First dental visit

Chonkers

Chonkers

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As above, I am looking to have an equine dentist lined up for the new year. It’s both mine and the horses first dental visit so I have no idea what to expect. Assuming she’ll have a good look then rasp any sharp bits? Are there any questions I should be asking her?

Equine dental care was never part of my education so I’m flying a little blind here. Any help much appreciated!
 
Has the horse ever been done before? It might be worth having the vet out if not so they can sedate.

Generally feel around jaw line then gag on (looks a bit medieval), wash out mouth to get rid of food and have a good look with head torch, poke around, count teeth, work out where sharp bits are.

Depends on the EDT / Vet as to what tools they use. Some have a stand for the head, some still file manually etc.

Worth getting local recommendations though and also check qualifications. I've got a post on here recently re: as friend finding out her EDT didn't have a recognised qualification!
 
SEL said:
Has the horse ever been done before? It might be worth having the vet out if not so they can sedate.

Generally feel around jaw line then gag on (looks a bit medieval), wash out mouth to get rid of food and have a good look with head torch, poke around, count teeth, work out where sharp bits are.

Depends on the EDT / Vet as to what tools they use. Some have a stand for the head, some still file manually etc.

Worth getting local recommendations though and also check qualifications. I've got a post on here recently re: as friend finding out her EDT didn't have a recognised qualification!
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Never, much to my eternal shame. She was backed/broken at 3 and hunted at 4 & 5 then become a lawnmower for 7 years.
She’s totally fine with the vet and farrier so I’m being optimistic about dentist but you’re probably correct re-sedating.
Neighbours ponies have never seen a dentist so I’m doing a lot of google based research and will ask vet for their recommendation.
Thank you for the reply, it’s very helpful!
 
Chonkers said:
Never, much to my eternal shame. She was backed/broken at 3 and hunted at 4 & 5 then become a lawnmower for 7 years.
She’s totally fine with the vet and farrier so I’m being optimistic about dentist but you’re probably correct re-sedating.
Neighbours ponies have never seen a dentist so I’m doing a lot of google based research and will ask vet for their recommendation.
Thank you for the reply, it’s very helpful!
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I would definitely anticipate needing sedation- if she’s 12(?) and has never been done then there’s likely to be a lot of work needs doing and that is much, much easier in a sedated horse
 
TheMule said:
I would definitely anticipate needing sedation- if she’s 12(?) and has never been done then there’s likely to be a lot of work needs doing and that is much, much easier in a sedated horse
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She’s 15 (was occasionally hacked by my mother for a bit)
Definite yes for sedation then, thank you!
 
A specialist dental vet is the way to go for a 15yo who hasn’t been floated before. They can top up the sedation as necessary during the floating, too. It would be surprising if there weren’t at least sharp edges which have ulcerated the cheeks in places.

Whilst horses rarely resent the dental gag, it is far easier for even a skilled operator to work on a sedated horse with the head resting on a chin rest, especially when getting right to the back of the mouth.
 
Tiddlypom said:
A specialist dental vet is the way to go for a 15yo who hasn’t been floated before. They can top up the sedation as necessary during the floating, too. It would be surprising if there weren’t at least sharp edges which have ulcerated the cheeks in places.
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I will certainly look into it.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure there are any specialists around me, am in Ireland and equine dentists are thin on the ground! Worst case scenario I’ll have the vet sedate her and there is a BEVA/BVDA lady who can travel to me.
 
have a bucket of water handy if you’ve already done waters in the stable - they’ll dunk their tools in it!🤣

if she’s never had teeth done before she’ll probably have wolf teeth, i’m not sure if EDT can remove them as i’ve only ever used vet for teeth, so something to keep in mind if you’d want them out.
 
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