Severe Underbite? Problem?

[krisykris]

My lhasa/bichon 9 m/o puppy has a pretty severe under bite. I knew she had this when I got her, but it wasn't very bad then.

She has two lower teeth (the long ones, sorry if I sound dumb) that protrude out of her mouth and her top set of teeth are farther back.

I'd say the gap is about an inch from where her top set of teeth are in and her lower set are protruding out.

She seems to eat and drink just fine, she eats quite a lot actually .

I'm just wondering if this will be a problem for her, and if I should start considering surgery? It just seems so painful and it scares me that she could need that.

Her vet has never said anything to me about it being an issue at any of her checkups.

I was really just wondering. I've been googling w/o much luck and this is keeping me up tonight.

It's just such a difference between the top and bottom sets of teeth, I hope she'll be ok.

 

[mjb]

I have a mixed breed who has the same thing. His bottom canines(?) and the front ones are out of his mouth at all times. He's having no problems. In fact, he eats so much that he's on a diet at the present time. It does look like it could be a problem, but it's not.

We're used to it, but it's so prominent that it's the first thing everybody notices when they first meet Spanky.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I really don't know anything about this--BUT, my question would be, if she is only 9 months old, will she grow out/into this any more? I mean, will the underbite get worse, or maybe better as she grows a little more?

 

[FoxyWench]

if its not effecting her eating or drinking and the vets not worried about it i woudlnt worry too much, at 9 months shes still growing and it can at least semi change between now and when shes fully done growing...rosie had a tiny underbite at first which has since corrected itself, when shes done growing (abotu 1 1/2) you and your vet can discuss more, but right now if its not effecting her eating and drinking then i wouldnt worry.

 

[bubbatd]

It sure won't get better ! My SIL's dog has the same thing .....he's now 16 .

 

[krisykris]

Thanks for the advice guys. She hasn't had any issues eating, and I did read somewhere that at about 10 months the jaw stops growing so she's almost there.

I think she looks beautiful no matter HOW big of an underbite she has, I just don't want it to be painful for her.

Maybe I will call the vet today and get an opinion from them to ease my nerves as well.

 

[bubbatd]

My dentist told me that the reason my front teeth are getting more crooked is because as we age , the teeth move forward . Wonder if it's the same for dog !!