Equine dental and skeletal fluorosis induced by well water consumption

An uncommon problem but one that speaks to having well water tested before using for human and animal consumption.
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Equine dental and skeletal fluorosis induced by well water consumption
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2020 Nov;32(6):942-947. doi: 10.1177/1040638720962746. Epub 2020 Oct 14.
Authors
Larry H Kelly 1 , Francisco A Uzal 2 , Robert H Poppenga 3 , Hailu Kinde 2 , Ashley E Hill 3 , W David Wilson 4 , Brett T Webb 5
Affiliations

1 Private practice, Lomita, CA.
2 San Bernardino, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA.
3 California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Davis, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA.
4 branches, and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA.
5 North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Fargo, ND.

PMID: 33140708
DOI: 10.1177/1040638720962746

Abstract

Two horses that consumed well water with high fluoride content exhibited clinical signs of chronic dental and skeletal fluoride toxicosis and were later euthanized and autopsied. Both horses had degenerative disease of multiple joints and multiple dental defects. Elevated fluoride concentrations were found in bone and tooth samples of both horses, well water, and feed. Microscopically, abnormalities were noted in bone and tooth samples, and consisted mostly of foci of cement necrosis and hypercementosis. Horses exhibiting bilateral, highly symmetrical dental and/or skeletal lesions, with chronic lameness, should be evaluated for the possible presence of fluoride toxicosis.