Sedating for dentist

Fransurrey

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 April 2004
Messages
6,503
Location
Surrey
Visit site
One of mine needs sedating. She's very nervous. As she's a pony, I got the vet a short stool to sit on, to allow her to get a better look/view. Previously we've rested her chin on my shoulder whilst the vet got on with it, or on the stable door. The other one is fine for examination without sedative and he never needs anything doing!
 

milliepops

Wears headscarf aggressively
Joined
26 July 2008
Messages
27,538
Visit site
My 2 ridden ones get sedation every time. Last time the vet came, I said the horse would need sedating, she said let's give it a go... and quickly came round to my way of thinking. Safer for everyone, I know my horses and I know what they will and won't cope with. Neither of these 2 had a particularly optimal start in life. The WB looks Ok until she's really really not. And the welsh just wipes everyone out without fail, she is a tank, and a tank with a metal head dress is no fun to encounter. Millie is manageable unsedated with a bit of careful positioning of her bum into a corner, essential because she had some nasty reactions to sedation.

The dental specialist from my practice comes with a big padded head rest that they can prop under a sedated horse's head ;) I have no issues with sedating for dental work when necessary and see little point in putting either of mine through any extra stress when they can be spared all that, it's quick and simple this way.
 

Goldenstar

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 March 2011
Messages
46,016
Visit site
Professor Dixon and theres no one better for teeth always sedates because it’s possible to do more work at the back of the horses mouth when it’s sedated .
If it’s good enough for him that’s what I prefer .
 

planete

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 May 2010
Messages
3,223
Location
New Forest
Visit site
My vet is a qualified EDT and sedates lightly enough that, by the time he finishes, the horse is coming out of his stupor. Having seen my horse who was 99% good to rasp even with power tools throw his head up with a large rasp in his mouth when unsedated and knowing how much damage he could do to himself or to the operator there is no way I would want to risk it now.
 

molar roller

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2017
Messages
64
Visit site
if some one ask to you ''what kind of tyres are better ? all season, winter, All Terrain or summer?'
definitely your reply is ''it depends on the weather and road conditions''
no one wants to use noisy tyres but if you need all terrain type, you must use them.
Main point is the horse. sedated or unsedated, hand tools or power tools. these are not personel choices, always depend on the horse. if a dental practitioner says ''I always use sedation / I never use sedation / I use just hand tools because that is enough for all horses on the earth / I use power tools for all horses'' I think he/she is wrong!
your previous practitioner never use sedation and may use just hand tools but the next one check the mouth and may ask sedation also work with power tools. that is possible do not be suprised. maybe he/she finds new thing.

a simple checklist for EDT:
- is the horse nervous / calm
- manner with 3rd parts? with dentist, farrier?
- he/she likes me?
- can I put gag ? (maybe 2 and a half years old purearabian racehorse , still green, and never use a bit so gag is worrying for him)
- after putting gag can I check with light and can I check with my hands? still calm?
- did I find a big problem to fix it I must use a power tool?
- any previous dental records ? did previous dental practitioner use sedation, what kind of and dose?
- age...
- pregnancy

and a lot of more questions….

by the way definitely if tooth ext. necessary sedation recommended.
 

oldie48

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 April 2013
Messages
7,027
Location
South Worcestershire
Visit site
I use one of two vets at my local practice who specialise in teeth and I am fine with them giving sedation, usually quite light. Most of my horses except one have been OKish to have theirs done without sedation but frankly I prefer my vet to take as little risk as possible, they get enough injuries in the course of their careers as it is and I think they do a better, quicker job. The first time I used the vet he got me to check the very back of the horses mouth before he started work. I was horrified, despite regular treatment by a respected EDT, they were a mess.
 

fankino04

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 November 2010
Messages
2,781
Location
Wiltshire
Visit site
Mine has always been a pita for the dentist so the last time as she was being done in the field I gave her some sedalin that a friend hadn't used for clipping hers but I don't think it really took by the time the dentist arrived. It was a new EDT we used and I told him she had had sedelin but not seeming like it had took and she has a history of being very bolshy and bargy with the dentist, he said he prefers them not sedated as they can be extremely unpredictable if they start coming out of it while he is still working. He was lovely and patient with her and allowed her some breaks and she was really good for him.
 

hellfire

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 July 2014
Messages
339
Location
Devon
Visit site
Forget sedation. Only ever use a equine dentist too. I struggled for years with the vet and sedation then heard of a man called Bill Lomez. He is like a god! I cried the first time he came out at how relaxed Sparky was! My lad was neglected as a youngster and I'd struggled with vets Abd just as he started getting used to it we had a traumatic experience with a vet taking 4 hours to get his wolf teeth out!! Traumatic for me and the horses. Bill does not believe in sedation and if you get a good dentist like him it's rarely needed. All 4 of mine and myself adore him and are so relaxed they rest a back foot the whole time!!! Considering Sparky used to need enough sedation to knock out a elephant go with your equine dentist let your horse check him and the tools out and take it slow.
 

Pinkvboots

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 August 2010
Messages
21,348
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
Mine are both ok with the dentist but they do fidget a bit, so for an easier life I give them 4 or 5 mls of sedalin it just makes them keep still and a bit quieter.
 

minesadouble

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 June 2005
Messages
2,941
Visit site
Only one of ours does not require sedation for proper dental work and there are more reasons than one for sedating. One of ours has a small ‘tight’ jaw and needs sedating because it’s uncomfortable for him to have his mouth held wide open.

What is of vital importance is to only ever use an EDT who is fully qualified. Believe me we have learned this from BITTER experience after using an EDT apparently qualified in another country who is massively popular across the UK.
Please please if you use an EDT check he/she is on this list;-

http://www.baedt.com/?c=5432
 

scats

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 September 2007
Messages
10,429
Location
Wherever it is I’ll be limping
Visit site
I’ve never had to sedate anything for the dentist in 30years. I’ve had some very nervous ponies, but must have been lucky with regards them accepting the process quite well. Trickiest we had was an 11.2 section A... he was like Satan in a cute costume!
 

Cortez

Tough but Fair
Joined
17 January 2009
Messages
15,148
Location
Ireland
Visit site
I’ve never had to sedate anything for the dentist in 30years. I’ve had some very nervous ponies, but must have been lucky with regards them accepting the process quite well. Trickiest we had was an 11.2 section A... he was like Satan in a cute costume!

Satan wears the best costumes....:)
 
Top