Dentistry

11th July 2018 by Andrew Turkington

Routine dental care is an essential part of all horses’ well being and is primarily about preventative care.

Equine dentistry has seen some big advances in effective dental treatments and techniques, how dentistry affects the horse’s performance and well-being and most importantly how to prevent common dental issues.Horses are prey animals which means that they are hard wired to show minimal signs of dental problems in order to prevent being seen as an easy target for predators. Often, by the time horses show signs of significant dental issues such as difficulty eating, quidding, headshaking or a reluctance to accept the bit, the horse has been living with dental problems for a while.

We recommend that your horse’s mouth and teeth are examined every 6-12 months depending on their age and dental history to ensure issues are picked up and treated quickly and efficiently. However, if you notice any signs of dental problems then we advise that you schedule a dental exam sooner.

Our vets are qualified and fully equipped with motorised and hand rasps to perform safe and effective routine dentistry at your yard. They are also legally able to administer sedation if needed for nervous or agitated horses. Most routine dentistry and some minor surgery, such as the removal of wolf teeth, can be done at your yard. Dental radiography and oral endoscopy can also be done out on the road.

Parklands also have a wide range of experience in dealing with nasal and sinus infections originating from tooth root abscesses and the diagnostic and surgical facilities to manage them.