horse dentist v vet.

[flash1]

I have always used vet to look after teeth, but wonder if a dentist is better.
Also does anyone know of any good dentists in coventry area/midlands.
Not sure if its best to use vet or dentist.Have had no problems with vet, but they do just seem to do a quick rasp.

What sort of price do dentists charge compared to vets and how do you tell if they are fully qualified.
Thanks

 

[Dogstar]

Hmm I have always wondered about this but always end up getting the vet to do it because a, they are out anyway for jabs; b, they always seem to do a good job even when Lucy had wave teeth and Ellie had a wolf tooth; c, dentists were always unqualified in the old days; d, suspicious that dentists might 'find' things to do...

 

[eoe]

Dentist for all maintenance work, so long as they are a UK qualified EDT, they way I look at it is they have put over 1000 hours into getting trained specifically to do horses teeth, my EDT is an absolute diamond he is so patient with the horses and it always explains what he is doing and why and how it has happened.

I had 3 new liveries arrive earlier in the year that had all had 5 stage vettings done and their teeth, EDT came out a couple of weeks ago to check some horses on the yard and it turns out that the vet had only down the lower 3 molars on both sides so horses mouths were like the turrets of a castle, now horses are fine and are riding and eating so much better.

 

[Divasmum]

In the past I've generally used a vet but switched to an EDT a few years ago. I think the main thing is to ensure the horses teeth are being checked by one or the other.

 

[BigRed]

The only benefit of having the vet, is that they can sedate the horse if needs be. My horse does not like wearing a gag. She doesn't mind the rasping. I personally don't like hanging onto an unhappy horse, so she has a jab and everyone's life is easier.

 

[bj_cardiff]

I always use a vet as most of my horses need sedating for dental work

 

[soulfull]

I use both EDT once a year and vet once a year so teeth get done every six months.

I don't think a vet alone is enough they don't have enough training just on teeth. My vet has done extra training but he is still not as good as the dentist. Afterall you don't go to the doctors for a toothache.

 

[Super_Kat]

Used to use a vet because I thought a vet and a proper equine dentist did the same stuff...Not so. Had a level 2 qualified dentist (sadly there are only about 10 in this country I think) out look at my horses a few months after the vet had been and he pointed out a few things that the vet didn't do (the vet I used was apparantly supposed to be BRILLIANT with teeth...... No so).
At the end of the day, a vet does a couple of days on teeth, a properly qualified equine dentist does god knows how many hours training as well as all of the exams. It's a no brainer really.

 

[lizziebell]

I use my vet - they have specific vets in the practice that specialise in different areas as well as general equine, and one of those is teeth.

 

[JVB]

One of mine needs sedating but I have a dentist do them - I just time it yearly so that my vet can do jabs while the dentist does their teeth.

Cost wise, I pay £35 per horse for the dentist and then the giant vets bill for sedating and jabs.

Luckily we all get done on our yard at the same time so often share call out fees as others need sedating too.

 

[jenmac_85]

I used an EDT for the first time this year and intend to continue to use him. He was excellent and I felt gave me a better report than the vet. I had a paper copy and he found a few things that should have been picked up by vet.

Dont blame the vets as they arent trained up to the same standard. Depends on the choice of the individual EDT and vet that you are given I suppose.

I will however continue to use my EDT

 

[coen]

I prefer a dentist, I am not fond of the way vets seem to recommend sedating them at the first sign of trouble. Also I feel a dentist is more knowledgeable and interested rather then just doing a quick rasp.

I also had a 5 stage vetting vet said his teeth didn't need rasping but i would need to make a slit to help his canine's come through as they wouldn't on the own.

Total rubbish canine's came through a few months later and dentist said there were sharp edges at the back which needed rasping.

Cost around £35- £40.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If you've got a tooth cavity you go to a dentist. If you've broken a leg you go to a doctor. I believe it's the same with a horse. Teeth you see an EDT, other ailments & injuries you see a vet.

 

[flash1]

Thanks for all replys. Does any one know of a good dentist in midlands, cov area please.

 

[kcinks]

I will never ever let the vet do my horses teeth again. In march this year one of mine needed his teeth doing, I had the vet coming for jabs so decided to save money and get him to do it. BIG MISTAKE! I then had to get the EDT out to rectify all the damage the vet had caused. The vet had basically rasped the teeth flat so there was no grinding surface left, the EDT had to recreate the ridges. The horse went from being nicely conditioned to hat rack very quickly in the few days between the vet and the dentist being able to come out, he could not keep any food in his mouth. I then had to keep him in for the next two months as he was in no state to be out (as he had been previously) therefore costing me a lot more than the extra £10 the EDT would have charged me in the first place!

 

[Aru]

Vets dont get the same training and practical experience in teeth as a qualified EDT does.
Thats just the truth.We get the basic's in collage then we learn more depending on personal intreast in different area's and working on the job...the veterinary course teach's a very stong basis in everything but for some things like dentistry it is just that the basic's..its up to the equine vet to do further research into it...some vet's will be better than others and some will have extra qualifications when it comes to horses teeth and mouth.

So for routine tasks like rasping etc id use a good qualified EDT or a vet who's known for being good at teeth issues.

But remember that a vet can spot other issues in a horses mouth and treat accordingly so an occasional check up from a vet who's known for being good with teeth isnt a bad idea.The EDT cant be expected to pick up on medical problems though some will pick up enough experience on the job to mention issues.

If your horse needs a sedative you need a vet alright, and most equine vets are capable enough when it comes to teeth so they can rasp etc but that doesnt mean you have to use that vet all the time you can get the animal sedated then have your EDT do the job.
(as long as your not blatently insulting the vet,like using one who has done a lot with teeth and is known for being a dentist)
Regardless they shouldnt have an issue... and even if they do we are meant to be proffesionals,they should do as requested and continue on as long as the horses welfare isnt being compromised.

 

[BayJosie]

My vet is a qualified EDT so I see him, I wouldn't otherwise though.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

Flash12 if you have a look in "stable yard" you will find a sticky post I wrote which tells you how to go about finding a UK qualified EDT.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

This year for the first time we had a vet who is also qualified as EDT and only does that now but can sedate if necessary. I thought we might need to sedate the oldie who had had her tongue rasped accidentally by a newly qualified vet but all was well, partly I think because the horse is so sensible and partly because the EDT was so calm. We will always have this EDT in future.