Equestrian Life April 2017 Edition

horse health
DENTISTRY
WHAT TO EXPECT
when your horse has a dental
Heather Urquhart BVMS CertAVP (ED) BAEDT MRCVS
Many people seem to
be unaware of what
to expect from a
equine dental appointment
- especially those new to
horse ownership, or those
that have always had a
friend or yard owner hold
their horse in the past. This
article describes what you
should expect to happen,
regardless of who you
employ to examine your
horses mouth.
HISTORY
Upon arrival at the yard, the
equine dental technician or
vet should ask the history
of the horse to be treated
- this should include the
approximate age of the
horse, how long ago the
mouth was last examined
and by whom, whether any
problems were noted at
the time, and whether the
owner thinks there may be
problems developing (for
example, dropping food
when eating, or evading the
contact when ridden). It is
often useful to also know
whether the horse is ridden,
and if so in what capacity, or
whether he is retired.
EXTERNAL
EXAMINATION
When the history has been
established, an external
examination should
take place. This should
involve palpation of the
musculature of the head
and temporomandibular
joints to check for any
asymmetrical development
or wastage which may
indicate the horse is
struggling to chew
effectively, or is chewing on
one side of his mouth only.
The cheeks are palpated
to check for any signs of
discomfort - indeed, in
some cases sharp points,
missing teeth or teeth that
are displaced towards the
cheeks can be detected.
The underside of the
mandible (jaw bone) is
palpated to check for
any lumps, bumps or
discharging abscesses,
and the sub mandibular
lymph nodes, which lie
between the two halves of
the mandible, are checked
for any enlargement or
discomfort, which may
indicate infection.
The mandible should be
moved from a central
position to the left and
the right - it should move
evenly in both directions.
Any asymmetry may
indicate abnormal wear of
the cheek teeth.
The nostrils should also
Palpating mandible
be checked for any signs of
discharge or smell, which
can indicate dental disease
or other infection. If there
is any doubt as to whether
infection may be present
(for example enlarged
lymph nodes and discharge
from both nostrils), then it
may be advised to postpone
further examination until
the cause of infection has
been established, to prevent
spread of infection.
ORAL EXAMINATION
The lips should be parted
to examine the incisors
and canine teeth, and any
abnormalities noted. The
bars of the mouth (between
the incisors/canines and
cheek teeth) should be
palpated to check for
lumps, bumps, wolf teeth or
injuries, and the corners of
the lips checked to ensure
no bit damage is present.
Moving the
mandible from
side to side
The mouth should then
be flushed out to remove
any food material, and
inspected with a bright head
light, checking for signs of
trauma to the tongue or
cheeks as well as any gross
abnormalities of the cheek
teeth, such as missing or
dominant teeth.
A dental mirror should then
be used to carefully check
each tooth for more subtle
abnormalities such as pulp
exposure, caries, diastemata
(gaps between teeth),
fractures, or abnormal wear.
Any suspicious areas may
also be probed, and food
material may be picked out
of caries and diastemata.
Sedation, if available,
may be recommended in
order to allow a thorough
examination, especially if
the horse is uncomfortable
due to dental disease.
Palpating temporomandibular joint
Palpating masseter muscles
A speculum (gag) is then
placed over the head, and a
metal plate placed between
the incisor teeth. This can
then be opened to allow
inspection of the oral cavity
itself.
Palpation of the teeth may
simply confirm the presence
of sharp points which have
been noted previously,
but may also detect teeth
that are loose or slightly
mobile, which often aren’t
20 April 2017 Equestrian Life