Lifelong care for animals
providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience
NEWS
Equine Dental Disease by Sam Harding
Diastema ‘The Hidden Menace’ Diastema are abnormal gaps between horses’ teeth which can trap food material. They can occur between the incisors of older horses which is obvious to see, but are of greater concern in the cheek teeth. • This can be one of the most painful conditions in the horse’s mouth. • It can be difficult to identify without a thorough oral examination. • It can cause halitosis (bad breath), gingivitis and periodontal disease. • It can eventually can lead to tooth loss. Food material gets trapped between the teeth while being chewed. It can then get packed in and start to ferment and putrefy. It happens most commonly in the lower cheek teeth at the back of the mouth. Small spaces are worse than larger spaces as they act like a valve allowing food to enter but not leave.
Signs • • • • •
Dropping of partially chew food (Quidding) Bad Breath (Halitosis) Packed food material in cheeks Abnormal head carriage or bitting problems Weight loss
Treatment 1) In early stages hand picking with a dental pick can help remove the longer fibres. 2) Flushing with a high pressure pump. This provides temporary relief and should be repeated every 3-4 months. 3) Changing diet by swapping from long fibre such as hay to grass or alfalfa pellets but this is an expensive alternative. 4) Removal of the transverse ridge which forms in the upper cheek teeth above the space is important to prevent further food material being packed into the gap. 5) Diastema widening. This is a veterinary specialised procedure to widen the space between the teeth to promote ‘cycling’ of feed and prevent fermentation of any food present .
24 hour emergency service
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP
Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ us on our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Equine
September 2012
Contact us:
CALDEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 vets@paragonvet.com TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005
NURSE CLINIC Does your horse need a dental check? by Lucy Shaw RVN
RAGWORT Ragwort is a weed that contains toxins harmful to horses. These toxins cause destruction of the liver cells and will eventually lead to liver failure. The toxic effect on the liver builds up over time and causes irreparable damage. Horses will get just as ill from eating small amounts of ragwort over a long period of time as from eating a large quantity in one go. Unfortunately there is often no sign of any problem until it’s progressed so far that nothing can be done to treat it. In most cases the only reasonable course of action once the signs are visible is to have the horse put to sleep. Ragwort should be removed before it has had the opportunity to seed, as each plant can produce thousands of seeds. Spraying ragwort with herbicides can be an effective control measure, although it works best when the plants are young. As the ragwort dies, it must be removed and disposed of appropriately before pasture can be grazed as the plant becomes more palatable, but no less toxic, as it dries out. Wear protective gloves and ideally a face mask if you’re pulling ragwort by hand. Various tools are now available which make the task of pulling ragwort easier. Pulling by hand is likely to leave root fragments in the ground, so new growth must be monitored and repeat pulling is likely to be needed annually. Ragwort that is pulled up should be burned to prevent it being eaten by animals. Check your hay and haylage and remove any suspicious looking plants.
Horses’ teeth grow all the time and should be checked by a veterinary surgeon or qualified dentist at least once a year. Older horses should have their teeth checked at least every six months. Remember prevention is better than cure. Here are a few signs to look for which could indicate your horse needs a dental check:
• Ulceration on the lips/cheeks or tongue (may be seen when the horse yawns) Do not put your hand inside the mouth to check. • Fibrous material in the dung over 2cm long. • Coughing/choking on food. • Discharge coming from mouth/nose/eyes. • Swelling of the face or jaw. • Bleeding from the mouth. • Dunking mouth into water when eating. • Unwillingness to have the bridle put on. • Resistance to the bit when ridden especially on shortening of the reins or turning (but this can also be a sign of back pain and may need vet check). • Tossing their head. • Pulling on one side. • Rearing/different behaviour. • Carrying the head high. • Chewing or grinding of the bit.
Did you spot our new equine banner making its debut appearance at Dalston Show?