What would you think about this phone call from my vet

Kezzabell2

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I had the vet out last week to check over Sam's teeth! Its been 9 months since he last had them done and they said that there wasn't any sharp bits, so gave him a routine rasp, I was very happy with the service, the vet was showing me in side his mouth and what he was doing etc.

He said that there were 3 teeth that were a bit brown, which is what he'd expect to see either when they were losing the caps or the teeth were rotten, so he checked what he was fed on and was not concerned about that.

He has just called me to say that he'd been speaking to the senior vet at the practice and he said that because Sam is 6 they are unlikely to be caps, so they've offered to send the other vet out to give a 2nd opinion - and they will do this at a discounted rate!!! now that's where its got me, would you expect to pay for this? When I booked my appointment, I expected to have the correct job done the first time?
 

zaminda

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I would not be happy to pay when that was the reason for the visit. If it was an add on and the guy wasn't experienced with teeth then maybe but when you had them out specifically for that I would be unhappy and wouldn't pay. I use a vet who specialises in teeth and this is one of the reasons why.
 

serenityjane

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Think I would be grateful that the vet who came to do a routine dental was vigilant enough to express concerns to a more experienced colleague - better than just leaving it surely? and I would treat it as a referral at a discounted rate! My horse has just been through similar-routine vet referred her to a specialist who then referred her to an even more specialist vet for a dental problem. They all needed paying.
 

Kezzabell2

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Think I would be grateful that the vet who came to do a routine dental was vigilant enough to express concerns to a more experienced colleague - better than just leaving it surely? and I would treat it as a referral at a discounted rate! My horse has just been through similar-routine vet referred her to a specialist who then referred her to an even more specialist vet for a dental problem. They all needed paying.

I suppose I could look at it like that, very true! thanks for the slap!

what was wrong with your horses teeth?
 

paddi22

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i never trust vets to do teeth, i don't think they study it intensively enough in their training. I wouldn;t go to the doctor to get my teeth done, so i don't go to the vets for my horses teeth
 

Kezzabell2

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i never trust vets to do teeth, i don't think they study it intensively enough in their training. I wouldn;t go to the doctor to get my teeth done, so i don't go to the vets for my horses teeth

All of the vets at this surgery had previously done a dental qualification too, but this is a new vet, so I assume that he hasn't done it!! I just assumed that any new vets would have also done the training.
 

paddi22

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They do it as part of their training but i'd prefer someone who has completely specialised in it. Had a few scenarios when getting new horses where the vet has said teeth are fine and just needed a rasp, horse feels odd in contact and then dentist discovers other issues when called in. I just don't bother getting vets to look at teeth, had too many missed issues over the years
 

cobgoblin

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If there weren't any sharp edges, why did he need rasping? Does he have some underlying tooth conformation problem?

And no, I wouldn't expect to pay for a return visit.
 

Kezzabell2

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If there weren't any sharp edges, why did he need rasping? Does he have some underlying tooth conformation problem?

And no, I wouldn't expect to pay for a return visit.

Because I'm really OTT with his horse, he doesn't have any issues that I know about but he does have other bone issues, so any signs of any unusual behaviour, I have the vet out straight away!! I called them because he's started chucking his head about when going into canter, so the vet wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything he was missing with his eye!
 

tallyho!

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i never trust vets to do teeth, i don't think they study it intensively enough in their training. I wouldn;t go to the doctor to get my teeth done, so i don't go to the vets for my horses teeth

I'm with you paddi. Would never have a vet do my horses teeth. Dentist every time.
 

Kezzabell2

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They do it as part of their training but i'd prefer someone who has completely specialised in it. Had a few scenarios when getting new horses where the vet has said teeth are fine and just needed a rasp, horse feels odd in contact and then dentist discovers other issues when called in. I just don't bother getting vets to look at teeth, had too many missed issues over the years

The owner of the surgery and my previous vet did specialise too, they have done more than just the standard training!

The problem is, I've heard so many horror stories about equine dentists, how do you now who is any good and who isn't!! especially if you're horse doesn't have any specific problems, you don't know whether they are any good or not!!

I think I will speak to the owner of the surgery and see if he can come out, he's known Sam since he was 18 months old, and is the one that's finally got him sound by removing his shoes! so I trust him the most
 

tallyho!

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The owner of the surgery and my previous vet did specialise too, they have done more than just the standard training!

The problem is, I've heard so many horror stories about equine dentists, how do you now who is any good and who isn't!! especially if you're horse doesn't have any specific problems, you don't know whether they are any good or not!!

I think I will speak to the owner of the surgery and see if he can come out, he's known Sam since he was 18 months old, and is the one that's finally got him sound by removing his shoes! so I trust him the most

The only way to know is if they are registered to BAEDT. They are required to re-exam every two years.

I too have heard horror stories and most likely they were not registered, or they were struck off. Not saying you wouldn't check kezzabel but lots of people do not.

I had a situation where the vet asked for the papers of my dentist for sedation and of course there was one but he then said how many don't have them! It was quite shocking.

The vet you are going to call out is a specialist so i would go with him, it's worth it in case there is a problem.

I guess my post was more of an info for anyone to find a registered dentist.

Good luck with your boy by the way, hope it turns out to be something easy to sort.
 

Kezzabell2

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The only way to know is if they are registered to BAEDT. They are required to re-exam every two years.

I too have heard horror stories and most likely they were not registered, or they were struck off. Not saying you wouldn't check kezzabel but lots of people do not.

I had a situation where the vet asked for the papers of my dentist for sedation and of course there was one but he then said how many don't have them! It was quite shocking.

The vet you are going to call out is a specialist so i would go with him, it's worth it in case there is a problem.

I guess my post was more of an info for anyone to find a registered dentist.

Good luck with your boy by the way, hope it turns out to be something easy to sort.

Yes when you have a super sensitive horse, you have to be very careful, so I'd never want to use someone who wasn't fully qualified! the only reason I had a different vet this time, was because the main guy has hurt his back!! actually Sam was much better the following day, he went really well in the school, which is rather unlike him and he was fine hacking over the weekend, so I doubt there is an issue! but I do worry when they want someone else to look at him! He's had enough rubbish in his little life, he doesn't need bad teeth too :)
 

ycbm

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I had the vet out last week to check over Sam's teeth! Its been 9 months since he last had them done and they said that there wasn't any sharp bits, so gave him a routine rasp, I was very happy with the service, the vet was showing me in side his mouth and what he was doing etc.

He said that there were 3 teeth that were a bit brown, which is what he'd expect to see either when they were losing the caps or the teeth were rotten, so he checked what he was fed on and was not concerned about that.

He has just called me to say that he'd been speaking to the senior vet at the practice and he said that because Sam is 6 they are unlikely to be caps, so they've offered to send the other vet out to give a 2nd opinion - and they will do this at a discounted rate!!! now that's where its got me, would you expect to pay for this? When I booked my appointment, I expected to have the correct job done the first time?

If you booked a routine float and the second vet is a dental expert, then ok.

If you booked a full dental service or the second vet is not a dental expert, just a more knowledgeable ordinary dentist, then not ok.
 

Goldenstar

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They do it as part of their training but i'd prefer someone who has completely specialised in it. Had a few scenarios when getting new horses where the vet has said teeth are fine and just needed a rasp, horse feels odd in contact and then dentist discovers other issues when called in. I just don't bother getting vets to look at teeth, had too many missed issues over the years

My experiance is the complete opposite the vets I use are all very very experienced and qualified to teeth including extractions fillings etc etc .
I had two bad experiences with EDT and one was horrific and left the horse maimed for life .
OP I think I would be pleased if I were you it's a good thing he was confident enough to ask a colleague , it shows a good practice with a healthy relationship between the vets .
I would not have a an inexperianced vet at my horses teeth so I think in future if I were you I would name the vet you want to the dental .
For now I think I would take up their offer .
 

PorkChop

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Its a difficult one, bottom line is I would pay, thankful that they had enough sense to speak to another Vet about it.

Thing is, a qualification doesn't necessarily mean they will do a brilliant job, whether it be a Vet or a qualified Equine Dentist. I have come across duff ones in both!
 

Kezzabell2

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My experiance is the complete opposite the vets I use are all very very experienced and qualified to teeth including extractions fillings etc etc .
I had two bad experiences with EDT and one was horrific and left the horse maimed for life .
OP I think I would be pleased if I were you it's a good thing he was confident enough to ask a colleague , it shows a good practice with a healthy relationship between the vets .
I would not have a an inexperianced vet at my horses teeth so I think in future if I were you I would name the vet you want to the dental .
For now I think I would take up their offer .

This is very true, thank you! I knew I'd get some good points from you all on here! :)
 

tallyho!

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Yes when you have a super sensitive horse, you have to be very careful, so I'd never want to use someone who wasn't fully qualified! the only reason I had a different vet this time, was because the main guy has hurt his back!! actually Sam was much better the following day, he went really well in the school, which is rather unlike him and he was fine hacking over the weekend, so I doubt there is an issue! but I do worry when they want someone else to look at him! He's had enough rubbish in his little life, he doesn't need bad teeth too :)

The scary thing is, there are people out there with so few scruples - you have to be so careful nowadays.

Glad he's feeling better and going well. Good luck for when the vet comes! :)
 

Micropony

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Think I would be grateful that the vet who came to do a routine dental was vigilant enough to express concerns to a more experienced colleague - better than just leaving it surely? and I would treat it as a referral at a discounted rate! My horse has just been through similar-routine vet referred her to a specialist who then referred her to an even more specialist vet for a dental problem. They all needed paying.

I agree with this.

I also think the answer to the question 'are EDTs better than vets' depends on where you live. Some areas are blessed with many more good EDTs than others, and in those areas I suspect not many vets get enough experience doing teeth to become really expert. In other areas there are fewer good EDTs and it makes much more sense for an equine vet practice to invest in specialist training and equipment.
 

Kaylum

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We are lucky our vets are qualified EDTs and can sedate so can see exactly what they need to and can get right to the back.
 

chaps89

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If you want a baedt recommendation for future I can highly recommend Greg Wood who is Hampshire based I believe and travels all over the south
 

meleeka

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If you want a baedt recommendation for future I can highly recommend Greg Wood who is Hampshire based I believe and travels all over the south

Echo this. He's a miracle worker imo.

I wouldn't expect to pay again for the same service. It's not as if you were made aware you were getting a less experienced vet and billed accordingly. Very nice of him to check though, but that just means he had to check he'd done his job properly.
 

sunnyone

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Very nice of him to check though, but that just means he had to check he'd done his job properly.

I personally hate paying newly qualified vets to gain experience from looking at my animals, and having to pay them for the prvilege. I have been known to speak to the senior vet about such matters e.g. new vet missed retained afterbirth BUT in this case we don't know, and probably won't find out, how the conversation between the two vets started, or why.
I'd let the second chap come and then see whether you should seek a refund because the newly qualified one missed something.
In the meanwhile support his interest in your horse's well being. Too many vets only want to do small animals these days.
 
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