tooth extraction

[Sandstone1]

Any one with any experience of having a horse that needs a tooth extracted?

Do they have to be sedated or is local anesthetic used. does it take long etc.I have a horse who the dentist says may need some teeth removed at some point as there are a couple loose through old age.

 

[amandap]

My sister has a mare who needed two extractions.Both were done under sedation and standing not fully out.

 

[Sandstone1]

Thanks, Do they recover quite quickly?

 

[miss_bird]

My old mare had a large tooth removed under sedation not fully out, she was 22 at the time and she recovered very quickly

 

[Sandstone1]

Thank you, just a bit worried about it.

 

[amandap]

Suzie recovered quite quickly one quicker than the other but there were no problems.

 

[Quartz]

My horse had two wolf teeth out, with no sedation. He was fine, although I was slightly worried as the first tooth took 20 minutes of twisting and pulling!! He was fine during and fine after.

 

[Holly Hocks]

If the teeth are already coming loose it shouldn't be problem. It's when the tooth is still secure in the gum that it is problematic. My 8 year old mare recently had a tooth removed - the vet fractured the crown under sedation and she had to be taken for a general anaesthetic and it had to be removed via a hole in the side of her face, known as repulsion. She then got a number of infections and has only recently come home after two months in hospital. However as already said, if the teeth are loose it shouldnt be a problem. It also depends where in the mouth the teeth are which need to be extracted. The further back in the mouth the teeth are, the harder it is to extract them....my mare's was quite near the back which made it even more problematic! Typical TB - always has to make a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Sandstone1]

Thanks, the teeth all ready loose due to age (20ish) Shes eating hard food ok but struggles a bit with hay. Dentist said thy may come out by themselves, but if thy cause probs may have to come out.

 

[Sandstone1]

Is it best to get vet to do or dentist. maybe have to be both if sedation needed?

 

[Louby]

I had the same problems as Rebelzmum, my hors was 4 yr old and it was his 3rd cheek molar. Tried under sedation but it broke off so he had a GA but an older horse came in the following week and had teeth removed no problem. I also know of a hors that had both front teeth removed under sedation with no problems at all. Try not to worry, Im sure as your horse is older and the teeth are loose, it should be straight forward.

 

[amandap]

Is it best to get vet to do or dentist. maybe have to be both if sedation needed?

You need a vet as you say for sedation and I've always used dentists for tooth problems but I believe some vets are happy to do extractions. Have a chat with your vet about the best way to go.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

If your horse is a geriatric and has digitally (movable with finger pressure) loose expired (come to the end of their life) teeth then they can usually be removed quickly and efficiently by the EDT without sedation. Some teeth are so wobbly they can be pulled out with fingers.

Horses and ponies are usually quite happy for you to do this and personally I would rather not sedate (by a vet) a geriatric unless it is absolutely necessary. Wobbly teeth are more of an irritant to them than they are painful!

 

[Sandstone1]

Thanks a lot for the replys.