Common Pet Rabbit Mouth Ailments

Rabbits are members of the mammal family and are found all over the world, either naturally or as a result of being introduced. They are known for their two long ears and two large front teeth. Whether kept indoors or outdoors, pet rabbits can be a joy to keep. There are several common ailments that can affect the mouths of pet rabbits.

  1. Abscesses

    • Rabbits can develop mouth abscesses, which are puss-filled bumps. All abscesses are caused by an infection as a result of bacteria or parasites, and can develop from an injury as tiny as a scratch or cut. Abscesses usually have to be drained and treated by a vet, or they can get worse. Mouth abscesses are especially dangerous to the rabbit because discomfort and pain around the mouth area could prevent them from eating.

    Malocclusion

    • Pet rabbits need to have toys or treats that they can use to wear down their teeth because their teeth are always growing. Malocclusion is when the teeth are not lined up properly in the rabbit's mouth, but keep growing anyway. This can result in the rabbit not being able to wear down the teeth properly and can lead to jaw, lip, gum and nostril injuries.

    Spurs

    • Spurs are a mouth problem that can affect pet rabbits who do not get enough fiber. It is similar to malocclusion, but instead of not wearing down their teeth at all, the rabbit wears them down unevenly and its teeth become sharply pointed, resulting in teeth called spurs. These teeth can cut the tongue and inside of the mouth and result in infections or abscesses. A rabbit with improperly worn teeth, spurs or malocclusion can have their teeth trimmed evenly at the vet, and instead of a pellet-only diet, they can be offered branches, chew blocks or hay.

    Slobbers

    • Slobbers is a common name for a symptom that can be caused by a number of things. Slobbers is a condition where the pet rabbit can't stop drooling or its mouth area is always slobbery. Slobbers could be a result of messy habits when the rabbit drinks, but can also be caused by malocclusion.