How often should horse teeth be checked?
- At least once yearly, but every 6 months for horses with abnormalities.
Is sedation always needed for oral examinations on horses?
- It is not always needed for a simple exam if the horse allows it and is well behaved but it is needed for dental procedures.
How many deciduous teeth does a horse have?
24 deciduous teeth.
How many permanent teeth does a horse have?
36 - 44 teeth.
Why is there variation in the amount of teeth a horse has?
- Some horses will have wolf teeth (not all)
- Canine teeth are rare in a mare. (female)
Why are wolf teeth often removed?
They are in the “Bite” area, so it can easily be fractured during riding.
Where is the wolf tooth located on a horse?
In the maxillary area, rostral to the k9
What does a “blind wolf tooth” mean?
When the tooth hasn’t erupted and is painful when it comes in contact with the bit during placement/removal.
What is a deciduous tooth called?
Caps
Define “shear mouth”
Caused by dental diseases or diets with too little forage, it creates an angle on the teeth named shear mouth.
How can we get an approximate age of a horse based on its teeth?
Cups= center of the tooth. slowly disappears by 8 yrs old.
Star= Pulp cavity of tooth, appears at 8 yrs old and grows larger as horse ages.
What are symptoms of dental issues on a horse?
- Weightless
- Unwilling to accept bridle
- Dropping food “Quidding”
- Smell
Define mandibular brachygnathism
Parrot mouth (lower jaw is shorter then upper jaw)
What does floating mean?
Mechanical adjustment of occlusal surfaces (Removes raised areas)
How often should a horse have their feet trimmed?
Every 5-8 weeks.
At what age should a horse have all permanent teeth?
5 yrs old or 8yr old
What are the deciding factors of a horses vaccine protocol?
-Risk of infection
-Consequence of disease
-Effectiveness of available vaccines
-Potential for adverse reactions
-Cost of vaccines vs the potential cost of disease.
List the core vaccines?
-Eastern and western encephalitis
-Rabies
-Tetanus
-West Nile virus
Name the most important and best studied large strongyle?
Strongylus vulgaris (bloodworm)
Common signs of parasites in horses. (5)
-Weight loss
-Dry and rough hair
-Poor appetite
-Bowel problems/colic
-Anemia
What diet can cause a horse to develop dental abnormalities?
Diets high in concentrate and low in fiber
Name common dental abnormalities?
- Tooth root abscess ( fractured or malposition tooth and food can pack around the tooth causing swelling/pain/smell)
- Endodontic abnormalities (disease of the inner chamber of the tooth can be due to abscess or tooth fracture, excessive wear or decay)
What is the opposite of parrot mouth?
Monkey mouth (Top jaw is shorter then bottom jaw)
