|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2008 7:16:20 AM
Posts: 12,
Visits: 43
|
|
Hello,
Need advice from the first-hand experience: if anyone did dental surgery to the toby puffer, can you tell details, please?
When puffer is already anesthesied, the upper teeth look like triangle, protruding below upper lip (the lip is bleeding, because puffer hurt himself during catching, first time like this):
I cut off at this line, being careful not to touch lips. Then it happen to me to lift the upper lip: the same size triangle of teeth is left.
It seemed then, that if I leave these part, the next dental surgery will be due in 3-4 months, not in 6 months, like since the first one.
Cut the triangle off too, leaving may be a couple of mm of teeth, trying to keep parallel to the gum/top jaw. Now the mouth looks strange.
Sorry for photos' quality - too far in the tank, and he is moving fast, when at the front glass.
Did I cut too much, and should I stop then at the lip line?
Thanks for your help.
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
Posts: 4,371,
Visits: 7,067
|
|
| Are the upper teeth separated?? It appears that there is a gap between the teeth?
Kelly
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2008 7:16:20 AM
Posts: 12,
Visits: 43
|
|
Oh, my deepest apology for not answering sooner - email notification is not working.
Yes, it has two separate upper teeth.
These photos were made within half of hour after dentistry, next day he started to close mouth, as when with normal teeth, and to eat without problems.
I'm just wondering, if I did the right thing with cutting teeth under the lip- the catching this time was very stressful for a fish, and doing this every 3 months is better to be avoided.
I tried the proper feeding by shellfish and mussels - he refuses to it them, defrozen chopped food, algae and pellets only.
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
Posts: 4,371,
Visits: 7,067
|
|
| The teeth should be fused or joined not separated. Sometimes with trimming, they can be separated - watch carefully for infections of the gum and abscesses. Tooth growth may be regular or sporadic. I have several puffers that require regular dentistry and others (same species and same diet and same tank) that never have.
Kelly
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2008 7:16:20 AM
Posts: 12,
Visits: 43
|
|
Thank you! Will watch for inflammation, but likely I did that wrong 6 months ago - then there was lip, scratched by teeth. I made a cut, that didn't ended on the first tooth, but on the middle of the second, and smoothing by a nail file was insufficient. Now used the diamond file, better.
Any advice on the length of the trimmed teeth, for the future?
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
Posts: 4,371,
Visits: 7,067
|
|
| I just like to take the pointed tips off...just enough where they can open their mouths and food can enter. I err on the cautious side and always start out with small sections. I usually do dentistry with two people - so one can retract the lip and hold the puffer while the other (usually me) can focus on the teeth. So back to your question - no hard fast number....sorry. Hope this clears things up. Best of luck.
Kelly
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2008 7:16:20 AM
Posts: 12,
Visits: 43
|
|
Only the pointed tip off - precisely what I was looking for.
Thank you! Next time I will be more prepared.
|
|
|
|