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.
 
dottylottie said:
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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Never would have thought of having water handy for tools, thank you!
When I’m out later with the head torch I’ll have a good luck. Bless her, she has no idea what’s coming 😅
 
Chonkers said:
Never would have thought of having water handy for tools, thank you!
When I’m out later with the head torch I’ll have a good luck. Bless her, she has no idea what’s coming 😅
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it pains me when they dunk their tools in my fresh water bucket and get it full of bits of grass and feed😂 completely my own fault if i’ve forgot to grab another bucket though!

one of mine has just the 1, i had her teeth done when i bought her at 10 and they asked if i wanted it out, but i figured its not given her any issues up to now so she can keep it! i had my then 4 year old’s out though.
 
You’ll probably find the vets are confident with dentistry if there’s not many EDTs about. It doesn’t sound like a specialist job just a big one!
 
Your dentists don't bring their own bucket?! 💀💀💀

I also use my vet for teeth, in Northern Ireland. (She brings her own special steel bucket!) She will refer out for anything surgical, hopefully you won't need it, but a vet is a good point of contact for who is good/ qualified if you do. We have also had a few local ones caught practicing without qualifications!
 
Defo my vet dentist brings own steel bucket, uses fresh water from my tap and adds his own disinfectant to it.

No equine dentist should be using a yard bucket to dump his tools in 😳. Huge black mark, very poor practice.

ETA Good view of the mouth with sedated horse resting head on chin rest. This 19yo mare’s teeth were in a terrible state when this vet dentist took them on, with a wave and a shear mouth, two dead and infected incisors, dental decay, sharp points and hooks. He’s worked a miracle on her.

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This is probably controversial to say, but quite apart from ensuring the technician's safety and ability to do a proper job, it feels kinder and fairer to the horse to sedate. I know horses can/will tolerate without it but wouldn't use one that didn't sedate personally. But also wouldn't just use a standard vet, teeth specialist only.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
This is probably controversial to say, but quite apart from ensuring the technician's safety and ability to do a proper job, it feels kinder and fairer to the horse to sedate. I know horses can/will tolerate without it but wouldn't use one that didn't sedate personally. But also wouldn't just use a standard vet, teeth specialist only.
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I think it depends. I have one that's done by the vet and sedated and one that is needle phobic, but an angel for the EDT. It really frustrating because I have to have the vet for just one dental, when it could be two.
 
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