Author Topic: white teeth - bad but how? (Read 613 times)

erbusbee · « **on:** June 19, 2012, 10:00:02 PM »

I recall reading on here somewhere that white teeth are a sign of a health problem. I just noticed Zen's teeth are white, whereas they previously were orange like the other rats'. I can't find the info, but can someone please help me? He turned 2 in February, and he's on several meds to maintain his chronic respiratory inflammation (doxy, prednisone, aminophylline). His xrays look pretty good, and he's active and happy, but he has been dropping weight since his breathing problems started. He is getting Ensure three times a day, a few spoons each time, to try keeping weight on.

HALP?

ceopet · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:23:47 AM »

I think it's a sign he isn't getting enough iron. I am not sure what you'd do to solve that though. I think someone said it could also be a circulation thing, which would make sense given his breathing issues.

Maybe feeding Iron rich foods would help. Like little bits of red meat and dark greens?

erbusbee · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:30:54 AM »

Hmm, we have well water and an iron filter, so that could certainly be a factor. Thank you!

Violet976 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2012, 10:04:10 PM »

What diet is he getting?

Violet976 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2012, 10:14:51 PM »

I myself am not familiar with this problem, but looking at past threads these things were mentioned. If anything is incorrect, hopefully someone will chime in:

- too much fluoride in the water

- lack of iron in the diet

- possibly poor blood circulation, but that one wasn't mentioned as often.

erbusbee · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2012, 01:45:57 AM »

Our boys get Harlan 2014 plus daily veggies (usually garbanzos and some leafy greens).

Zen also is supplemented with a few spoons of Ensure three times a day because he's so thin.

It's puzzling, because other than adding Ensure when he hit the two-year mark his diet hasn't changed. We have well water (no fluoride at all) and in theory he is getting plenty of nutrients.

Violet976 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2012, 02:19:37 AM »

Are you watching him to make sure that he is actually eating the blocks, and actually eating the veggies as well? I know my rats are very picky eaters, and many times in order to get them to eat all of their veggies, I have to cook them up with a bit of sweet potato & mash it all together. Perhaps he isn't eating as much HT as you think either? I dunno, very strange.

BigBen · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2012, 12:27:39 AM »

The sources are not exactly rife with information, but a quick Internet search revealed two different sources that suggest that either (a) the teeth are being affected by acid, or (b) your rat has a calcium deficiency. I'm not sure I trust either suggestion, but they might prove useful as a place to start, at any rate. Good luck and keep us posted.

erbusbee · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2012, 12:59:01 AM »

I left a message for our vet today, asking if he wants to see Zen or has any suggestions. Calcium, iron, circulation, acid...hmm..wonder if there is an underlying condition that would lead to failed absorption of calcium or iron? He's getting so much Ensure he practically sloshes when he climbs onto my shoulder...lol

erbusbee · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2012, 12:09:47 AM »

Just to follow up on this:
I brought Zen to the vet today, because his breathing has been worse and he's been lethargic. We adjusted his meds, and he's already perked up a bit. Cross your fingers!

We talked about Zen's teeth too. The vet said he'd consulted academic journals and asked a few colleagues after getting my message last week. He said there was no documentation about what would cause a rat's teeth to change color, and none of the other vets had an answer either. I appreciate that he was honest with me and he did his research first, but it does leave us with a mystery!

ceopet · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2012, 02:04:50 PM »

Wow. Sorry you didn't get a clear answer. Did the vet say if he thinks it's something you guys should be worried about or not?

erbusbee · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2012, 12:23:12 PM »

He didn't seem terribly worried, mainly because Zen's 29 months and his pulmonary inflammation is a more pressing concern. Also, he's being supplemented 3x daily with baby food and Ensure, so it's unlikely that he has a dietary deficiency.

joesandy1822 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2012, 10:29:23 PM »

Have you thought about contacting Debbie Ducommun? I've talked with her many, many times, and she usually has the answer to almost any rat-related question I can come up with. Even things my vet didn't know--she knew. She is very good about getting back to you if she doesn't answer the phone right away. If you have the Rat Care Guide, her contact information is in there. Just a suggestion...

Hope you get it figured out!

Sandy

erbusbee · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2012, 01:44:57 AM »

I'll look her up - thanks so much for the suggestion!

Rzrwyre · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2012, 06:46:44 AM »

Good luck to your little feller!

I know for SOME of my rats I fed the higher protien blocks. Just a thought.

- Raaz.

erbusbee · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2012, 02:10:41 PM »

Quote from: Rzrwyre on July 01, 2012, 06:46:44 AM

Good luck to your little feller!

I know for SOME of my rats I fed the higher protien blocks. Just a thought.

- Raaz.

We do have some of those, but the problem is keeping them from his 4 cagemates who are all fattypants.

Meatball · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2012, 02:27:07 PM »

I am thinking that Doxy is the drug that causes teeth color discolorations in puppies? I could be thinking of another drug, but this popped into my head. Maybe that could be a contributor? Just trying to help....

erbusbee · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2012, 04:31:18 PM »

Thanks for the suggestion to get in touch with Debbie Ducommun. I emailed and a got a quick, friendly reply. She said she has seen this a few times with her rats, in each case it followed a chronic illness (such as cancer, or in Zen's case chronic respiratory inflammation) but didn't seem linked to any specific nutrient deficiency or medication.

joesandy1822 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2012, 05:26:54 PM »

Quote from: erbusbee on July 05, 2012, 04:31:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion to get in touch with Debbie Ducommun. I emailed and a got a quick, friendly reply. She said she has seen this a few times with her rats, in each case it followed a chronic illness (such as cancer, or in Zen's case chronic respiratory inflammation) but didn't seem linked to any specific nutrient deficiency or medication.

I'm so happy you contacted her. She has been such a blessing to me so many times, I can't count. Wishing you the best for Zen!

Sandy

RKEM · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2012, 10:41:24 PM »

I've had rats do the opposite, have white teeth that eventually go orange and some lived their entire lives with white teeth without any particular issue and it wasn't nutrition. If you're fairly certain that he's getting all that he needs food-wise and the teeth are solid and not crooked or causing problems, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The little guy who had white teeth all his life also had weird hormonal issues it seems. He smelled like a female, had soft fur like a female (we're talking zero buck grease), never grew up to be the size of his brothers yet definitely had male genitals. It was always a bit of a mystery but he lived out to a ripe old age anyhow.

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Author Topic: white teeth - bad but how? (Read 613 times)