Horses teeth - do you use a vet or an equine dentist?

Dentist!! Especially after understanding the training that an equine dentist has to go to compared to a vet! Can highly recommened Bee May if she is local to you.
 
I have used dentists but last time he was due the vet was out for a check up on a leg issue and vaccinations so thought I may as well kill two birds with one stone. Thats the way I would do it in future as the results were exactly the same.

In fact the Vet was more explanatory to us and advised us tips to help keep his teeth in good check etc.
 
Goldenstar said:
I simply don't believe that using a fully qualified equine vet with a huge amount of experiance and thousands of pounds worth of kit is skimping.
My vet an equine specialist trained by one of the most respected professors of equine dentistry to do horses teeth has access to said professor for advice and quick referral ( the proff got the job of trying to salvage the situation with the mare ruined by the EDT ) this vet is in charge of overseeing every aspect of my horses care she can take a big overview of everything going on with the horses.
The thing is I trust my vet I will never trust another EDT.
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All of the equine vets I use are fully qualified dentists too and I use them for my horses. It is most certainly not skimping as where I live, the vets cost $150-$200 and the dentists cost $40. The vets all do a fantastic job.
 
Spring Feather said:
All of the equine vets I use are fully qualified dentists too and I use them for my horses. It is most certainly not skimping as where I live, the vets cost $150-$200 and the dentists cost $40. The vets all do a fantastic job.
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I don't know for sure but I expect my vet is much more expensive that the EDT 's who work round here.
 
Vet with specialist dental training - will never use anyone else. 'Dentists' are only Dental technicians. Also if you find you need anything more than a routine rasp, the vet has the sedation/drugs etc all ready if needed and you will save having a second call out for the vet or the stress of a Dental technician battling to get the job done without sedation.
 
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Always the dentist. She was out this week for a routine visit, costs £45 for a check and float. My horse hasn't ever needed sedation but I always find that the dentist isn't in a rush, and takes time to calm him down if he gets worried. I've used a few different ones due to moving yards but they all seem it have a 'way' with the horses. They also take time to explain what they are doing, let me have a feel of his teeth, advise on bits and check the fit of the bridle etc. - not saying that a vet wouldn't do this but I would always opt for an EDT.
 
im lucky, my vet is a qualified dentist and he is really good with the horses and it means if sedation is needed it can be done immediately although mine hasnt needed sedating
 
Okay I'm seeing lots of people talking about sedation. I'm guessing you're all talking about manual rasping then if you're not having sedation? Manual rasping is not the norm here at all. It's all done by power floating around where I live and that can't be done without sedation. I wouldn't have any of my horses manually rasped, I always have power floating done.
 
Spring Feather said:
Okay I'm seeing lots of people talking about sedation. I'm guessing you're all talking about manual rasping then if you're not having sedation? Manual rasping is not the norm here at all. It's all done by power floating around where I live and that can't be done without sedation. I wouldn't have any of my horses manually rasped, I always have power floating done.
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I avoid manual rasping too sometimes the vet will just finish with a manual rasp but I had one done on Monday no manual rasping at all and he appeared never to have a dental.
In the hands of a good pracititoner and of course with a sedated horse its quick and stress free.
J my horse with the troublesome mouth has his mouth checked at twelve week intervals he's so used to it the vet can float his tooth that has no corresponding below easily in a couple of minutes max he's sedated six monthly for full dentals .
I have not had manual rasping as the norm for many years.
 
Tayto said:
As the title says really.

I have only had my horse a few months so interested to hear peoples thoughts on vets doing horses teeth vs an equine dentist?

I have been using the vet however noticed a sign at the yard saying there was an equine dentist attending and got me thinking........
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EDT Every time


had vets in past they only touch the surface
 
EDT every time. Our EDT is fully qualified with a lot of experience and regularly tops up his training. From what I've been told, most vets spend less than two weeks studying teeth - which doesn't exactly inspire confidence! I had both vet and dentist out a few weeks ago as a 3 y.o. needed sedating to have wolf teeth out - the vet was happy to admit that the equipment she would have used was nowhere near as good as that used by the dentist.
 
Vet prophesied doom and gloom with my loan mare's tooth, i.e. power tool/sedation needed etc etc.

So after discussion with her owner we used an equine dentist: no sedation, no power tools, mare was happy, no dramas, job done.

I know which I'll use in future.

Em, another thing: on a human level, if your teeth needed skilled attention, would you go to your Doctor???? No, of course not! :) Question answered then innit.
 
The exclusive use of rasps on horses mouths belongs in the dark ages .
Power tools are kinder quicker and more effective however I would never allow their use without sedation so a apporiatly trained vet is the best way for me.
 
Will only use a BAEDT for mine, would not use anyone who calls themself a 'horse dentist' - of the latter, the only ones I have come across are very cagey about any recognised qualifications

The BAEDT I use works happily with my vets, so if any problems occur (as did 3 yrs ago) vet & technician met to discuss the way forwards, then tech did the work with vet doing the anaesthetic etc - great team :)
 
I use a fully qualified edt- she uses the electric things without sedation as it's not needed. She gives my girl regular breaks & when she starts to get restless she stops for a minute. She is fantastic. Highly highly recommend Sophie knight
 
My BAEDT uses power tools (vet I tried once used manual) all 5 of mine used power tools without sedation - you don't sedate to clip (I'm guessing) so what is the difference?

The powertool stop instantly on contact with anything soft ( he proved it by putting it on my arm) so power tools safer than manual when you can catch a hand rasp on the side of the mouth.
 
Polos Mum said:
My BAEDT uses power tools (vet I tried once used manual) all 5 of mine used power tools without sedation - you don't sedate to clip (I'm guessing) so what is the difference?

The powertool stop instantly on contact with anything soft ( he proved it by putting it on my arm) so power tools safer than manual when you can catch a hand rasp on the side of the mouth.
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Because it's a whopping great long drill that has a cutting end on it. And it does cut. Tongues and lips and cheeks. Hence I have mine sedated. I'm guessing your power tools are not the same as the power tools used over here. Ours look like the concrete breakers you see workmen on the roads using. I'm guessing yours are little things attached to a house electric drill or something similar?
 
Spring Feather said:
Because it's a whopping great long drill that has a cutting end on it. And it does cut. Tongues and lips and cheeks. Hence I have mine sedated. I'm guessing your power tools are not the same as the power tools used over here. Ours look like the concrete breakers you see workmen on the roads using. I'm guessing yours are little things attached to a house electric drill or something similar?
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I always think my vet looks like a wierd ghostbusters reject as she heads towards the horses using wearing a boiler suit and wielding this large drill thing it about two feet long plus metal floaty bit .
Not sure I would risk it without a bit of sedation it could do serious damage .
 
Spring Feather said:
Because it's a whopping great long drill that has a cutting end on it. And it does cut. Tongues and lips and cheeks. Hence I have mine sedated. I'm guessing your power tools are not the same as the power tools used over here. Ours look like the concrete breakers you see workmen on the roads using. I'm guessing yours are little things attached to a house electric drill or something similar?
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My EDT's one is like this. But TBF he says he doesn't like the large ones because they heat up, and it's very easy to take too much off. His his more like a handdrill.
 
Goldenstar said:
I always think my vet looks like a wierd ghostbusters reject as she heads towards the horses using wearing a boiler suit and wielding this large drill thing it about two feet long plus metal floaty bit .
Not sure I would risk it without a bit of sedation it could do serious damage .
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Lol!! The one your vet uses sounds like the same as the honking great piece of equipment my vet uses! And yes my vet looks like a ghostbuster too :smile3:
 
Spring Feather said:
I'm guessing your power tools are not the same as the power tools used over here.
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I certainly think we are talking about quite different things, the actual diamond blade is about the size of a 50p (maybe an inch across) attached to a shaft about as thick as a hunting crop. I'll see if I can find a photo!
The system it's attached to has a sensor that instantly and automatically shuts off if it touches something soft, so you can turn it on, turn it right up and then touch it on your arm without any cutting at all.

I guess there is a risk that they could make to tooth too smooth - but certainly no risk of injury to the inside of their mouth.

I agree with you - certainly if the vet is using something industrial where it is critical the horse stands stock still - then they would have to be sedated (or find a vet that uses something more horse friendly )

http://www.equinebladesdirect.com/product.aspx?subcatid=37
 
Thanks Polos Mum :smile3: yes it looks like a different piece of kit is being used although some of the tips shown in the link my (preferred) vet does have but he also has very different ends (I hasten to call them tips as they are more 'industrial' in size). I don't know what size a 50p is now but if it's similar in size to our quarters then yes I've seen that tip being used too. He also has one which is like a traditional manual rasp end but it's automated. Thanks, good discussion :smile3:
 
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