Page 60 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Equine dentistry and the law

Equine dental procedures are now divided into three categories. Procedures such as the use of
VetBooks.ir power tools for corrective dentistry and the extraction of wolf teeth or loose teeth are in

category 2 and may only be carried out by those with training and experience in the use of
the required instrumentation. This includes EDTs who have passed the BEVA/ BVDA dental
examination approved by Defra and veterinary surgeons. In many cases the horse will require

sedation and medication so the vet and EDT will work together as it is illegal in the UK for
anyone other than a vet to administer intravenous sedatives and analgesics. More advanced

dentistry (category 3 procedures) must be performed by a vet with the relevant experience.

Tetanus protection

Horses with sharp teeth and those undergoing dental procedures are likely to sustain
abrasions inside their mouths. It is therefore essential that they are protected against tetanus.
If the horse is not vaccinated against tetanus, then tetanus antitoxin should be administered

by the vet at the same time as the dentistry is performed.

Pain relief

If the horse has had its mouth held open for a period of time by a gag or experienced any
tissue trauma during the dental procedures, it may be sore for a few days afterwards. The

administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone or flunixin
can relieve the discomfort and so encourages the horse to adopt a normal chewing action.
Turning the horse out to graze at the end of the dentistry is usually helpful. If the gag is in

place for a lengthy procedure, it may be closed every twenty minutes to allow the jaw to
relax.

Horses can also be sore if too much tooth is removed at one time and the pulp is exposed.
Care should be taken to avoid this as it may lead to infection within the tooth at a later date.

Dental extractions

If cheek teeth are diseased, this may present as:

• discharging sinuses from the lower jaw or side of the face

• nasal discharge
• facial swelling and pain

• difficulty eating