Changes

Clinical signs relate to the pain experienced and the inability of the rabbits to eat normally:  

Clinical signs relate to the pain experienced and the inability of the rabbits to eat normally:  

'''Lack of grooming''' leads to a poor coat, build-up of skin debris and [[Mites - Rabbit#Cheyletiella parasitovorax|''Cheyletiella'' mite infestations]].

'''Lack of grooming''' leads to a poor coat, build-up of skin debris and [[Mites – Rabbit#Cheyletiella parasitovorax|''Cheyletiella'' mite infestations]].

'''Digestive disorders''' are often seen: ileus, reduced number of droppings, intestinal obstruction from the ingestion of fur mats.

'''Digestive disorders''' are often seen: ileus, reduced number of droppings, intestinal obstruction from the ingestion of fur mats.

'''Abscesses''' seen as hard lumps along the ventral border of the mandible, or retrobulbar abscesses.

'''Abscesses''' seen as hard lumps along the ventral border of the mandible, or retrobulbar abscesses.

'''[[Incisor Overgrowth - Rabbit|Incisor malocclusion and overgrowth]]''' due to the lack of correct chewing motion due to cheek teeth malocclusion.

'''[[Incisor Overgrowth – Rabbit|Incisor malocclusion and overgrowth]]''' due to the lack of correct chewing motion due to cheek teeth malocclusion.

'''Pain and anorexia''' due to the spurs on the cheek teeth. There is often profuse salivation and staining of the fur under the chin and on the forelegs.

'''Pain and anorexia''' due to the spurs on the cheek teeth. There is often profuse salivation and staining of the fur under the chin and on the forelegs.

This is often requested by owners to prevent regrowth of spurs that require regular trimming. However the extraction of cheek teeth is inadvisable and often unnecessary, unless periapical abscesses due to the dental disease are present.

This is often requested by owners to prevent regrowth of spurs that require regular trimming. However the extraction of cheek teeth is inadvisable and often unnecessary, unless periapical abscesses due to the dental disease are present.

Extraction of cheek teeth follows the same principles as [[Incisor Overgrowth - Rabbit#Extraction of incisors|incisor extraction]] – special sharp elevators or bent hypodermic needles are used to cut the periodontal ligaments around these box-shaped structures.

Extraction of cheek teeth follows the same principles as [[Incisor Overgrowth – Rabbit#Extraction of incisors|incisor extraction]] – special sharp elevators or bent hypodermic needles are used to cut the periodontal ligaments around these box-shaped structures.

It is not necessary to remove the opposing cheek tooth as an upper tooth occludes with two lower teeth and vice versa. Also, adjacent teeth tend to tip towards any gap that is left.

It is not necessary to remove the opposing cheek tooth as an upper tooth occludes with two lower teeth and vice versa. Also, adjacent teeth tend to tip towards any gap that is left.

'''Intra-oral approach''': <br>

'''Intra-oral approach''': <br>

This technique is used when there is no gross apical ankylosis. The procedure is essentially the same as that for [[Incisor Overgrowth - Rabbit#Extraction of incisors|incisor extraction]] except that forceps are used for the final extraction after the tooth has been fully mobilised in its “socket”.

This technique is used when there is no gross apical ankylosis. The procedure is essentially the same as that for [[Incisor Overgrowth – Rabbit#Extraction of incisors|incisor extraction]] except that forceps are used for the final extraction after the tooth has been fully mobilised in its “socket”.

Luxators are used to loosen the periodontal membrane especially on the mesial (palatal/lingual) and lateral (buccal) aspects of the tooth. Careful elevation with horizontal sectioning and removal of successive portions is generally effective when the root is too long to remove in one piece.  

Luxators are used to loosen the periodontal membrane especially on the mesial (palatal/lingual) and lateral (buccal) aspects of the tooth. Careful elevation with horizontal sectioning and removal of successive portions is generally effective when the root is too long to remove in one piece.