Tooth extraction

[Bobthecob15]

Hi all, we had a dentist out today to do a routine rasp of our new ponies teeth. He was an absolute angel but unfortunately has an infected tooth which she said needs to be removed (it sounds quite extensive).

Unfortunately for us our insurance policy does not cover dental (lesson learnt here!!)...she is referring us to a equine dental hospital about an hour away for the procedure but I saw online that some people have had this done at home? Should I get another opinion before taking the pony up there? It's an equine vet that does teeth at the hospital (the dentist was not a vet). The pony has shown no signs of any issues other than an occasional lifting of his head when my daughter rides him (she's 7, she could be yanking his mouth a bit) so we are planning on continuing to work him till the tooth is sorted.

Just not sure whether to book him in there or get another opinion? The tooth was apparently open/exposed as the infection is quite pronounced. He was 5 stage vetted in January but I'm not sure how hard they looked at his teeth. Thanks

 

[paddy555]

I am fortunate as my vet is also dental trained so he does my teeth as well,

He removed one that was causing a problem at home with no problems and told me another (incisor) which has the potential to cause problems could be removed at home if it became necessary.

If the infection is quite pronounced I would be asking a vet to look at asap. Maybe anti biotics will be needed. Try ringing your vet practice to see if any do teeth and if so request a visit asap. If they don't ask their advice.

I'm afraid I wouldn't be riding in this situation until it had been removed. You have no idea how much pain the pony is stoically putting up with. He could be lifting his head because he is in pain.

 

[meleeka]

My vets have someone come to the practice who’s a dental specialist. The vets do do routine dental work but they ask owners to take the horses for extractions (when tooth isn’t loose). I think it could be done at home, but they must think it better that a specialist does it.

EDT’s aren’t allowed to extract teeth, probably as they can’t use anaesthetic.

 

[windand rain]

Local anaesthetic is used and usually fairly heavy sedation Hazel had an extraction and a couple of fillings 18 months ago at a speciaist dentist it wasn't cheap but so pleased I went (wasn't going to as most people thought at 24 it was a waste of time) but she had a drainning tooth infection which must have been painful but at no time would you suspect she had a sore mouth

 

[V&F]

Last year my pony had to go to the vets to have 2 x fractured/infected canines removed

The EDT noticed it first, I then had the dental expert from my vets come check it out and X-ray. The canines were too difficult to remove at home so had to be done at there practice, took a good few hours as the roots of the teeth had disintegrated.

I didn’t ride him until it was all resolved, also took a few weeks after to heal. Luckily insurance covered it as it was well over £2K!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thank you, the EDT apparently has to speak to our vet first anyway to get the referral done so I will speak to them on Monday and see if they also need to see him. I asked about riding him and she said he would be fine to ride unless he started tossing his head etc which he hasn't done as such yet..she said the place that extracts teeth is quite busy so could be late April before they can do it. She did mention about him having time off after too.

Thanks I'll speak to our vet ASAP and see what they recommend.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Teeth close to the front of mouth can be removed at home..but it can be a prolonged and bloody experience. At the horspital there is extra help and equipment which is useful if the tooth is further back in the mouth. I’ve had horses in both situations and honestly I’d prefer the horspital. I personally wouldn’t be riding with a bit until it’s been fixed ..and there would be a period of recuperation after extraction to allow for healing and bruising to subside. I actually wish I hadn’t claimed on my insurance as it wasn’t thousands I envisaged (under 600 at the time) And mouth is excluded now.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Teeth close to the front of mouth can be removed at home..but it can be a prolonged and bloody experience. At the horspital there is extra help and equipment which is useful if the tooth is further back in the mouth. I’ve had horses in both situations and honestly I’d prefer the horspital. I personally wouldn’t be riding with a bit until it’s been fixed ..and there would be a period of recuperation after extraction to allow for healing and bruising to subside. I actually wish I hadn’t claimed on my insurance as it wasn’t thousands I envisaged (under 600 at the time) And mouth is excluded now.

OK thank you, it's not near where the bit goes, it's right at the back of his mouth. But appreciate he may be in pain but isn't showing signs of it. I'll speak to the vet Monday and get their advice.

I know I'm kicking myself I didn't check re dental cover.. im expecting it to be costly! The hospital website quotes 300-1500 depending on complexity plus I'm sure they will charge for xrays, stabling costs while he is there etc x

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister's mare had to have an upper molar removed. She was only 4 so it was a big job. They had to go in through her face and knock it out. It took several hours and she had a drain in her face for a while that had to be flushed out daily. One of mine had a tooth taken out when she was in her teens but that was already lifting out of the gum and just needed pulling.

 

[Zuzzie]

My 17hh gelding had a tooth removed at our vet practice. He was put under sedation and had the tooth removed whilst standing. He remained at the practice for about 3 days and then allowed home. The tooth had caused a sinus infection (before being removed). The infection was treated with antibiotics which didn't really work so they took some swabs and found another antibiotic to try. However, he still had this horrible, stinky snot coming down his nose so they said that they may go into the sinus through the front of his face under his eye, to flush out the sinus cavity. I refused this and decided to turn him out 24/7 on grass. Having his head down eating grass drained his nose and the infection cleared up. The actual tooth removal was successful and he coped quite well.
I would enquire how much the dental hospital is going to charge for the removal of the tooth and then take into account the cost of transport etc. You should then ask your local vet practice what they would charge as I suspect it will be a lot cheaper.

 

[windand rain]

I paid £1200 for a dental extraction and two fillings all done in an hour and an hours wait for the sedative to wear off good value for money and very professionally done by a vet dental specialist at a local ish venue

 

[Gloi]

As the horse is quite young I would be taking her to the place best equipped to deal with it. A rear molar in a young horse isn't an easy job. If it was an elderly horse with a loose tooth I would get that done at home but in this case I think it's worth paying for the best care.
I would also want an x-ray before any extraction was considered.

 

[Goldenstar]

A molar in a young horse is a big procedure you need to take him to a specialist centre.

 

[poiuytrewq]

https://equinedentalclinic.co.uk/
You really want to speak to these guys. They are amazing and travel all over the country to do days at different vets.
They are not even expensive comparatively because they are so clued up and good at what they do it’s a faster easier procedure.
Honestly can’t rate them enough.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Sorry for the confusion he's not young, he's 15! ? ringing the vet on Monday x

 

[Gloi]

Sorry for the confusion he's not young, he's 15! ? ringing the vet on Monday x

Ah, got mixed up when you said she's 7 I was thinking the horse not the daughter.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Update. I've still not had the details of what the issue is with the ponies teeth, the EDT says she's emailed it twice but I've had nothing. She also referred to the equine dental place an hour away who I did manage to speak to and after a lot of chasing he found out from her its tooth 109 (molar on the right top) that it's an open pulp horn. Basically sounds like a cavity that might respond ok with a filling but it depends if there is infection there or not. Only way to tell is an xray....then possibly long surgery as they often break when they are removed. It sounded complicated.

I've spoken to my vet practice and they were also going to chase the EDT (she's clearly elusive as she hadnt contacted them as she said she would!!) and see what they can find out but I'm going to have them come see the pony themselves ASAP and see if they thinks it needs surgery etc...and possibly get them to do xrays...they are local and they do dental surgery there. If I'm honest it feels like the EDT is just referring to this specialist guy because she doesn't know what it is and she sends all her clients with anything she cant deal with to him...her account of what she saw keeps changing (she is communicating via text not email or phone!) And she's a trainee to boot. I couldn't get hold of the vet himself today to discuss but that's my plan for tomorrow.

I've no issue with him going to a specialist hospital but I'm really less convinced today that this is as bad as she led me to believe... Fingers crossed ?

 

[windand rain]

https://equinedentalclinic.co.uk/
You really want to speak to these guys. They are amazing and travel all over the country to do days at different vets.
They are not even expensive comparatively because they are so clued up and good at what they do it’s a faster easier procedure.
Honestly can’t rate them enough.

This is who did Hazel

 

[Bobthecob15]

This is who did Hazel

Thanks its about 5hrs away from us so not ideal!! The one an hour away from us said up to around £1500 for that type of extraction so I've got a rough idea for the surgery (if it became a more complicated surgery he said he wouldn't charge more than £1500). Of course that doesn't include xrays etc!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks its about 5hrs away from us so not ideal!! The one an hour away from us said up to around £1500 for that type of extraction so I've got a rough idea for the surgery (if it became a more complicated surgery he said he wouldn't charge more than £1500). Of course that doesn't include xrays etc!

They are a long long way from me too. They do days all over the UK though. You may find they come somewhere more local.

 

[Bobthecob15]

They are a long long way from me too. They do days all over the UK though. You may find they come somewhere more local.

Will see what the 2nd opinion from our vets is before looking further afield. That one I spoke to today can't see us till the end of April for the assessment only as it needs xrays etc... then we'd have to go back again for the extraction.

 

[Gloi]

Definitely x ray at the vets and get their opinion. The EDT can't know what is happening inside the tooth. Hopefully it will be an easy fix

 

[Bobthecob15]

Definitely x ray at the vets and get their opinion. The EDT can't know what is happening inside the tooth. Hopefully it will be an easy fix

I'm hoping so! After doing a bit of research online (dare I say it!!) it seems a very common thing to see in 15yr old horses teeth the pulp exposure, hopefully it's not infected x

 

[Zuzzie]

I agree with Gloi, especially as the EDT appears to be a trainee.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi all, we had a dentist out today to do a routine rasp of our new ponies teeth. He was an absolute angel but unfortunately has an infected tooth which she said needs to be removed (it sounds quite extensive).

Unfortunately for us our insurance policy does not cover dental (lesson learnt here!!)...she is referring us to a equine dental hospital about an hour away for the procedure but I saw online that some people have had this done at home? Should I get another opinion before taking the pony up there? It's an equine vet that does teeth at the hospital (the dentist was not a vet). The pony has shown no signs of any issues other than an occasional lifting of his head when my daughter rides him (she's 7, she could be yanking his mouth a bit) so we are planning on continuing to work him till the tooth is sorted.

Just not sure whether to book him in there or get another opinion? The tooth was apparently open/exposed as the infection is quite pronounced. He was 5 stage vetted in January but I'm not sure how hard they looked at his teeth. Thanks

I'm afraid I'm with others that say to lay off riding for now.
Horses can be incredibly stoic when it comes to their teeth, my EDT told me when mine had a slab fracture of an upper tooth. You'd never have known there was a problem, so very lucky I listened to the horse whisperer as she'd only had the dentist out three months before.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks all, our vet can't make it till Thursday so will see what he says when he has a good look then ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Update for anyone interested....the vet came today (actually 2 vets as he had a colleague with him) and they had a good look in his mouth, with a bit of sedation...they were prepared to xray his mouth there and then if needed. However, pleased to report there was nothing of note other than normal wear and tear, a small area of exposed pulp but minimal...and absolutely no sign of infection or anything to warrant further xrays or investigations. The EDT the vet says has been doing this a lot and finding issues that are actually not issues, he said to let him know if anything changes but for now just leave it. Relief!!

 

[paddy555]

Update for anyone interested....the vet came today (actually 2 vets as he had a colleague with him) and they had a good look in his mouth, with a bit of sedation...they were prepared to xray his mouth there and then if needed. However, pleased to report there was nothing of note other than normal wear and tear, a small area of exposed pulp but minimal...and absolutely no sign of infection or anything to warrant further xrays or investigations. The EDT the vet says has been doing this a lot and finding issues that are actually not issues, he said to let him know if anything changes but for now just leave it. Relief!!

I'm glad your horse is OK but I would be concerned that this EDT has put you (and possibly others) through a lot of worry and vet expenditure getting this checked out. Surely they should be able to recognise what they are looking at.
If it was me I would be going back to the EDT to discuss. If she is a trainee then I would be looking to her trainer and bringing this to their attention.

 

[Gloi]

Yes. I agree with Paddy. Do you know any more about where she is doing her training? It doesn't sound as if she should be out working by herself.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I'm not sure to be honest but the vet was aware of her. She's since passed her exams this week by the sounds of it. I won't be using her again and will stick to our vet to do his annual rasp x