A: Cavies have a total of 20 teeth - 4 incisors, 4 premolars, and 12 molars.
Although the average cavy has twenty teeth, only the upper and lower incisors will be visible without the aid of a medical device. Lighted otoscopes and buccal pad separators are used by cavy savvy veterinarians to examine back teeth, which are obscured by the pig's cheeks (or in some cases, a mouthful of food!). Truffle and Revy are particularly stubborn about cramming their jaws full of lettuce and gnawing defiantly on the otoscope during routine checkups.
As Guinea Lynx states, "A guinea pig's teeth are 'open rooted' and grow continuously". Healthy guineas need an unlimited supply of of quality grass hay to wear teeth down and prevent overgrowth. Waiter, keep the hay refills coming!
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Heya Revy, what cute lips and lovely little peeg teefs you have! Way to teach those otoscopes who's boss :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, I do my best to keep the vets and vet techs on their toes. -Revy
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