Dentist or vet??

[Flowerofthefen]

Following on from a post in the veterinary section, do you use vet or dentist?

I have been struggling to get a reliable good dentist since my fab one whom I'd used for years retired. My boys are due their vaccs in July and teeth in August. I thought doing it all at once could be an option. The vet is slightly more expensive. Just deciding what the best option is!!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Vet.

 

[sassandbells]

I always use a vet

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Vet.

Thank you. Any particular reason?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I always use a vet

Did you find them better than a dentist?

 

[Tiddlypom]

As another who also formerly always recommended using non vet EDTs and no sedation, I now 100% recommend using a good vet dentist who uses sedation.

It turns out that my diamond of a mare had been suffering unnecessarily for years, and the other two had utterly preventable issues. Don't use a run of the mill vet who does a bit of rasping here and there - go for a specialist vet dentist.

Non vet EDT last saw diamond of a horse in Oct '22. Did not pick up her major issue, but luckily had noted another which got me to call vet dentist in. If it wasn't for that, she'd still be suffering.

 

[FlyingCircus]

I swap between dentist and vets.

Dentists if properly qualified see more and do more with dentistry than typical vets.

If dentist finds a problem that needs more of a look, I get vet out to sedate and look.

 

[TPO]

I've used an EDT consistently since this particular one qualified. I'd previously used various vets but had (blind!!) confidence in the fully trained and qualified EDT. BIG MISTAKE

EDT last saw the horse in October 22, another clean bill of health and didn't want to see horse again for a year. I usually aim for 6-9mth appointments.

A different horse needs sedated for teeth so while vet was out I got my horse done due to a few wee niggles. The vet found a huge problem that has been missed for years. The end result was a referral to Equine Dental Clinic for a specialist to deal with. It's now going to be a lifelong issue, needing at least 6 monthly interventions by the specialist.

100% use a vet who's had additional Dental training. At the very least use a vet to sedate for an EDT to work if someone wants to remain with an EDT.

Having learnt the hard (& painful & stressful & expensive) way I don't believe a good Dental can be performed on an unsedated horse and EDTs can't sedate...

 

[rabatsa]

The vet I use is also dental trained.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Thank you. Any particular reason?

Because he's a very good vet, has much more strings to his bow, is able to prescribe and use his drugs as required, can easily refer to nearest vet hospital if necessary.

2 of the 4 vets in the practice I use were BAEDT listed a few yrs ago, they both removed themselves before lockdown, I understand that the CPD required was onerous, a great distance away and not really needed as they already did CPD on dental and other subjects closer to the practice.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Thanks chaps. Just booked vet to do teeth alongside jabs.

 

[SEL]

I don't know why people get so upset at horses being sedated for dental work. One of my old yards they all used to make a big deal about not needing it. My vet pops in a quick dose, there's no fidgeting and no discomfort if she needs to get right to the back for any sharp points

Plus having almost been knocked out by the gag once (horse had a broken tooth we weren't aware of) I think it's safer all round

I also line it up with someone's injections OP on the basis that if there's a visit fee I'll get my money's worth!

 

[FlyingCircus]

I don't know why people get so upset at horses being sedated for dental work. One of my old yards they all used to make a big deal about not needing it. My vet pops in a quick dose, there's no fidgeting and no discomfort if she needs to get right to the back for any sharp points

Plus having almost been knocked out by the gag once (horse had a broken tooth we weren't aware of) I think it's safer all round

I also line it up with someone's injections OP on the basis that if there's a visit fee I'll get my money's worth!

Never really thought of it like that - I just don't like the idea of sedating unnecessarily.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Light sedation, horse's head supported on a chin rest - safer for everyone and vet dentist can get a really good look.

This is her having her fillings done in 109/110 a few weeks ago, vet dentist is checking his work with the camera, but the principle is the same for sedation/chin rest/dental gag for floating.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I have always used a dentist every 6 month without issue

Vet usually checks once a year with vaccs and always says they look great

 

[Tarragon]

Dental specialised vet and done at the same time as annual jabs. I get the ponies sedated even though my older pony would suffer a gag and manual tools, as I had heard that electric tools are easier on the teeth as don't require so much effort.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Maybe it helps that I have horses that don't move even when not sedated I'm sure I'd be keener to sedated otherwise!

 

[OlderNotWiser]

Our vet became an EDT so best of both worlds. Always happy to have ours sedated if necessary, so much less stress all round, and I know they’re getting a thorough check up.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Maybe it helps that I have horses that don't move even when not sedated I'm sure I'd be keener to sedated otherwise!

My 3 didn't move either, so I too presumed that sedation was unnecessary .

Though all 3 had gradually been getting a bit wriggly, which should have forewarned me. No ruddy wonder they were wriggling, it turned out.

 

[HollyWoozle]

We also use a vet specialising in dentistry.

 

[meleeka]

I’ve used both. A vet for the old girl that needs sedating and an EDT for the straightforward ones. My EDT spotted a loose rotting tooth that the vet missed so I don’t agree they all need sedating, nor do I think all EDT’s are equal.

 

[minesadouble]

None of ours needing sedating for their old EDT. We now use one who comes out with a dental specialist Vet and they all require sedation.

Turns out the reason they needed no sedation was that the old EDT wasn't doing the job thoroughly and this is why it caused no upset!

 

[Birker2020]

An EDT. Not only do the specialise in this subject but they have the correct tools. So many vets just rasp away too much in my experience and don't use a gag.

 

[Surbie]

I use an EDT once a year - he's gentle and takes his time amd I trust him to spot something a vet will need to do. My horse is fine with the manual rasps but utterly freaks out with power tools. (Found this out using a different EDT [once] who was also less than gentle)

 

[Goldenstar]

After two bad experiences with EDT’s I now only allow vet who have done the enhanced dental training near my horses .

An EDT. Not only do the specialise in this subject but they have the correct tools. So many vets just rasp away too much in my experience and don't use a gag.

I have never experienced a vet that does not use a gag .
I also prefer my horses sedated which is another reason for using a vet .

 

[meleeka]

I don't know why people get so upset at horses being sedated for dental work. One of my old yards they all used to make a big deal about not needing it. My vet pops in a quick dose, there's no fidgeting and no discomfort if she needs to get right to the back for any sharp points

Because it’s an unecessary expense if the horse really doesn’t need it. Mine just stand for as long as it takes (except one who does get sedated). They don’t move at all and certainly don’t fidget or fight it. I think my qualified EDT is more knowledgable than my vets on teeth, so I’d need to arrange sedation with the vet as well as book the EDT.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Folks, using a qualified EDT is not, unfortunately, a guarantee that the horse is getting competent dental care.

Be very careful.

 

[sassandbells]

Did you find them better than a dentist?

As a layman I probably can’t comment on whether they’re better, however I did find a vet who specialises in dentistry and after checking my mare who had seen the EDT a few times she picked up on a few things that had not been mentioned to me by the dentist. Not chargeable things, but things to note for the future! This was also confirmed when using a separate vet at a different practise so I feel quite confident with her

 

[Kaylum]

My horse was the most gentlest ever but hated the dentist. So sedation and the qualified vet dentist for us.

 

[Red-1]

I don't know why people get so upset at horses being sedated for dental work. One of my old yards they all used to make a big deal about not needing it. My vet pops in a quick dose, there's no fidgeting and no discomfort if she needs to get right to the back for any sharp points

Plus having almost been knocked out by the gag once (horse had a broken tooth we weren't aware of) I think it's safer all round

I also line it up with someone's injections OP on the basis that if there's a visit fee I'll get my money's worth!

Mine is a vet who is also a qualified dentist, who is also known as the horse whisperer for having horses stand quietly and not need sedation.

I dislike sedation as it is a kind of poison, and some people say it can be seen in hoof horn. I myself had gas and air many times to mend my teeth after an accident, it mucked up my system. At the time I was assured it was harmless, but Nitrous Oxide is now known to deactivate B12 in your body. In fact, it has become well known from the teens who have poisoned themselves with the stuff for recreation.

Any jab has the potential to introduce infection too.

I am usually the only person to handle my horses and I dislike just getting stuff done rather than use every interaction as training. Before my vet saw BH for something, I had him here and paid him (the horse whisperer one) to handle his feet, examine his teeth with a gag etc, as an advance/retreat training. No pressure, no objective other then to have him feel comfortable.

I like the dentist to put the gag on and off, so the horse gets the feel of it and knows it will come off. Then examine and rest again. Advance/retreat. I am strict about standing still. The vet does them without assistance, I mean, I am there but don't have to do anything.

Jay man had treatment for his suspensory injury. By working with the vets and doing some training, he had PRP, X Ray, Scan and shockwave therapy, all without sedation. We explained what he had to do and he did it. Then was fit to travel home immediately, as he wasn't sedated.

If something painful needs doing, such as a chip implant or wound stitching, I am in there with sedation. Who wouldn't protect the horse from pain and fear? If the dentist thought there was an issue that would cause pain or that would be better for being sedated and hung off a beam (you know what I mean) then yes, they can have it. I dislike sedation for things that are routine and non painful though.

I do understand why vets want it, so I don't have the zone visits, preferring to name the confident and deft vet who inspires confidence.