Proper Care for Your Horse’s Teeth
Oral care is important so that horses can chew their food thoroughly and eat comfortably. We recommend annual oral examinations with appropriate corrective treatments once each year. To be done properly, these exams must be performed by a licensed veterinarian while your horse is sedated (your horse can remain standing). We recommend twice yearly dental exams for older horses.
Basic Oral Exam
Your Equine Sports Medicine doctor will perform a thorough examination of your horse’s mouth using mirrors, lights, and dental probes. We are on the lookout for any inflammation, foul odors, ulcers, foreign objects, broken or missing teeth, and any other abnormalities. We’ll also check the wear pattern on your horse’s teeth and make recommendations for corrective treatments.
Floating
Horses must thoroughly chew their food in order to digest it properly, so regular tooth maintenance is necessary. We address this by including power floating in your horse’s oral examination. Power floating involves the use of a special file (called a float) to remove sharp points and create a more level chewing surface for your horse.
Dental X-Rays
Our fully ambulatory diagnostic services include digital dental x-rays. This is a valuable tool for investigating problems that we see or suspect during your horse’s oral examination. Digital dental x-rays provide us with clear pictures quickly so that we can uncover the cause of your horse’s oral condition.
Please contact us today to schedule your horse’s comprehensive dental examination with one of our equine veterinarians.
