GliderCENTRAL

Periodontal Disease

Posted By: krysKritters

Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 07:47 PM

I need info FAST!
This morning I recieved a female glider with a swollen lower jaw and her 2 bottom teeth sticking out in a "V" shape.
I immediatley rushed her to my vet, who diagnosed her with periodontal disease. My options are sedation or surgery to remove the 2 bottom teeth (maybe more) and fix the receeded jaw.
The vet says it is genetic and caused by a bad diet.
He is confident that she can still have a productive life w/o the 2 bottom teeth but she will need to remain alone as she won't be able to defend herself with no teeth.

I am looking for anyone with experience to help me.
Thank you.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:05 PM

I have had this same experience (with the teeth) but it was not from disease, it was from poor diet. I rescued two kids from a VERY unfit home and the females two bottom teeth were loose when I got her, after a vet check, I was told it's nothing other than the fact that she had had a TERRIBLE diet throughout her most important years(first 2) of her life that caused breakdown in jaw line and teeth roots. As the bad diet continued through her life to when I got her when she was approx 4, the damage had allready been done. Both of her bottom teeth fell out, so she now only has her uppers. She can still eat though, she still loves her mealies, and her BLM! But her fav is when I mix some juice with baby cereal. She gets a little of this alternated through the whole week. She eats it and loves it, and gets a bit upset when her (neutered) cage mate tries to dine with her on her plate! HAHAHA!

It is terrible that this has happened to her but I can assure you that there is life, and a good one at that, after the loss of her teeth. There are some things that she can't do, obviously, but she copes quite well. Please let me know if this helps, or if there is anything else that can help you with.

Good luck to you and your little one!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:07 PM

Oh and she and her cage mate get along JUST FINE, they don't fight, they have their crab sessions with one another but nothing more than that. In fact even without teeth her mate still caters to her and listens quite well when she tells him to back off!
Posted By: Jackie_Chans_Mom

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:15 PM

I replied on LGG. I have dealt with repeated periodontal issues with Cheddar. Jen (xfilefan) and Chris (glidrz5) also have much experience.

You can contact me any time.

Remember, gliders have 40 teeth - the loss of 2 is not going to make much of a functional difference. I'm assuming that you mean the front two bottom teeth, correct? These particular teeth are used more in the wild than they are in captivity (although those of us with biters would argue with this. LOL). Anyway, she will still be able to eat a regular diet and will be able to live a productive, happy life with very few modifications.

She does not have to live alone - please don't think that she will.

Give me a shout any time.

Hugs to you and your new baby
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:20 PM

Well put Val
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:31 PM

My vet is very expierienced with gliders and as far as I know he is ok with doing the surgery.
I was more concerned with her quality of life after the surgery... oh yeah and coming up with $200-$300 by Thursday!

He surgery is schedualed for this Thursday.

She is nowhere near tame. So I will definatley need to spend time with her and calm her down. Poor thing, she is terrified. I recieved her in a shoe box.

Well on the bright side, she won't be able to bite me too bad without those bottom teeth. roflmao
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 08:31 PM

Thank you everyone!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 09:45 PM

You are welcome and best wishes to you both, it sounds like you'll both need it! HEHEHE but all joking aside, my heart is with you both!
Posted By: glidrz5

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/10/09 11:52 PM

Before your vet removes the bottom teeth the swollen lower jaw should be addressed. The swelling indicates that there could be an abscess or infection in the jaw. Once that is corrected the teeth my tighten back up. Your glider will still need to be sedated tho in order to clean the lower incisors from anything that may be caught between them. Then a daily regiment of flushing the teeth to keep them clean (take a syringe & squirt water or a rinse right at the base of the gum line to loosen any food caught). Jen (xfilefan) also had alot of luck with the insertion of gel packs at the base of the front incisors. They are antibiotic packs that would deliver medicine directly to the infected area. They helped her glider's front incisors tighten up when they were very loose. I'm not saying that the incisors should not be removed, but IMO, other treatments could be attempted first.
Posted By: Cora

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/11/09 12:32 AM

my gliders infection was not as bad as yours but the teeth were loose and the vet was talking about removing them until i spoke with chris and jen


i realize its early in Sugars treatment but she is doing great and the teeth are tighter she would not even eat!!


http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/...sues#Post746359
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/11/09 12:58 AM

When I first saw her she was terrified and it looked swollen (her jaw) then I saw teeth in the V shape sticking out and immediately called the vet and got her in. He knows me well and got me in very quickly.

It was not until we were at the vet that I actually got a good look at her. The jaw appeared swollen to me at first but once the vet showed me it was just the abnormal shape from the gum line receeding.
He saw no sign of infection but felt the teeth needed to be removed becuase the second he touched them (with a swab) they immediatley began bleeding. Actually she bit the swab and the teeth began to bleed at the gum line.

Thankfully She is licking the BML and drinking ok.

I will be sure to bring up the concern of infection again and also ask about that. Thanks!
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/11/09 10:58 AM

Chris wrote an article about her experience with this issue. It is on my web site: Periodontal Disease and may be helpful to you hug2
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/11/09 07:04 PM

Thank you. I knew I saw info about it somewhere but I couldn't remember where it was.
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/14/09 03:28 AM

I just wanted to update everyone....
"Nibbles" as I affectionately named her, roflmao had her surgery and has been doing very well.
Once the vet got her sedated he could see more into her mouth to exam her teeth.
She ended up needing a total of 4 teeth removed. The 2 lower front teeth and 2 molars. (Wow! What a size difference! shock )
He showed me the teeth and the lower front 2 teeth about about an inch long!!! While the molars are smaller than a flea!!! That is amazing!
Anyway, she came home on antibiotics... luckily for me, her 2 lower front teeth were removed so it's a bit easier for me to give them to her. Especially since she is no where near "tame" or "handable"
More good news... I have been watching her closely and so far, she has not starting SMing or any signs of stress.
I have kept handling her to a minimum for now, except for her meds (2X daily) because I don't wanna stress her completely. Honestly, I think she has probley never been handled.
Thank you to everyone that has helped! hug2
Posted By: vagraphix

Re: Periodontal Disease - 03/14/09 12:55 PM

that is great news, hope she continues to do well!!!!!!!
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