Denist - Help !

Grinch

Grinch

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I have contacted a local dentist as on a Face book thread he was rec'm by lots of people.

His secretary called me yesterday and as soon as I said I had a very nervous horse she said "He would have to be
sedated by the vet". I had him vet checked the other day and the vet put his hand in his mouth no bother!! - He is nervous as
he is a cruelty rescue and we are working with him in 3weeks I have managed to head collar him bring him out and tie him up groom him spray his mane and de-matt it.
Walk round our school on a lead rope stop -start and backing up.
He did have a moment at the weekend he snapped the bale twine and jumped about (not lots) and soon calmed down to be brushed again.

Is sedating him the "Only" way ..................
 
I think sedation is the sensible way - you can get him sorted while he is nice and sleepy. If he's never been done before there may be a bit of work to do and upsetting him will just give you issues for the future. I'd sedate for now and see how he is next time he needs doing.
 
My dentist would honestly not want to sedate unless it was absolutely necessary. He took loads of time with Molly, even when she was throwing herself around the stable. He was quiet as a mouse, didn't lift a finger, just stayed calm and got it done, giving her lots of breaks and cuddles when she stood nicely. I wouldn't want it any other way BUT, safety first.
 
If you have the dentist out and your boy isn't happy, then you'd have to call the vet out to sedate, which will obviously cost a lot more. There is also the risk that the vet won't be able to come out then and there.

I would perhaps get a vet to do his teeth this time, as he can sedate if needed. If he doesn't need sedating, then next time, I'd get the dentist out. Of course, you could pay for both vet and dentist to come out just in case...but that won't be cheap!
 
Our dentist is fab!... Reasures the horses before even putting headcollar on - my mare can be fussy with her head being touched etc but he has a way with them! He also did a horse at the yard yesterday that had never had his teeth done & horse stood as good as gold... I wouldnt sedate unless totally necessary.

Grinch said:
I have contacted a local dentist as on a Face book thread he was rec'm by lots of people.

His secretary called me yesterday and as soon as I said I had a very nervous horse she said "He would have to be
sedated by the vet". I had him vet checked the other day and the vet put his hand in his mouth no bother!! - He is nervous as
he is a cruelty rescue and we are working with him in 3weeks I have managed to head collar him bring him out and tie him up groom him spray his mane and de-matt it.
Walk round our school on a lead rope stop -start and backing up.
He did have a moment at the weekend he snapped the bale twine and jumped about (not lots) and soon calmed down to be brushed again.

Is sedating him the "Only" way ..................
Click to expand...
 
It's cetainly safer all round .
I certainly would not attempt to have the teeth of a nervous horse done without sedation the first time in time as the horse becomes more confident it may be ok .
It probally easier to get the vet to do it this time .
 
Thank you for comments - I am sitting on the fence as I don't want him upset - but the cost of Vet and dentist is going to hurt :( - But his welfare is what is important.
 
Grinch said:
Thank you for comments - I am sitting on the fence as I don't want him upset - but the cost of Vet and dentist is going to hurt :( - But his welfare is what is important.
Click to expand...

Then perhaps a vet for the first visit would be a good idea. Be open, tell the vet you would like the dentist to do him long term but that you want to be prepared for any issues this first time.
 
Grinch said:
I have contacted a local dentist as on a Face book thread he was rec'm by lots of people.

His secretary called me yesterday and as soon as I said I had a very nervous horse she said "He would have to be
sedated by the vet". I had him vet checked the other day and the vet put his hand in his mouth no bother!! - He is nervous as
he is a cruelty rescue and we are working with him in 3weeks I have managed to head collar him bring him out and tie him up groom him spray his mane and de-matt it.
Walk round our school on a lead rope stop -start and backing up.
He did have a moment at the weekend he snapped the bale twine and jumped about (not lots) and soon calmed down to be brushed again.

Is sedating him the "Only" way ..................
Click to expand...
No. I am constantly amazed how tolerant horses are with dental work performed by a quiet, skilled and calm dentist. I have a friend with a few frightened rescues, none have needed sedation for routine work. Out of the 20 horses and ponies I know well, none in this category is a problem with good handling. One of mine is more awkward (lifts head out of reach) but even she can be done safely without sedation.

I would find another dentist.
 
You don't need IV sedation ask your vet for a tube of domesdin (sp), it's the same as one of the drugs they use in IV sedation but you can give it yourself so no need for vet call out and easier to time adminiter for when dentist is there.

Personally I prefer an expert dentist and wouldn't let a generalist vet do my horses teeth.
 
If pony still needs more time (3 weeks isn't long) to be happy with head and mouth handling and settle generally and you cant wait (ie. vet says teeth must be done asap) I would use proper I/V sedation but the vet administering this may also have a problem! Oral sedation is very unpredictable in stressful situations.

Can it wait a few weeks? Keeping pony where he feels safe is a good plan as well.
 
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Get a different dentist, mine doesn't sedate and works quietly and with the horse rather than forcing the horse.

The new gel is good but needs to go on the gums to be absorbed.

Where abouts are you?- sorry just seen your other thread!
 
amandap said:
If pony still needs more time (3 weeks isn't long) to be happy with head and mouth handling and settle generally and you cant wait (ie. vet says teeth must be done asap) I would hose proper I/V sedation but the vet administering this may also have a problem! Oral sedation is very unpredictable in stressful situations.

Can it wait a few weeks? Keeping pony where he feels safe is a good plan as well.
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Vet said they need doing very soon. Maybe like you say work with him a few more weeks he is a sweetie but scared :)
 
amandap said:
Oral sedation is very unpredictable in stressful situations.
Click to expand...

I think it is with other drugs such as sedaline but Domestin in the same stuff they use IV so just as predictable as getting the vet out. If you can worm him you can give this gel effectively

I do agree tho waiting a few weeks and finding a dentist who's prepared to take the time would be well worth it too
 
I would have vet out to sedate for first time as IV sedation is more accurate and if things like wolf teeth need removing you need a vet there anyway, my mare is good in all ways but with the dentist needed sedating plus a top up plus local as she was not having any of it, she was not being dangerous or throwing herself about but just walking into the dentist/lifting her chin off the stand so he could not do his work. myself the vet and the dentist could not stop her lifting her head off the stand and he said more than once 'this is a mare it would be wise never to fall out with' and 'she is so bl**dy strong'

she only stands about 15 hands and in 4 yrs it is the only time she has used her strength against anyone but I did say when we went in she will need sedating-make the first time count and get everything done he needs then see what he is like next time
 
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Polos Mum said:
I think it is with other drugs such as sedaline but Domestin in the same stuff they use IV so just as predictable as getting the vet out. If you can worm him you can give this gel effectively

I do agree tho waiting a few weeks and finding a dentist who's prepared to take the time would be well worth it too
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I am not familiar with this. Never heard of it in fact! lol

I do think we rush to focus on getting something done when in reality it can wait a bit of time until more handling preparation is done and a suitable professional is found.
Dentists and vets still need horse handling skills.
 
It's a big ask for a nervous horse that hasn't had much handling to stay calm for the dentist. If his teeth urgently need doing, I would prefer to sedate the first time to make sure that the job is done properly. Safer all round.

If you can wait for a while til he's more settled, then he may be able to cope better.

Agree that some dentists are much better than others in their horse handling skills and need to have many fewer of their equine clients sedated than others. I'm lucky that I have the choice of a very competent and experienced dentist who is a natural with horses and an excellent vet who has trained up to do dentistry to a high standard.

The dentist was able to do the 3 yo rescue filly using power tools and gag earlier this year, though I did take the precaution of giving her a small amount of Sedalin first.
 
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