Redtail Equine offers dental services for horses.
When was the last time your horse had a complete dental exam? Horses benefit from regular dental care starting as a foal, in addition to oral pain and performance problems, recent studies have also linked dental disease to an increased risk of certain heart, GI, and immune diseases. For that reason, Redtail Equine Veterinary Service recommends that all horses have a yearly oral exam and regular dental care.
Dental Disease in Horses
Many people know that horses are prone to developing sharp points in their mouths due to the nature of their continually erupting teeth, but proper dental care consists of much more than “floating” off sharp points every year or two. Horses can develop many other painful dental conditions such as hooks, waves, fractured teeth, and periodontal disease.
As your horse ages, there is an increased risk of cavities and diastema (unnatural gaps between teeth). These problems are often only visible during a complete sedated oral exam and can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses, and sinus infections. A yearly complete oral exam can help prevent some of these problems and catch others early so appropriate treatment can be instituted.
Signs of Dental Disease in Horses
When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in horses, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because equines often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe.
If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental checkup.
- Broken or Loose Teeth
- Dropping feed or “quidding”
- Extremely bad Breath
- One sided nasal discharge
- Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite
- Choke or repeat colic episodes
The Hazards of Untreated Periodontal Disease in Horses
Untreated periodontal disease in horses can lead to dangerous infections, like abscesses and blood infections. Advanced dental disease may also affect your horse’s heart, liver, and kidneys. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep up to date on your horse’s dental care.
What to Expect from your Dental Appointment
Redtail Equine Veterinary Service recommends that all horses receive their first dental checkup shortly after they are weaned and at least once a year for every year of their lives. Horse dental checkups include an examination of your horse’s head, neck, face, ears, and mouth in order to check for signs of health problems.
Once the basic external examination is complete, Dr. Wood will sedate your horse and use a mirror to thoroughly examine every side of your horse’s teeth. A power float or hand floats will then be used to correct any abnormalities in your horse’s dental table including filing down and rounding sharp points and hooks and correcting waves, ramps, and steps as needed. If additional periodontal disease or fractured teeth are noted, further treatment may be recommended.
