We have a horse in the barn with a very damaged tooth. He doesn’t trailer well (he only is trailered in actually medical emergencies) so I began to wonder if his tooth could just be filled to save it form being pulled… Is it ever done?
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Only if it’s a front too and then it’s a maybe. We can do some small fillings in back teeth, and then only in a specific part of the tooth. However, if the tooth is severely compromised, extraction is the only option. Part of the issue is the shear size of the equine tooth. The other issue is the annoying depth of the equine mouth. We have to make insane right angle turns to get at teeth and this makes things like root canals on cheek teeth impossible.
Source: am an equine vet who does a whole lot of dentistry
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Would horse have to be hauled to a dentist?
My vet works with an Equine Dentist who does extractions with horses standing (sedated).
My 25yo Hackney had a loose molar pulled this way with zero effect. He was back to normal within minutes. Eating, drinking, harassing my mini…
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I love this question, because it never occurred to me to ask it!
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I live on an island so probably yes, he will need to be hauled…
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Thanks for chiming in…. OP, I was planning on asking if a cracked tooth can be repaired.
So the trailer goes on a ferry?
I’d think an Equine Dentist could travel to you on the same transportation.
Or do you only have the option of a vet clinic off-island?
Yes, trailer goes on the ferry. Was just thinking if it was a filling maybe less involved and easy to do at the farm if we could get a dentist out. Which is probably a long shot
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IIWM, I’d look into getting the dentist to come to you.
Can you take some pics & do a consult w/dentist?
Honestly, according to the guy who pulled my Hackney’s tooth, most extractions are pretty routine. Probably less stressful for the horse than the drilling required to fill a tooth.
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I’ve had three molars pulled in a farm setting. Also had a number of dental work done at the practice.
Would definitely see if they would attempt first onsite. Nothing to lose it would seem.
Years ago - I’m talking 2000? I bought a mare who was grump grumpy and I felt sorry for her knowing something was up. Had a vet suggest I get a good dentist in her mouth (and yes, she’d already had a vet for a float but they just floated - no tooth by tooth exam) and sure enough Dr. Tom Allen found a fractured molar and said he could get it out onsite and recommended that versus going to OSU where they would drill it out with the potential for other problems. It took him a couple of visits to get that damn thing out because it had calcifications around it due to being in her mouth so long but we got it and that girl changed 100% to the sweetest thing.
Hope you have a good outcome and let us know.
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