This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Equine Dentistry »
  Discussion on Using a Dentist vs. a Vet
Author Message
Member:
Tmo0hul

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 - 1:28 pm:

I just thought I'd post my thoughts about using an equine dentist vs the local vet for your horses' teeth. I have a 27 year old mare that I acquired about 5 year ago. I had my local vet do a check up on her and float her teeth at that time. I was told that her teeth were fine, and that due to her age she really had nothing there to do. Again in early 2001 I had a different vet out to do teeth at the farm, and was told the same thing - she's got nothing to float. Yesterday we had an actual equine dentist out to the farm. I was shocked and dismayed to find out that she had terrible sores in her mouth from her overgrown teeth. It took him 90 minutes to float her teeth. He actually had to use power tools because they were so bad. Over the years I had noticed that eating was getting increasingly more difficult for her, so I just kept feeding her more senior feed in a mush. Came to find out that due to the condition and shape of her teeth she could not grind her teeth, only use her tongue to mash up the food. It was true that her front molars were worn down, but the vets never bothered to look farther into her mouth. The dentist actually said that she had a lot of teeth for a horse of her age, and that she hadn't had her teeth looked at for a very, very long time. I'm sure that my other vets had the best of intentions - but they're not dentists. I definetly learned a lesson.
Member:
Amara

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 - 5:58 pm:

i learned the same lesson a long time ago, but fortunately for me without having as much a problem as you have had!... use the professional with the most experience for the job huh?.. farrier for feet, and a dentist for teeth!.. not that they cant work together, and they should!.. (my dentist and my vet have a GREAT relationship (and my farrier).. but i would rather have someone who's job it is to handle teeth be the one to do my horse's teeth.. in my mind there's no way that a vet can, and should, try to learn EVERYTHING about a horse, and various special anatomy that's as complex as dentistry and farrier work.. the vets have enough to do!!!

sad story, but at least you were able to finally help her...
Member:
Tmo0hul

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 - 7:13 pm:

On a happy side note - fixing her teeth seems to have solved another problem of hers. I've been fighting what I though to be an infection in her right eye for about 3 months. The eye began watering almost uncontrollably for no apparent reason. I had tried every little tube the vets could come up with. They just made it worse. I finally decided to leave it alone, because then it was only draining instead of swelling and draining. I went in to feed tonight and voila! - two dry eyes. No puffyness, no drainage, just a perfectly healthy, normal eye. Will wonders never cease?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 12, 2002 - 5:51 am:

Though the reports above are interesting, and I would be the first to say that many veterinarian's dentistry skills could use improving, the problem is that it can be difficult to assess the unlicensed dentist. So I remind you to be sure you know your dentists training and get references. Melissa's idea that a vet cannot be a good dentist, is just not true: many veterinarians do an excellent job.
DrO
Member:
Teresaa

Posted on Thursday, Dec 12, 2002 - 6:52 pm:

Wehre I live there is not an equine dentist around. However, even if there were one I would stick to my vet. He does an excellent job on the teeth and does a very thorough inspection.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Friday, Dec 13, 2002 - 9:41 pm:

Same here, my vet is very good with teeth and is in high demand for that reason. I think finding the person that does the best job is more important than the title(s) they may have. I assist when the teeth are done and have learned a lot because of it. So I will know what I'm looking for when I need to find another vet.
Member:
Suzym

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002 - 11:45 pm:

I also use a vet who is a dentistry specialist. He lectures regularly at the Purdue Large Animal Hospital about equine dentistry. They want him to teach there full time, but he doesn't want to give up his practice - thank goodness! :-)
New Member:
Breeze

Posted on Friday, Jan 3, 2003 - 1:56 pm:

I have used both veterinarians and an equine dental specialist and in my limited experience, the specialist did a much better job. My dental specialist impressed me for several reasons: 1) he has completed an extensive equine dental program, 2) he was very willing to educate me, and even brought along a horse skull with corrected teeth on one side and "problem" teeth on the other and answered all my questions 3) he requested that a vet be there to administer a light sedative (my vet was very impressed by his work), 4) he used a speculum to get a really good look at the teeth and permit him to see what he was doing with his tools, 5) he had a large number of specialized dental tools with nice long handles, including motorized files, 6) he used a disinfectant on his tools. So those are items I would look for in any professional claiming expertise with teeth. Neither of my vets saw any problems in my horse but the dentist found a slight parrot mouth, several hooks, and some other minor problems.
Member:
Fototrop

Posted on Saturday, Mar 8, 2003 - 9:30 am:

This is an interesting discussion. I had decided that to try an equine dentist this spring with my Stormy. Two years ago, the vet that did his teeth seemed to have done a good job. But the one that came out last spring had some trouble. Stormy is not trusting of people in general and can get pretty scared. The vet from two years ago was kind and patient and comforting with him and he did just fine. The one last year just didn't have the same bedside manner. He ended up sedating Storm and I noticed a fair amount of blood on this tools and in Storm's saliva. What was worse was that his mouth was obviously sore for two weeks after as he had difficulty eating and he would not let me near his mouth to look.
The second vet had recently opened a large animal hospital in our town and I thought it would be good to use him. Maybe because he is a surgeon he isn't as used to dealing with horses that aren't sedated. At any rate the first vet was a woman and had such a nice manner with Storm that she was able to do everything she had to do without a sedative and Storm didn't try to get away from her when she was finished.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this except to say that I think it has far more to do with the individual than whether they are a vet or a dentist. The reason I am going to use an equine dentist this year is that there is one locally whom I have heard very good things about. She is also a woman. I hate to sound sexist but I find that women tend to be gentler and more sensitive to the horse's feelings and that my Storm is less afraid of women. He has a history of definate neglect and probable abuse. He isn't a lunatic but he does get awfully nervous around people. I think he may find the equine dentist less frightening.
Pam
Member:
Ldodson

Posted on Monday, Mar 10, 2003 - 12:54 pm:

Pam,
I'm a little late in getting in on this discussion but, I just had my vet come out and do the teeth on 2 of my horses. I can honestly say, I wasn't a bit disappointed with his manner or the work he did. I will also say that I wouldn't want my teeth worked on for ANY reason with out painkiller/sedation. For this reason I always have my horses sedated. This way there is never a question of being to harsh or not doing a good job. I can afford to sedate them for dental work so I do. The mama's to be will wait for their dental work until after we wean. Hugs, Linda
Member:
Rose15

Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 9:21 pm:

Dr. O.....had a bad experience today by an equine dentist who was accompanied by a vet. My gelding bled during the procedure and the tranquilizer took 9 hours to wear off. I had 3 horses done today and each of them had problems. They have all had equine dentist before (last 15 years) and in the past it has been a non event. I thought I was getting the best of both worlds, didn't work out this way. Needless to say I am
looking for a new dentist in Nebraska.
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 3:40 pm:

Hi Rose, just wanted to pick your brain. I am sure you don't want to slam anyone, but I am in N.W. Iowa and have made an appointment with an equine dentist for 2 weeks from now. He comes up here, from Omaha NE, i think,to a trainers farm, every so often. I have heard good things about him. He is supposed to be a vet/equine dentist/chiro/accupunture specialist. Can I ask who he is so I don't get in the same boat you are in?
thanks
suz
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:10 am:

Guys I have to admit I am uncomfortable with such public "outing" where both sides cannot be presented. I am sure Rose's intentions are purely to prevent others from having a similar bad experience we can't present both sides. Why don't we leave it at a story that suggests to get referrals from people you trust. Rose would serve us better by providing the name of someone who did a good job for her.
DrO
Member:
Rose15

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 4:44 pm:

Susan...sounds like you are safe. The equine dentist I used was a woman. Please let me know if you are satisfied after the procedure, I would like to have the name of the dentist since I am in the Omaha, Nebraska area.
Member:
Rose15

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:04 pm:

Dr. O.....I did use a referral, my vet of 15 years. My equine dentist moved to Texas and I did what seemed logical I asked my vet for a referral. My gelding has been off his feed for the last few days and I am concerned because his manure production is greatly diminished. I'm sure his mouth is still sore. I was a dental assistant myself so I know mistakes can happen but they should be addressed immediately. I'm hoping Susan can supply me with the name of the vet doing her procedure since I live in the Omaha, Ne. area.
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 7:44 pm:

Rose, I will let you know when I take the horses to him. They said he should be coming up here the 1st or 2nd week of June. I will send you his name via your e-mail and let you know how it went. I understand and agree with your advice on postings Dr. O, I hope private e-mails are acceptable?
Thanks
suz
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:43 am:

That is fine Rose and you need to tell your veterinarian about your experience but it still is your best bet on finding help. Private emails are a excellent way to communicate Susan.
DrO
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 10:41 pm:

Rose, can you e-mail me the name of the vet who referred you to the lady equine dentist. I have not yet heard when the vet will be in the area, but apparently from what I have heard, it is a woman that does the dentistry. My e-mail is heartdog@evertek.net. Just want to be sure I don't have any more problems. I just talked to someone today, that said they used her on their horses and she did a wonderful job, however, rather expensive. Just doing some checking before the fact.
thanks
sue
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC