or the damage could be a disaster...

I don't think they are bad.... but not my personal choice.

[CritterMom]

many many vets do use them... I have two dremels and do not use them, they scare many of my patients....
I am a bench jeweler by trade, and also a carpenter... it's a great tool that will cause extreme heat on bone.
AND the person trimming need be experienced in the dental anatomy of a sq or the damage could be a disaster...

I don't think they are bad.... but not my personal choice.

I would also add that if you are going to try, make sure you do so with one of the more expensive dremel models that has a variable speed motor. You can slow them down to the point where they are spinning very slowly, and the slower it spins and the less pressure you use, the less heat is generated. They even make attachments that allow for a remote handpiece that is only the size of a fat ballpoint - the part that holds the bit - and it is a lot easier to hold than the entire tool is...

[Jackie in Tampa]

I would also add that if you are going to try, make sure you do so with one of the more expensive dremel models that has a variable speed motor. You can slow them down to the point where they are spinning very slowly, and the slower it spins and the less pressure you use, the less heat is generated. They even make attachments that allow for a remote handpiece that is only the size of a fat ballpoint - the part that holds the bit - and it is a lot easier to hold than the entire tool is...
the type I have is professional...a true flex shaft.... not what is seen on TV or at Home Depot...
my machine hangs and has a cable driven shaft, variable speed foot pedal controlled...
the vet uses a different type all together but same principle and control as mine... seriously made to work on metal...
good points Cm.

[IrishHarps]

Hey JIT, you're a bench jeweler?

That is awesome - my husband is too!!

[IrishHarps]

We are probably the only other people on here who have a flex shaft at home too ;-)

[CritterMom]

Nope - I just had to replace mine...It was probably 35 years old and worked like a charm but the flex shaft broke internally and the new flex shafts don't marry up to the mounting on the old dremels. Boy was I ticked - I bet the new one doesn't last 35 years!!

And yes I called them - unfortunately my dremel was older than anyone at the manufacturer and nobody could help me!!

[IrishHarps]

Haha, nice! Maybe I need to get my hubby an account on here too :)

Check Ebay for parts or for a new-old flex shaft. You can find everything on Ebay.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

eeeekkkk! I don't think putting drills in mouths of squirrels is a good idea at all.

[MJS]

EEEEKKKK!!! IS THAT REALLY YOU CSL???? :Welcome BACK!!!!

[pappy1264]

I asked because a friend had to take her squirrel to a vet to have its teeth done. They did it with a dremel and they showed her. Took the vet a few moments, but weeks later, she needed to do them...it took her a LONG TIME, and she said it was the worst experience ever. Wouldn't it have been a better choice for the vet to show her how to just cut them (given most won't have the type of dremel equipment the vet uses or the experience)? She is traumatized, as is her squirrel (who will not let her near her now!)

[cnmnnaturalist]

Unless you have a very quiet flex-head attachment (usually one designed for dental/veterinary purposes), the use of a Dremel can be very traumatic and dangerous. Even with an attachment and the proper tool head, one slip and you can do very serious damage to the animal if you are inexperienced.

Using nippers or other dental cutters is probably the best method (at least in my opinion).

One alternative chewing aid I've been using with my babies is antler chews. We have a couple of old antlers out in the yard (elk and moose) that the wild squirrels and chipmunks have been chewing on and when I got my three babies, I bought a couple of dog antler chews for them and they really liked it, and it seems more effective than things such as cuttlebones and other stuff.

[MollyBear361]

The first vet that Winston (Richardson Ground Squirrel) went to used a dremel. They had to knock him out for it. He was in quite a bit of pain and swollen after. He has no upper incisors. They dremeled his bottom incisors to even them out and then said he had hooks on his back teeth so dremeled those down/off. They didn't tell me he would have any problems. I don't think they could have clipped the hooks in his back teeth anyways. The next day and for the next week his poor little mouth was swollen and he screeched when you touched near his mouth. I got on the board and was advised to give him infant ibuprofen. I did that for a week. RGS have VERY small mouths though and nothing like Grey or Fox squirrels. His mouth is the size of the top of my pinky. I don't know if he was sore from the stretching his poor little mouth to get the dremel in or from the actual dremeling process. Poor Guy...That is my experience. I didn't get to go in and see him do it and Winston was under the entire time.

[magna]

Hi we took in two maloclussions in the spring and were shown how to clip them, never cut one before. Very easy to do. A squirt of rescue remedy 15 minutes before and a good burrito wrap. I was using flat sticks but they can roll them out so we changed over to paint brushes. The variety pack from Wally world that are about the size of your finger, round and tapered. Rub the shaft with Pam to make them slide on the side of their mouth and slip them in. Clipping takes less than two minutes litteraly for us now, then a rub down, a house run and a frozen fruit bite and they are done. One of our boys can go for three to four weeks but we have decided to keep him on the two week schedule with the other.

[Squirrpel]

Hi: I just rejoined this board after an absence. My vet place uses a dremel on my foxer. Their assistant does the work. They recently trimmed too short and crooked. As a result my boy is in pain and has a large white blister on the inside of his mouth. We went back for correction. They did a better job but its still not perfect and now uppers and lowers are way too short. He cries if I touch the hurt area and he constantly licks it and is stressed. I feel so bad for him! I have him on medicam to ease the pain. My question: Does anyone have recommendations for vets who specialize in squirrel dentistry in the Los Angeles or San Fernando valley area? I'm keeping this animal hospital anonymous as I use them for other things and they are otherwise great and really tried to help me so I feel bad, but I can't put my boy through this again. I read the board but people go back and forth between dremel use and other methods. I really could use any advice! Not sure yet h ow to best navigate this site for a reply so I can also be reached at: mykingdomforahorse@gmail.com Thank you.