Trimming-Clipping squirrel teeth

[stosh2010]

I have a 4 year old squirrel , The Cruiser DUDE, with some terrible teeth. His upper incisors have now started to grow inward and are almost touching the roof of his mouth.
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I have trimmed them over the years but they took a bad turn in the past months. The vets in Costa Rica -where we live-are not experienced--at all- with squirrels and have no proper tools for this trim. One vet has worked on rabbits but her tools are back in Spain.(?) where she worked until last month
The local vet does have Iso/gas available , so I can sedate.( It would be the 1st time for gas for Cruiser.)
My question is...
how much movement is possible in the upper incisors? I need to pry them away from the roof of his mouth to do any trimming--and not hurt him. I was thinking of using a large paper clip to hook the tooth and gently pull it from touching the roof of his mouth to do the snipping. I fear cutting his mouth if I can't get clearance.
I have felt the incisors shift a little during previous trimmings, but in the position they are growing in, running parallel to the roof of his mouth-- I am not sure if I can put pressure
to pull them "down" and away.
. Thanks for any help you might offer.
I hope to help the DUDE within a week. He is starting to wheeze, and that makes me very nervous.
_______________________________
One vet sent me these photos of tools that he used on squirrels. Has any one here--used similar tools on their fuzz-heads?
If so---please post info on company, quality, price, availability...etc. THANKS
279438 << this one looks like the tool I used to trim dog claws...when I was younger(and had a dog)
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[lilidukes]

Stosh ask the vet for a fecal loop.
It's a round plastic stick with a very small
end. I use one of these on a squirrel whose
tops grow backwards. I slide the narrow
end behind the tops so I can clip. The tops
can be trimmed much shorter than the bottoms.

Wire cutters would be better than dog nail
clippers. JMO

[stosh2010]

Stosh ask the vet for a fecal loop.


It's a round plastic stick with a very small
end. I use one of these on a squirrel whose
tops grow backwards. I slide the narrow
end behind the tops so I can clip. The tops
can be trimmed much shorter than the bottoms.

Is this the thing you're referring to ??
279442279443

Do I use the loop to "lasso " the tooth ?





Wire cutters would be better than dog nail
clippers. JMO

In the past I used a good pair of 5 inch Stanley wire cutters

[TubeDriver]

Stosh, the teeth can move a bit but not that much. I would try to move that tooth *just* far enough to be able to get the trimmer around it and no more.

Also, if you can slip a pencil behind his incisors and behind that tooth, it will help prevent the cut off portion from potentially going down the Dude's throat. It takes only about 1 second to slide the pencil in and helps to keep the jaw in place/non-moving.



My guess from looking at that photo is that you should try to cut that tooth at the halfway point.

Good luck! :grouphug

[stosh2010]

Stosh, the teeth can move a bit but not that much. I would try to move that tooth *just* far enough to be able to get the trimmer around it and no more.

Also, if you can slip a pencil behind his incisors and behind that tooth, it will help prevent the cut off portion from potentially going down the Dude's throat. It takes only about 1 second to slide the pencil in and helps to keep the jaw in place/non-moving.



My guess from looking at that photo is that you should try to cut that tooth at the halfway point.

Good luck! :grouphug

Should I cut the shorter tooth also...a little? ( the upper right incisor)
if so...should I then kind of make them even at the tips ???

[stosh2010]

I will be at the vet--who has Iso--so the Dude will be sedated...
Next QUESTION...
When they box/mask him with the gas, and they remove the mask---will he stay totally OUT of IT for several minutes?? or less?
What is the "working time" that the Dude will not fidget around...?

[Milo's Mom]

The top teeth do move smidge, but in comparison to the bottoms they do not move...just in case that's what you were thinking.

Personally, I would NOT use the guillotine trimmers...those blades can move around too much. Wire cutters or jewelry snips are much better.

Iso is good, it will allow you to get in and get a good trimming. If you are doing this yourself (without the vet) remember to go light...you can always give more, but too much could get tricky.

Yes, always to aim for even when clipping. Uneven teeth can throw off the entire bite and cause more problems.

I've always had luck using a tongue depressor to hold the mouth open and the lips and tongue away from where I'm working. It also acts as a deflector for flying tooth pieces.....the mouth is blocked so they can't fly down the throat. If you're worried about splinters from the tongue depressor, wrap it a few times with duct tape...all of mine are.

Lisa's suggestion with the loop is excellent...I'm gonna have to get me a few of them!

[lilidukes]

Is this the thing you're referring to ??
279442279443

Do I use the loop to "lasso " the tooth ?






In the past I used a good pair of 5 inch Stanley wire cutters


Close this is what I use


279450

[lilidukes]

DO NOT LASSO the tooth!

The end of the loop is very flat and flexible.
Slides behind top teeth very easily when you
don't have much room. My vet gave me these
loops to help me with teeth trimming.

[stosh2010]

DO NOT LASSO the tooth!

The end of the loop is very flat and flexible.
Slides behind top teeth very easily when you
don't have much room. My vet gave me these
loops to help me with teeth trimming.
Understood---
Thanks