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  Discussion on Quidding treatment dilemma
Author Message
Member:
Jennyg

Posted on Thursday, Jul 8, 2004 - 11:14 am:

Hi there,

I have a five year old thoroughbred mare who is quidding. She has a gap between her teeth where feed is getting compacted and spat out, obviously this is having a serious impact on her health and even though we are doing everything possible, she is still looking ribby and dull. Naturally I need to get this resolved asap but I am receiving two varying degrees of advice.

Firstly, the equine dentist did try and increase the gap by creating a groove, It did help for a while but it quickly reverted to the same level as before.

Secondly, she was sent for x-rays where they have advised that she needs to go to a specialist, who has equipment which will allow them to bore in at a 90 degree angle (Sorry if this is slightly unclear..the situation is getting more and more confusing). This would involve a 3 day round trip (6 hours in the box one-way) in order to get her to this specialist.

Thirdly, I have been advised by another vet that it may be simply easier to remove the tooth, increasing the gap and therefore solving the impaction problem.

Any objective opinion at this point would be greatly appreciated..I have had her since last October..she's great but its been one thing after the other.
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Thursday, Jul 8, 2004 - 2:28 pm:

Personally Jenny, I would go with the third option of removing the tooth if it wouldn't impact her normal chewing action. Less expense, no travel, problem solved.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Thursday, Jul 8, 2004 - 6:47 pm:

I'm certainly no vet, nor have I seen your mare's x-rays. However, if the vet reccomended a surgery to fix her problem, and you have someone competent and with the right equipment to do the work, I'd go ahead and have it done. Quite a few years ago we had a four your old mare with a tooth impacted high up in her upper jaw. Her primary tooth was becoming ankalosed (sp?) to the jaw bone because there was no secondary tooth to push it out. We took the mare to an excellent veterinary surgeon with state of the art equipment. He drilled out the primary tooth and cut a channel for the secondary tooth to follow so it would DrOp down into the correct place. The mare had no problems from the surgery; the tooth appeared in the proper place in a short time, and the mare had no more problems with the tooth. However, I'm sure, as with people, it all depends on just where the tooth is positioned and if it is correctly and completely formed. Something that can only be told by x-ray.

If the impacted tooth is not where it can DrOp down, but is seperating the teeth on either side of the gap - thus making the gap - then it would seem like if the primary tooth was drilled out the secondary teeth would push together and close the gap. I don't think removing the tooth would increase the gap permenently as teeth tend to grow closer together and naturally fill in gaps unless they are held apart by excess tissue, a partially formed tooth, etc. At least that's the case with people. Dr. O. can advise you re: horses better than I can, I'm sure!

Also, if a tooth is impacted, as it sounds like is the case here, then it can't be simply pulled out. A hole will have to be made in the jawbone and it will have to be drilled or dug out. Unless the tooth has errupted but is in the horse's palette instead of it's proper place.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jul 9, 2004 - 10:51 am:

Hello Jenny,
Which two teeth is the gap between and what is the nature of the gap?
DrO
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