Every
Horse Needs Dental Care…Including
Yours
Like
humans horses also require dental care to maintain overall health. Retaining the services of an experienced veterinarian will help
in your efforts to ensure a healthy animal. Those of who have
chosen me to take care of your horse's dental care know that there
is
much
more involved in the whole process of "floating teeth" than
just running a rasp over the dental arcades.
Experienced
practitioners use a speculum in place to examine your horse’s
mouth. Although some horses may require sedation if they are nervous,
or if their mouth is very sore, it
is extremely important to examine every tooth in the mouth. Simply
pulling the tongue aside,
is not going to allow for a complete exam.
Clients
realize that the whole horse is evaluated and treated on an individual
basis in this practice. Records are maintained
to
monitor: cardiovascular health; vaccination status; the need
for and response
to medications including sedatives, anti-inflammatory and
for some, antibiotics; fluctuations in weight and provide nutritional
counseling.
Regular clients have realized that the scope of equine
dentistry does go far beyond the realm of the "lay dentist"(unlicensed,
non-veterinarian) and requires medical expertise to address
the many health issues that relate to good dental care.
Frequently,
I am asked, "At what age do horses benefit from
good dental care?" The answer is all ages, for
at each stage in his life, the horse has different needs
and requirements for
good oral health. Weanlings and yearlings should be examined for
proper
dentition and bite alignment for proper growth and development.
Two and three year olds benefit from wolf tooth removal,
removal of retained deciduous teeth (caps) when appropriate
and performance
floating. These procedures will minimize resistance and
maximize positive training experiences.
Four and five year olds also benefit from performance
floating and cap removal if and when necessary as their
training
progresses.
Did
you know that by the time your horse turns five, he has lost 12 deciduous
("baby") incisors and has 12 permanents
come in; he has lost 12 deciduous premolars and these
have been replaced
by permanent teeth and he has had 12 permanent molars
erupt! Some will also have or be in the process of getting four canine
teeth.
Adult
horses benefit from routine maintenance, care and evaluation for
best performance and to prevent
future
problems. The
geriatric horse is of special concern. Annual
or semi-annual care may
be advised, depending on the individual. Instrumentation
should be
chosen carefully
to avoid injury. These animals are excellent candidates
for the motorized floats as they can be less problematic
for
old, short-rooted
teeth.
Tooth crown should be preserved as much as possible. "Over
floating" the
teeth can occur at any age and it has its own dire
consequences the worst being the inability to eat
due to loss of grinding surface.
There can be "too much of a good thing!" Good
judgment is extremely valuable in guarding your horse's
health.
Avoid
the consequences of poor oral hygiene including resistance, weight
loss, choke and colic - schedule
your horse's regular
dental care every year. You'll be glad you did.
I know your horse will be
glad too!
If
you can't decide whether your horse needs dental care,
call Dr. Jeanne
Best at
(716) 629-8384 for more information.
