Not to keep bringing it up, but I have some further questions about this Lumpy Jaw issue.
I am not trying to bust anyone's bubbles, lol, but after I read this
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I figured that since so many of GC mods and members tell people pelleted food is bad because if causes Lumpy Jaw, that you might know where you heard it from or why you believe
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> I was trying to figure out what the reason was as to why I supported this explanation. I'm not the sort to just say, "Hey, you said so, I believe it!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Check it out below.
Gliders are commonly believed to get lumpy jaw from hard pelleted foods. Why? I was trying to work it out, and then the answer became obvious. Saliva is our bacterial defense system when it comes to putting foods into our mouths, right? It destroys most of the bacteria from the food, and washes down what's left to the stomach so that the strong stomach acid can take care of it there.
It's the same with gliders, and all other animals. Saliva is a very powerful thing when it comes to getting rid of bacteria. Eating crickets and other insects are not an issue, because they do not have bodies which absorb the saliva. They are not porous. Cat food, however, is. It enters the mouth and the saliva is automatically drawn to it.. but just soaks in. The gliders suck their food, as we know.. and that would most likely create a vacuum in their mouths and push the sharper pieces of the hard foods into their soft mouth parts.. perhaps creating scratches. Also it would make sense that it would leave the glider's mouth dry and the saliva glands are suddenly open to bacterial infection.. as are the little wounds. I have no scientific proof here, merely observation and knowledge from a past science course. It happens in us humans as well.. if all our saliva went, we would all be down with some serious throat infections.
Although dry food might not ALWAYS be the cause of lumpy jaw, it would make sense that using dry foods would increase the chances of a glider catching an infection due to lack of saliva.
Perhaps gliders who take big bites of the hard food are more likely to get lumpy jaw than those who eat delicately, with small bits at a time... which is why some gliders get it, and some don't. It's could all be based on a glider's eating behaviour.. Small bits at a time wouldn't be a problem, because the amount of saliva in the mouth should be able to handle the little bits and moisten them. This would also make sense why it is recommended to soak hard foods in water or fruit juice before feeding them.. it's less work for the glider, and less likely to cause problems.
I do not believe that there have been any tests done on this before.. merely sad incidences where the glider has unfortunately caught an infection.. either airbourne or already in the food it is eating. Once the bacteria is in there and has started multiplying and getting into the places in a glider's mouth where the saliva can't get to, it's very difficult to get it out and the body struggling to battle it can result in pus and ick... which means once it bursts, you have uncontrolled infection. (Again, these are merely thoughts, not proof. It seems we're all spilling our thoughts, though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )
Lisa's explanation:
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"Lumpy jaw is caused by bacteria normally found in the mouths of healthy animals. The bacteria can enter through wounds in the mouth, which can be caused by hard or coarse feed. Lumpy jaw may interfere with the animal's ability to eat; other than the swelling on the jaw, animals may appear healthy. This condition can ultimately lead to spreading of harmful bacteria and even death."
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Whether they be wounds or an open saliva gland, the result would be the same. It seems lumpy jaw is commonly mistaken for a tooth abcess.. which would make sense, because the symptoms are similar. If Jessie's statement is true about the
vet first looking at the teeth before looking for lumpy jaw.. it would seem that perhaps a tooth abcess is more common than lumpy jaw. Jessie, where did you get the info?
Also..
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"And Gliders have something like 40 some odd teeth. Why do they have so many teeth if they werent adapted to eat anything hard?"
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Bonzai, what you said makes perfect sense, but what about when they rip apart those pinkies? It sure looks like they have flesh tearing abilities to me! *shivers*
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Lol. I think you answered your own question there. Gliders are also meat eaters.. but they don't eat the bones of their victims. They need those 40 odd tearing teeth to strip all the meat from the bones. Pinkies are a good alternative for us because their bones are still soft and moist, and we don't have the gross experience of the joys of picking up the bones you're likely to find scattered about if you get an adult mouse to feed. (which is dangerous and could result in injury anyway.)
Sorry for the long post. But the reasons above are why I personally believe hard foods cause Lumpy Jaw. Until it is scientifically researched and proved otherwise.. I'll be sticking to my beliefs and own knowledge/research.
Unfortunately, as wonderful as GC is.. it is not a vetinary clinic or a research station. To really pinpoint the problem would need the help of the GRF over a period of several years.
Please, if anyone has ANY information that would clash with mine, PLEASE post it. I am also very interested in the causes of Lumpy Jaw, and the more theories the better.
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