Is sedation standard for routine dentist teeth rasping??

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icyfreya

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Got the dentist coming out to do my horses teeth on friday, and as he's my first, haven't actually done this before. However, at the livery I used to work at I held the horses for the dentist many a time, and I don't think they were ever sedated? (unless it's really mild and I didn't notice?)

But my dentist told my mum that it was 'standard practise', and that it's their policy to sedate all horses. My boy is generally very placid, and it's an extra £30, so if it's not necessary I'd rather not have it done, so is it general practise for all dentists or is it just this one particular dentist? :)
 
I think they probably mean its standard practice for them as there are plenty of equine dentists out there who can't sedate the horse. I have mare done by my vets as they have a free call out day but I do think they are very quick to sedate as the first time they came she literally swung her head once or twice and they decide to sedate!
 
I would only sedate a horse for a EDT if the horse was known to be difficult with the dentist, needed a tooth removing, or if the EDT needed to use power tools. All others are done with no sedation.
 
He's pretty much very laid back, the only time he can be difficult is when the scary horse eating leaves are out to get him ;)
He's been fine with everything so far, and his previous owners said he was great with the dentist. Might see if I can get a different dentist out! He's only having the routine annual rasping/checkup thingy.
 
But my dentist told my mum that it was 'standard practise', and that it's their policy to sedate all horses.
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imo get another dentist ........ if this one wont even try a horse without sedation then he is not much cop. I can understand it if horse gets very upset or needs a difficult treatment... but to do it to all horses :mad: :mad: :mad:

It is most certainly NOT standard practice to sedate horses generally even if it is this particular dentists.
 
My dentist sedated Ethel because I told him to. She's a pain in the arse to have anything done with her mouth, worming is a nightmare! We tried once before to have her done without sedation but she was rearing and threatening to go over with the gag between her teeth, not even opened up. I felt it was safer for everyone if she was sedated, although even that was a pain as she hates injections! The dentist came to work to do a load of horses, about 30 and I think only a couple were sedated, so agree it should depend on the horse.
 
Both my horses will stand without even being held for routine floating with power tools! However they are unusual! It is very very dangerous to have a horse flailing around with an oral speculum on. People can and have been killed by this. Therefore this is why some vets are keen to routinely sedate. I am concerned you say the dentist is coming and they are going to sedate the horse. I'm pretty sure only a vet is legally allowed to sedate a horse.
 
I would say not at all, maybe look at the EDT you are using. My lad is sedated because he is 7ft with his head in the air and can be head shy but my lass isn't, she simply doesn't need it. I have no idea why someone would sedate a horse who doesn't need it, with sedation comes risks, albeit small.

FDC
 
Definitely not!
There are some risks to sedation - ie colic etc, so IMO a horse shouldn't be sedated unless necessary.
I've got 2 horses, one stands like an angel with out sedation, but my other one has to be sedated.
 
When I bought pony we were told that she would need to be sedated for the dentist. So that's what I arranged and I haven't risked otherwise.

(The yard arranged to have her done with another who also needed sedation, so it did reduce the cost).
 
I'd get another dentist. My mare is a pain in the backside for the dentist but I recently found one who was willing to give it a try without sedation, with great success- his attitude was that it's healthier not to sedate too much long-term, and more importantly, that she wasn't going to learn to put up with it if she was knocked out every time.
Now I can understand a dentist insisting on sedation for horses like mine (on safety grounds), but if your boy is calm, I think it's excessive.
It also saves you 30 quid not to!
 
I've stood with 80 racehorses getting their teeth rasped this summer (it's been a LOOOONG summer!) and we sedated 10 of them. 4 for Dremil work as the vet won't do that without sedating them - very fair as it is a power tool after all. The other 6 were just knobs to put it nicely. They are all given a chance to stand qithout sedation but some do need it. I have a list of those so it's easier for the following year.

If your horse is quiet I would ask for it to be done without sedation as it isn't really compulsory.
 
oh forgot to say, it is a vet who is doing it, not an edt, so they are qualified to sedate, but im glad i checked on here, because after they said that i figured maybe i just hadn't noticed and it was standard? but M is really very chilled, he even lowers his head for me to put on his bridle or headcollar, most gentlemanly horse i've ever met haha! i'm sure he doesn't need it, and i could do with not losing £30 haha! :)
 
cm2581 said:
I am concerned you say the dentist is coming and they are going to sedate the horse. I'm pretty sure only a vet is legally allowed to sedate a horse.
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One of my first thoughts, too. :confused:

I've only ever had one horse sedated for the dentist (and we called the vet out to do that).
 
My guys are sedated for the safety of the dentist/vet and me as they both throw themselves around abit.

My old horse loved it he opened his mouth for the gag and laid his head on my shoulder and went to sleep whilst the vet did his teeth :D

Some like it, some tolerate it and others hate it but its a neccesity IMO :)
 
We have only ever had a horse sedated if it has needed major works ie power tools/tooth removal or is bad with the dentist etc for a routine check up we have NEVER had one sedated
 
A vet has to do any sedation necessary. I'd be looking at getting another EDT. My clippershy nutjob mare will have power float done without anyone holding her (I have video evidence if you care to see it) and so you can't always tell just by how they are generally. It goes the other way too, so you need an EDT with decent horse handling skills.
 
I recently had my new ex-racer done by a new dentist - he used power tools and my boy didn't need sedating. He said he would see how it went, if he couldn't do all he needed to we would have to make another appointment and have him sedated, but due to his patience and understanding this wasn't necessary.
 
I'd get a proper EDT insead of the vet, they are specific professionals for the job. Vets IMO are always quick to sedate as well. My horse is fine for the dentist hand rasp or power tools so no I don't think it is standard practice to sedate for an EDT :).
 
My vet is also an EDT - one of their board ... best of both worlds!
He will always give it a go without sedation. Last year my chap was fine. This year he reared twice (not scared, just being a knob!) and I agreed to sedate so a better job could be done + safety.
 
Actually the BAEDT vets DO strongly recommend that all horses are sedated for proper dental treatment. Those that teach dentistry say that it is rarely possible to do a 100% thorough job on an unsedated horse. And actually, I can understand that to an extent. A horse who s constantly moving their head, or occasionally mesing about WILL prevent the dentist from doing as good a job (and as efficient a job) as on a perfectly stationary horse. BUT, in my opinion less ismore in dentistry and the majority of horse will get by perfectly fine with just having enamel overgrowths removed which can usually be done quiet easily without sedation.
All vet BAEDTs recommend the use of sedation with power tools. Does the vet you are using routinely use power tools(many BAEDTs/vets do as they allow a greater degree o accuracy)?
 
shell1978 said:
Thats a new one on me! Sounds like he is ripping people off, especially if your horse doesnt need it!
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Totally agree with this statement, some horses need it to calm them down others dont, dont agree to sedation if you have a nice calm horse. 1 of mine needs sedating because he really is frightend, the other two dont need it, they take it all in their stride. Sometimes sedation is needed if a lot of work needs doing. Dont be bullied into extra costs.
 
glenruby said:
Actually the BAEDT vets DO strongly recommend that all horses are sedated for proper dental treatment. Those that teach dentistry say that it is rarely possible to do a 100% thorough job on an unsedated horse. And actually, I can understand that to an extent. A horse who s constantly moving their head, or occasionally mesing about WILL prevent the dentist from doing as good a job (and as efficient a job) as on a perfectly stationary horse. BUT, in my opinion less is more in dentistry and the majority of horse will get by perfectly fine with just having enamel overgrowths removed which can usually be done quiet easily without sedation.
All vet BAEDTs recommend the use of sedation with power tools. Does the vet you are using routinely use power tools(many BAEDTs/vets do as they allow a greater degree o accuracy)?
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Hear, hear on this point especially.
 
My twopence worth - both my lads are over 17hh and are always sedated for dental treatment. I am lucky in that my practice has a vet who loves and does nothing BUT dental treatment so she is eminently placed to do the work.

I'm v sceptical of 'dentists', the training course is not as long or rigorous as human dentists have to be.
They are dental technicians for a reason!!
If somebody is going to put metal implements into my horse's head I'd rather they spent 6 years at vet school being continually examined than anything like what the technician course amounts to.
 
charlimouse said:
I would only sedate a horse for a EDT if the horse was known to be difficult with the dentist, needed a tooth removing, or if the EDT needed to use power tools. All others are done with no sedation.
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^^^this^^^

My tb doesn't have any sedation but my idx is built like an ox and will tow you around, so he just has some sedalin beforehand to take the edge off!
 
None of mine are sedated and are done with an electric rasp! My dentist is very good though, and they are all used to it. They would only be sedated if they needed any work doing on their teeth apart from a general rasp. I do know some horses who hate having their teeth done and so do get sedated, but the majority are fine without sedation.
 
Frumpoon said:
My twopence worth - both my lads are over 17hh and are always sedated for dental treatment. I am lucky in that my practice has a vet who loves and does nothing BUT dental treatment so she is eminently placed to do the work.

I'm v sceptical of 'dentists', the training course is not as long or rigorous as human dentists have to be.
They are dental technicians for a reason!!
If somebody is going to put metal implements into my horse's head I'd rather they spent 6 years at vet school being continually examined than anything like what the technician course amounts to.
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Hahahahaha - sorry.
 
It can be a necessary precaution if the work has to be done in the open. A horse who gets loose with a gag in his mouth would not be my idea of fun (having a sleepless night and imagination running riot!:eek:). Just had my two done by vet in their field this afternoon!
 
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