Malocclusion

Joined : 05 Apr 2008 Posts : 19

Malocclusion is unfortunately a very common disease and one many owners misunderstand. It is extremely painful for the chinchilla and close observation of your chinchillas can help to catch symptoms early.

There are several causes thought to be behind the disease. Among them are genetics, poor diet/nutrition, lack of calcium and vitamin C, injury, lack of items to chew on (toys, wood, etc.) for the front teeth, and lack of sufficient fiber (hay) to help keep the back teeth ground down. Because the disease can be genetically carried, it is recommended that no chinchilla with known malocclusion ever be bred.

Symptoms of malocclusion can include:
Decreased food intake
Eyes that look wet (often mistaken for an eye infection)
Drool, creating a wet chin/chest area
Weight loss
Audible, frequent tooth grinding
Pawing at the mouth, as if in pain

When the molar crowns overgrow, they can grow outward and/or curve inward. Upper molar crowns tend to curve outwards and the lower molars tend to grow inwards. Outward growth can cause tooth spurs, which will cut into and injure the cheek tissue, creating pain and likely infection. Inward growth can create sharp points that cut or even trap the tongue. Both of these make eating nearly impossible and terribly painful.

Not only can the teeth themselves overgrow, but the roots of the teeth as well. The roots can literally grow upwards into the eye sockets, or through the jaw bone. Often at this point, they can be felt along the lower jaw as bumps using your fingertips.

Malocclusion is usually a painful, often fatal condition. Early diagnosis can buy some time to trim the teeth themselves, but cannot correct root overgrowth. At the first sign of malocclusion, your chinchilla should be seen by an experienced exotic veterinarian. Unfortunately most cases are quite advanced by the time symptoms present themselves, making treatment often difficult.

Included below are some photos showing a Chinchilla with Malocclusion.

These photos belong to myself and must not be copied without my prior consent.

See how the tooth is overgrown and digging into the roof of the mouth