Vets doing teeth

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Equi

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I will admit i always assumed that vets were okay doing teeth. My mind was changed when my old TB was having his yearly mot and the vet (the most highly regarded vet in the country) attempted to rasp his teeth with an old rasp and obviously it didn't work cause he just kept biting the rasp but the vet said he was fine anyway his teeth were okay.

I was having problems with him on the right rein so i was advised to get an equine dentist and i did. She told me that she was shocked and very surprised that he was not trying to kill me, his teeth were awful and the insides of his mouth had blisters and cuts from them. I of course felt awful, but it taught me about never ever using a vet for teeth!

Anyone else had this?
 
I use the vets for teeth because they have completed a professional veterinary course of which equine dentistry is part of it, unlike many equine dentists who have no formal qualifications at all.
 
I much prefer using EDT's.

I have used a vet as a stop gap when moving to a new area and waiting for an EDT, but other than a quick check and tidy, I wouldn't use a vet routinely. I certainly wouldn't let a vet sedate to rasp, it's not necessary with most horses.

However, wouldn't use an unqualified EDT any more than I'd use an unqualified farrier or physio.
 
I used to only use equine dentists, but the last time his teeth were done I used a very good vet and he did an amazing job . . . it's like anything really, some people are more skilled than others - despite labels/titles.

P
 
MerrySherryRider said:
I much prefer using EDT's.

I have used a vet as a stop gap when moving to a new area and waiting for an EDT, but other than a quick check and tidy, I wouldn't use a vet routinely. I certainly wouldn't let a vet sedate to rasp, it's not necessary with most horses.

However, wouldn't use an unqualified EDT any more than I'd use an unqualified farrier or physio.
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I know an EDT who sedates EVERY horse she sees . . . wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole

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PolarSkye said:
I know an EDT who sedates EVERY horse she sees . . . wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole

P
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They are not allowed to sedate, unless they are also a qualified vet.

I have used both vets and EDTs with varying results, most recently had a vet who is also a trained EDT with a real interest in dentistry come out to a tricky horse, he was super took loads of time with the horse and did a great job.
 
My new EDT will be one who is a vet and a dentist, i don't need sedation at all but she specialises in miniatures too and has miniature sized gags which is good.
 
Some vets also qualify as EDTs, others are interested in teeth particularly studying them. Others are more interested in other things or find teeth hard work so don't do such a good job.
 
Mine was originally a vet, now a BAEDT and very, very good. She has a wonderful way with the horses and adjusts her approach to how she anticipates they will react - I wouldn't use anyone else. She seems to be very intuitive with them.
 
I've used both.
Initially I used EDTs, but horse got more and more resistant. Then the EDT I was using got very unreliable, would make appointments and stand me up, so I spoke to my horse's vet and agreed that she would do the work that was needed. It was a bit complicated, not a straightforward floating - there was an area of the mouth that needed treatment but horse would stand fine for 90% of his mouth to be done, but as soon as EDT started to approach this problem area (cheek teeth near the back) he would get very upset. So vet gave me some Domosedan - I gave it 20 mins before she arrived and when she arrived horse was sleepy and cooperative. She did a great job, got the troublesome bit and was very thorough. I'll be using her in future :D

On the other hand, a different vet came out to a friend's horse, was unable to get the gag on properly, stuck hand in horse's mouth and declared it fine... only because horse was very resistant to being bitted did friend get an EDT out who was horrified at the overgrowths and lacerated cheeks

So really - I think it makes no difference who you get, so long as they're happy to work with teeth, have had adequate training and know when to refer on ;) The sedation is a non-event - if the EDT had come back I would still have used the Domosedan provided by the vet. Vets are happy to supply it when they know what it's for and when horse has regular health checks with them.
 
Always a qualified BAEDT - there is a full list of members on their web site so each to check who has what qualification.

I wouldn't use an unqualified dentist on my teeth so why would I on my horses, equally I wouldn't ask my GP to have a look at my teeth - yes plenty of years of medical school but v limited teeth knowledge.
If a vet was also BAEDT - all the better.

If sedation needed - a tube of domestin posted from your vets is the best of both world (no vet call out fee but perfect sedation)
 
I think I'd have to trailer a long way to get any dental surgery done though. A big disadvantage of living in the back of beyond! Luckily only needed sedation once so far!
 
I use an EDT, which annoys the hell out of the senior partner at my vet practice.

But after watching one of his more senior vets trying - very unsuccessfully - to rasp a friend's horse without a gag, I'm sticking with my qualified and extremely experienced EDT.
 
Sheep said:
Mine was originally a vet, now a BAEDT and very, very good. She has a wonderful way with the horses and adjusts her approach to how she anticipates they will react - I wouldn't use anyone else. She seems to be very intuitive with them.
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Yes, she is the same one i am talking about that does miniatures :)
 
I gave up on the vet as he ended up having to dope my boy so much he nearly fell over. Now use a fab guy and shy almost walks onto the rasp - no gag or drugs needed. North yorks if that helps.
 
My vets have a different vet for different specific specialities- obvs they can all do most of each, but if I were to call and say I wanted his teeth checked, they would send the one that specialises in dentistry :)
 
I use the vet at vaccination time and an EDT the other 6 month check. There is just one tooth at the back my horse does not enjoy to be seen to and the vet sedates and does this. The EDT sees to the other checkup, but cannot always do this one tooth. The EDT is qualified in America, and worked with a vet for some years before setting up on his own.
 
Will never have an equine dentist again after recommended one filed my 5yo's teeth down with an electric drill so that he could not eat and lost weight so quickly I had to take him to horsepital where x-rays shwoed the extent of the damage. As son as I said the dentist's name the vet knew what to look for. Have used a vet ever since with no problems. Said dentist was well qualified and even now I know people who use him regularly and think he is the bee's knees
 
After two very bad experiences with EDTs one of which left a beautiful horse maimed for the rest of her life , I will only let a vet who has done the dentistry training anywhere near my horses .
Anything complicated and I load them up and take them to a professor with a world renowned reputation at the nearest vet school .
I have learnt the hard way .
 
OWLIE185 said:
I use the vets for teeth because they have completed a professional veterinary course of which equine dentistry is part of it, unlike many equine dentists who have no formal qualifications at all.
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except a 'standard' vet will have done a grand total of 1-2 lectures on equine dentition. Personally the best would be a vet who is also a qualified EDT however from personal experience I would rather use a good, qualified EDT than a normal vet for teeth.
 
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