Tooth abcess

Dogstar

Dogstar

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Is it correct, that a tooth abcess in an elderly horse may mean it has to be PTS., as it's a major op to remove an otherwise sound tooth? I am asking as my 19 year old hunter is currently on antibiotic jabs for a swollen face- which I am hoping is 'just' an infected cut from a sharp tooth (yes, they are filed annually) BUT if it doesn't go down, the vet said it could mean it's an abcess so I am worried...I wouldn't want to put her through an op. I THINK its going down but still a little concerned. Thanks
 
My old horse Simon had a molar removed when he was about 17 yrs old. He had a general and it was removed through the jaw. He recovered well and was eating within hours of surgery. He lived to 25yrs. There is no reason and elderly horse cant go through a general. I do understand there are certain times when this wouldnt be an option but for tooth surgery i wouldnt hesitate if the vet things there would be a good recovery rate.
 
That's really interesting thanks, good to hear your chap recovered well. I forgot to mention that Lucy also has bad melanomas (neck and dock) so not sure if that would be another complication...thanks
 
My big warmblood had a tooth removed 2 years ago when he was 20. It was done under sedation and he had to stay at the vets for 3 days whilst they kept him under observation. He was on antibiotics for a while which I had to give by injection because he will not eat any form of powdered medicine no matter how much you disguise it. Unfortunately, he was left with a sinus infection which didnt bother him much except that he had horrible smelly mucous coming out of one nostril. He was treated for this with antibiotics for some time but it persisted. I was told that if it didnt clear up then he would have to have surgery (drilling a hole thru the bone under his eye) to clean the sinus out. As I was going away for a month, I turned him out on grass where he had his head down all day long draining the nose. Got back and found the infection had gone thank goodness so he never needed the op. He is 22 now and looks brilliant.
 
My boy is about 19 and has had a cheek tooth removed recently. This started with an abcess under the tooth and we tried antibiotics but unfortunately that didnt cure it.
The vet did tell me that he may have to go in through his face but thankfully they managed to do it through his mouth with standing sedation.
He is now back to competing and enjoying life again.
Hope all goes well.
 
Many thanks for your helpful comments. Lucy has been on antibiotics for a week now and the swelling is down 80/90%, you wouldn't notice anything if you weren't looking out for it; she is obviously feeling well again and looks to be back to eating normally. She has another couple of days of antibiotics to go, so I am hopeful -but not quite sure -we are out of the woods yet..
 
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