Post by eleda on Apr 15, 2015 11:32:51 GMT -8
I have what appears to be a problem with no good solutions. I hoped you all could help me decide which one might be the least of all evils. Can you help me?
Problem: Data has bad teeth. Somehow his top teeth have cut a groove into his bottom tooth, which you can see when viewing the tooth from the side. This probably means his top teeth (or tooth?) has become sharp. He is able to eat just fine, but I worry this might cause more serious problems if left alone. Also, he has been unable to chew recreationally and I suspect this is why.
Solution 1: I found a small animal vet I believe would give Data very good care. However, the office is a four hour drive away. The trip would cost me an entire day, over $35 in gas, plus the vet office cost (usually at least 50 dollars for a first-time visit) and cost of the clipping service. This seems like an awful lot of time and money for a gerbil that is over 2 years old and currently eating fine. But then I'm not sure where the line between 'practical' and 'selfish' is in this case... On the upside, his teeth would (hopefully) be better and I might be able to have the vet show me how to properly do this myself at home.
Solution 2: I take Data to a vet I have been to before, that has done the procedure before, will charge me a small fee for a return visit, and is nearby. HOWEVER, this is the vet that broke Jean Luc's leg while clipping his toenails, and who makes me uncomfortable with the way he handles my pets.....I'd rather not go back to him if I can help it.
Solution 3: I clip his teeth myself. I have done it before, but I have no real training to do it and I've been told you should never do this unless you have been trained by a vet. I don't want to add to the problem, but this would obviously be cheapest and most convenient for me. As far as I know, my tooth-clipping jobs have not caused further problems in the past, but I can't really know for sure, can i?
Solution 4: I do nothing and try to give Data a fun comfortable home until he eventually passes, and hope that his bottom tooth won't get split down the middle or something.
Problem: Data has bad teeth. Somehow his top teeth have cut a groove into his bottom tooth, which you can see when viewing the tooth from the side. This probably means his top teeth (or tooth?) has become sharp. He is able to eat just fine, but I worry this might cause more serious problems if left alone. Also, he has been unable to chew recreationally and I suspect this is why.
Solution 1: I found a small animal vet I believe would give Data very good care. However, the office is a four hour drive away. The trip would cost me an entire day, over $35 in gas, plus the vet office cost (usually at least 50 dollars for a first-time visit) and cost of the clipping service. This seems like an awful lot of time and money for a gerbil that is over 2 years old and currently eating fine. But then I'm not sure where the line between 'practical' and 'selfish' is in this case... On the upside, his teeth would (hopefully) be better and I might be able to have the vet show me how to properly do this myself at home.
Solution 2: I take Data to a vet I have been to before, that has done the procedure before, will charge me a small fee for a return visit, and is nearby. HOWEVER, this is the vet that broke Jean Luc's leg while clipping his toenails, and who makes me uncomfortable with the way he handles my pets.....I'd rather not go back to him if I can help it.
Solution 3: I clip his teeth myself. I have done it before, but I have no real training to do it and I've been told you should never do this unless you have been trained by a vet. I don't want to add to the problem, but this would obviously be cheapest and most convenient for me. As far as I know, my tooth-clipping jobs have not caused further problems in the past, but I can't really know for sure, can i?
Solution 4: I do nothing and try to give Data a fun comfortable home until he eventually passes, and hope that his bottom tooth won't get split down the middle or something.
