Swollen Mouth, No Teeth!

[flowerpage]

Ok, so it's been an interesting morning. My little girl (Banded syrian) looked a little funny yesterday. Her mouth on the bottom side looked a little puffy and I saw her catch it on her water bottle! I was concerned she might have scratched her cheek or lip and didnt want it to absess. SO, we took a trip to our vet this morning. He said she seems perfectly healthy and its probably nothing.

BUT, we discovered she has no teeth! I know that sounds weird, but she doesn't have any.....at all. He said there isn't anything I can really do about it and she seems to be doing fine, so not to worry. (Hamsters are born with teeth, so its not that they just haven't grown in) She's 5 months old.

I can't say as I'm overly surprised, because those of you that know me should remember I used to ask about things for her to chew on because she wasn't interested in her blocks, or the paper rolls, etc. NOt much even for carrots. Now I know.......

I've been doing some research and it seems that lack of teeth can be due to genetics, etc. But they can also break due to low calcium. We got a doggie biscuit at the vets and I have broken it up for her, they are big in calcium. So I am going to start giving her cheese and things like that too. Apparently sunflower seeds can also deplete calcium, BUT she doesn't EAT her sunflower seeds and corn and now I know why. Lots of things are making more sense.

Poor thing. The good news is she is perfectly healthy and seems to be thriving despite her disability. I am also going to start giving her soft things like bread and eggs.

Mostly I wanted to update everyone and see if you have ever experienced this. She is the absolute sweetest thing in the world and was so cuddly at the docs this morning. It's so weird how we worry so much and they are just like our kids! I feel so bad for her.....

[Zouave]

Never heard of it!

But I am glad she is in obviously good hands.

[o0sapphirerat0o]

Amazing! Glad your little girl is ok! (you could alsy break up dog biscuts and soak it in soy milk or regular milk *if they can have it, i've given mine soy milk before*)

And this is another reason why I say breeding should only be done by those who understand genetics. Poor girl, glad she found such a responsible owner!