Broken Wolf Tooth WWYD?

[WelshD]

My two year old had his wolf teeth removed today but one broke off leaving part of the root still in the gum and not accessible

The vet said it should be ok as its under the gum line and chances are the body will reabsorb the fragment

He said there is a chance that when the pony is broken the problem may appear as the pony being more willing on one rein than the other though he personally doesnt think the fragment will ever cause a problem

I could have the fragment drilled out now but am guessing it would be a full on clinic job and not cheap

I have insurance, my question is do I claim now and get it done (assuming its covered) or do I take the minimal risk of problems in the future and not being able to claim because of the time lapse?

 

[ihatework]

Personally I'd get a known fragment out now

 

[SusieT]

I'd get it out now and use a different vet who didn't just recommend leaving it.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would get it out now .

 

[Polar Bear9]

I'd also get it out. No point leaving a known problem and just waiting to see if it gets worse

 

[PorkChop]

Another who would definitely have it taken out - even if it may never cause any problems, it is more likely that it will and it will always be in the back of your mind if you ever have any bitting/contact issues.

 

[EventingMum]

This can happen when wolf teeth are removed, it might migrate to the surface of the gum in time but if not I would certainly get it removed before bitting him as, like others have said, you don't want to start his ridden career with a potential problem. I don't like to criticise professionals but I don't think your vet is being fair saying there's a chance saying it might make him better on one rein without offering a solution to prevent that. Obviously being better one way will affect his whole body so better to start off without that potential problem. Perhaps a more horse orientated vet or specialist equine vet would be more ammenable to removing the fragment.

 

[twiggy2]

This can happen when wolf teeth are removed, it might migrate to the surface of the gum in time but if not I would certainly get it removed before bitting him as, like others have said, you don't want to start his ridden career with a potential problem. I don't like to criticise professionals but I don't think your vet is being fair saying there's a chance saying it might make him better on one rein without offering a solution to prevent that. Obviously being better one way will affect his whole body so better to start off without that potential problem. Perhaps a more horse orientated vet or specialist equine vet would be more ammenable to removing the fragment.

I read it that the vet was saying if it caused a problem such as horse being better on one rein then they would look at removing it but if it does not cause a problem leave it alone

 

[Double_choc_lab]

We've fragments removed with horse sedated and in box at home.

 

[WelshD]

I read it that the vet was saying if it caused a problem such as horse being better on one rein then they would look at removing it but if it does not cause a problem leave it alone

Sorry yes this is what he meant

he is a specialist equine vet and 'the' wolf teeth expert in the very respected practice, the first vet who looked recommended the second vet and I paid extra for that vet so was (until i posted this) happy to accept leaving it in

the pony was fighting the vet despite being heavily sedated which didn't help, the vet was endlessly patient but the pony was having none of it so he wisely stopped which I did appreciate as I didn't want any of us to get hurt

 

[twiggy2]

Sorry yes this is what he meant

he is a specialist equine vet and 'the' wolf teeth expert in the very respected practice, the first vet who looked recommended the second vet and I paid extra for that vet so was (until i posted this) happy to accept leaving it in

the pony was fighting the vet despite being heavily sedated which didn't help, the vet was endlessly patient but the pony was having none of it so he wisely stopped which I did appreciate as I didn't want any of us to get hurt

mine had 2 lots of sedation and anesthetic to be able to remove a very large wolf tooth, my vet and dentist are a fan of leaving them be unless they cause an issue because they reckon most actually don't

 

[fawaz]

My mare had a fragment of a broken wolf tooth left behind unknown to me. She hung and head tilted for seven years till I changed dentist and it was picked up . I was so upset it had been left and I wasn't told even though I was there when they were removed .

 

[Micropony]

Is your vet worried about the remaining fragment causing infection? A lady I know lost her beautiful horse recently in similar circumstances (it wasn't a wolf tooth though) so I would probably be unduly wary about retained tooth fragments.

 

[EventingMum]

Sorry if I misinterpreted what was said/done. I would still be tempted to do something prior to bitting. If a problem did develop you then have to interupt the horse's education to remove the fragment and the horse may have developed crookedness / head tilting in the mean time.