Infected tooth root

[PStarfish]

Just over a week ago my old boy developed a really bad case of smelly breath. This was followed a couple of days later by heavy yellow nasal discharge. The dentist came out but couldn't do anything as P was being unco-operative (not surprising given the pain he was in). So the next day the vet came out and sedated him to take a look. She found nothing obvious, no fractures abcess' etc. She called the vet hospital for their opinion and they are pretty certain he has an infected tooth root. There are two options for this,, the first and best is obviously removal of the tooth - this needs x-rays and then removal which at best case could be done under sedation over many days of literally wobbling the tooth until it is removed. The more likely option would involve a full operation to drill from above. Either of these procedures costs hideous money (over a thousand for the first, up to £7k for the second!) This is money I sadly do not have.
The only other option is antibiotics for life. This will not cure the problem, will also cost a fortune monthly and I beleive could ultimately make his suffering far worse in the future.
Has anyone here had this problem and used antibiotics long term?
I am facing a very sad situation. He is currently on a treble course of antibiotics in the small hope that it is not the root and something that has not shown itself yet. He finishes the course next Wednesday and then its a case of the waiting game to see if the infection returns. If it does, its then decision time....

Has anyone any experience of his?

 

[AmyMay]

What does decision time mean?

 

[PStarfish]

SS I can't help thinking I'm facing the worst situation and will have to have him pts. I need to discuss long term antibiotics again with the vet to see how much time they would give, and also what long term consequenses they could have. I also don't know if I can afford it. From the vets they would cost over £90 a month, but they did mention prescription for buying themon the internet. My head is all over the place and it seems so unfair to lose my darling over a tooth!

 

[AmyMay]

Well, I think you're going to do some more homework on costs - and the actual procedures being talked about.

Can this tooth only be removed via GA?? VictoriaEDT on here may be able to give you some more information on this.

I don't think it's realistic to keep the horse on antibiotics indefinately, because ultimately the infection will eat in to the bone (inspite of the AB's) and the situation will become even worse.

Obviously the age and condition of the horse is one to consider - if this is an elderly person, then maybe trying your best with the AB's in the short term is the way to go - and if that doens't work, adios.

However if this is a well, fit horse - then no vet would condone putting him down.

Presumably you're not insured, otherwise there would be no issue surrounding costs.

Don't fret though - this isn't a life or death situation, and you may find a procedure that is more within your budget by contacting other equine clinics, if GA is the only way to go.

 

[PStarfish]

According to the vets, the tooth removal can only be done by either sedation and literally 'wobbling' the tooth out. They would normally only do this if the tooths already loose to start with (his isn't). GA is the second option. Either way, either option costs more than I have. He is insured but due to his age for accidental external injury only so they won't cover this.
He's aged at least 22.
I thought the same about long term AB's and I think this is basically what the vet said (infection will spread etc). Though it was a lot to take in at the time.
My current state of mind id telling me that if the infection returns to give him a month on ABs and let him go while he's still happy. But still trying to cling to the hope that he will prove the vets wrong and it will clear up on this course of ABs.

 

[AmyMay]

I think you need to get a second opinion. And also speak to your insurers, and to your EDT.

If an elderly horse needed a GA to have a tooth removed, then we wouldn't have so many toothless oldies.

Good luck.

 

[Dogstar]

My 19 year old mare had a big swollen face earlier this year (June). The vet said it could be an infected cheek but it could be a tooth root and if it was, we had a problem as you describe. I think he thought it was a root as he couldn't feel a cut cheek, but we had the ABs and to my relief it did clear up with no recurrence to date! Obviously the symptoms were different but don't panic yet. If it is a root then the cheaper treatment could work anyway! I can understand you not thinking 7k is realistic though, even if you love the horse that is too much and way beyond what most insurers cover anyway.

 

[Dogstar]

PS meant to add that if you did go for the nuclear £7K option some vets allow you to pay by instalments, I have just noticed that my vets have this option! Also this seems a lot for an op. My friend's horse had a GA for a big leg op recently and that came to c £4k

 

[maggiesmum]

I'd go for a 2nd opinion, my dentist was telling me a couple of months ago that a vet at Leahurst is now specialising in removing teeth standing under sedation - so maybe see what they have to say?
Its not just the cost thats different but recovery time is much, much less.
Make some enquiries about instalments too, my vets are ok with it.

 

[mtj]

One of mine has recently spent the day at the vets having a tooth fragment removed under sedation.

The total cost including xrays was £224. Is it worth getting some xrays done to provide a clearer picture of the problem?

We are due to go back in 3 weeks for a check up. The vet did warn me that tooth removal, if it is necessary, is major surgery with a significant complication rate.

Have to say, if this is recommended I'll definitely be looking into the Leashurst option.

Good luck with your horse

 

[Alibear]

My horse had two front incisors removed under standing sedation, they were impacted behind the baby teeth so a lot of work but was do-able for £500 (an no they wren't genlty wiggled out they were cut out)
If he'd had to have a GA to get them out I was quoted £2000
I know it's more likely to be a molar and harder access but your vets estimates seem a lot?
Also I understand that with an older horse you may not want to put him through a GA.
I have an older reitred chap and I think in your position I'd try the first two options and see how you go?

 

[legend]

My old boy had a tooth root abcess about 6 years ago and had 6 weeks of twice daily oral tribrissen antibiotics (mostly because he won't eat the powders, awkward git) This worked brilliantly for him, I just obviously needed to keep a close eye on his guts getting overly squitty as he has a somewhat 'delicate' stomach- he had a fair amount of gut removed when he was colic op'd 14 years ago. He had pre/probiotics as a precautionary measure.
That sorted him out for about 3 years, and then it came back. The second vet (different practice as I was at uni at the time) only wanted him to have once daily antis for 5 days, which did nothing and I ended up taking him to Langfords Equine Hosp for Henry Tremaine to sort it out (which they duly did under sedation, although he also had to be nerve blocked with the largest needle i have EVER seen!). In his case he had the diastema widened between his teeth as it was the food getting stuck between them and then rotting that was causing the problem.
Personally I'd have the xrays done to see whats really going on and whether the tooth is cracked or salvagable etc and then if appropriate go onto the antibiotics.
Sorry thats such an essay- if i can help anymore feel free to pm me

 

[figgy]

this time last year i had the same thing, horse was eating funny so took him to vet and X-rayed head he had tooth root infection so we try for about a week to get the tooth out but as he is young the root was to long so had to go in through his face,under GA, he was better then it happen again 4 time more in 6 mouths crap. ( he has dental caries this is why) in all it cost me 12k his worth it.

 

[wendyII]

u wont know till they take xrays, which tooth is it? we had a gelding that had one of his molars taken out they said they might need to go in through the face but after seeing the xrays he was admitted in the morning, heavily sedated and and they pulled it standing, he was back home the same day. They left part of the root in the alveolus as removing it would have meant further digging, but all nerve endings were killed off so they left it. He has to get his teeth rasped every six months though because the lower molar doesn't have anything to grind against so doesnt wear down as it should.

 

[glenruby]

Sallysmith - Im afraid a tooth root abcess is far more complex than just pulling a tooth. It is a fairly major surgery and beyond that, its the overnights on hospital livery, iv antibiotics and pain relief on top of the actual cost of sedation, xrays and surgery that would bring the cost upto £1000.
I would however advise getting 1-2 xrays taken before making the decision to PTS. That way, you will know for definite whether or not he has a tooth root abcess and the extent of it - which will give a better idea of prognosis. i take it you have informed your vet that this leaves you in a difficult situation financially (as well as emotionally)? Just today we had an elderly horse PTS and wner could barely afford to have it put down - so many vets will make some allowances cost wise in certain cases.

 

[PStarfish]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really am devastated over it. I think I must have the most expensive vets hospital in the country! They have quoted over £400 just for the xrays, then if removal can be done standing just over £1000. The last case they had was a GA case and costs came to over £7k (plus the follow on treatment). I don't even have transport so even the cost to get him to the hospital and back is over £100. Unfortunately he has recently eaten my savings having x-rays for arthritis (which he has in his fatlock) and my other horse had a very bad case of concussion lami in summer. I am eating myself up that I might not be able to afford the treatment he needs.
I think I need to find the money some where for x-rays, then make a sensible decision from there....

 

[K27]

Firstly, I wouldn't panic!- my horse had an infected tooth root as a 3yr old, it came up as a lump on his face and an xray confirmed it was an infected tooth root- he was treated with Baytril antiobiotic, which cleared the infection up, and then re xrayed to check the infection had cleared up (can't remember how many weeks later he was xrayed seem to remember approx 3 weeks). Don't understand why you've been advised antibiotics for life!?!!

Also I had an elderly mare with a sinus infection and Baytril cleared that up well too, theres also Interferon A which helps with the immune system too- she had that as well. The Baytril is very expensive but have had various horses on it over the years and it's always worked well.

The tooth removal would prob need General anaesthetic too- would it be worth getting your vet to xray, try something like Baytril etc re xray and go from there?, if it means you could save the tooth? (and money! and putting the horse througha GA!) , may also be worth consulting a good experienced EDT and if everything else fails, maybe an equine vet who specialises in teeth.

Good luck with everything and hope he recovers soon.

 

[joan]

I have a 23 year old who developed a tooth problem in January 2007. Found him in a muck sweat - soaked from head to foot one morning. Called Vet. Eventually found this tooth needed removing. It was done under local anaesthetic. He remained at the Vets for a few days for observation and then came home. Unfortunately, he developed a sinus infection which, despite taking swabs and hitting with the correct Abs, never cleared up. They wanted to clean out the sinuses by taking out a piece of bone under his eye but I said no. In the end I turned him out 24/7 and it went away on its own because he had his head down draining the sinuses for a month. The cost of having a tooth removed with all the treatment and hospitalisation was £641. He is now as fit as a fiddle and full of life. Dont give up hope - talk to your Vet.

 

[siant2]

I am in a very similar situation as yourself. My girl had sinus infections all last year they thought it may have been a tooth root abcess but they couldnt decide....so as she was insured i had a bone scan done as a diagnostic test which showed it wasnt the tooth....anyway she ended up having 3x surgery (not related to the tooth- just sinus surgery!!!) which amounted to £3.5k

Now, a year later, its reoccured....but im now not covered by insurance!
Now the vets think it could be the tooth....but im not going to know without xraying.

Jointly with the vets we have decided that as long as she is happy within herself and eating well, not dropping weight and no other symptoms other than nasal discharge then we will leave her as she is. If she starts developing any other symptoms I will get her head xrayed again and then make a decision as to how we are gonna treat the probable tooth problem.

I pray every day that she is not gonna get ill, as I remember for 6 months last year she had mild nasal discharge with no other symptoms and she literally got really ill overnight (not eating, and depressed). Hope your Chap and yourself hold out hope.... Im thinking of trying herbal therapy or Reiki as an alternative if i cant afford the tooth treatment if she gets worse. Not sure if you have thought of that?x

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
If she starts developing any other symptoms I will get her head xrayed

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a fairly inexpensive procedure though........

 

[chrisnapthineEDT]

to be honest how can you be quoted cost ect when no exrays have been taken to establish a cause??? in a 22yr old horse the ammount of crown left in the gum is small so should be fairly strait forward to take out.it is in no way many days of wiggling it ect thats just rubbish to be honest.a trephine which means drilling a hole then basically punching out the tooth should not be needed as the socket should be able to be curreted out via the extraction hole.i was at a clinc only yesterday removing the top part of a fractured molar on a 6 yr old the bottom was basically mush from a massive infection,the vet quoted £2500 for the trephine and after care.bear in mind a horse is not designed to lay down for a long time so general anastetic (spelling)is a far higher risk of death.a good dentist along with a good vet should find it no problem.look back at my posts you will see an infected tooth extracted from a 3yr old and this was pretty strait forward and even though very short for its age its still a hell of a lot bigger than one in a 22yr old.if you need further advise pm me or any of the dentists on here,dont worry stop thinking the worse as your a long long way from that...

chris