Creative Solution to Oral Flushing Cheek - between cheek and dental arcade

[PaddockWood]

I’ve got a horse packing fresh grass in her cheeks. The dental practice is board certified - just in case you’d be concerned about the quality of care in her mouth. The problem appears to have been made worse as a result of creating space between the teeth with the idea it would actually prevent the food pack. So maybe it’s an idea the dental community is trying and it works most of the time?

They suggested flushing her cheek. Since it’s sensitive tissue I want something really soft like rubber or silicone and it has to be LONG because I need to get back there. Maybe a thick soft extension to a syringe? They suggested low low pressure on a hose but I’m not thinking she’ll let me do that. I’d still need a tip for that. Any ideas?

I do have this in my supplies and hadn’t tried it. Not an easy to fill syringe:

[beowulf]

Can you ask your dentist to give/sell you one of the large oral syringes they use when they do a mouth wash/rinse with (iirc) chlorhexidine? My vet will usually leave me with whatever they have and just charge me cost - I’m sure if I asked my dentist she’d do the same. IIRC they do sell the drench guns in larger doses - I have a drench gun like pictured and IMO it would be too much of a PITA for regular use, plus I don’t think it really has enough liquid volume for oral flushing effectively. I used it to dose doxy and never want to look at it again.

[sascha]

@PaddockWood

I do have this in my supplies and hadn’t tried it. Not an easy to fill syringe:

It should be pretty easy. Take it apart (unscrew the top) and check that the gasket ring thingamajig around the plunger is in good shape. If it’s just dry, a little silicone lube should do the trick. It may also decrease the lifespan of the the ring, but it will probably buy you enough time to source a new ring.

As far as filling, just put your water in a plastic measuring cup and draw it up. You don’t need to unscrew the top.

[Djones]

Just fill it by drawing it up.

Personally I would put her in the washrack and rinse it with a garden hose on low with no end on it.

[Bluey]

@Djones

Just fill it by drawing it up.

Personally I would put her in the washrack and rinse it with a garden hose on low with no end on it.

That is what we did for an old horse we bought out of a bad situation that had terrible hooks and ulcers from those all over the inside of his cheeks.
Worked just right and he kind of liked it, must have felt good.
Best I remember, was long ago, we used lukewarm water, not just cold, it was winter.
Try that, she may like it.

[PaddockWood]

Hey thanks guys. Appreciate all the thoughts. I’ll try the hose idea first. That sure would be easy.

I like that large oral syringe idea too and will call them. I’ll also check out my little syringe that always seemed like more of PIA but I’m getting feedback from you that it shouldn’t be so bad.

So just the open end of the hose? And I’ll do lukewarm water - yes, she’d need that.

[Bluey]

@PaddockWood

Hey thanks guys. Appreciate all the thoughts. I’ll try the hose idea first. That sure would be easy.

I like that large oral syringe idea too and will call them. I’ll also check out my little syringe that always seemed like more of PIA but I’m getting feedback from you that it shouldn’t be so bad.

So just the open end of the hose? And I’ll do lukewarm water - yes, she’d need that.

We played a bit first with the hose, light stream without force, he was interested and liked it, tried to nose it a bit, we kept playing around and then sticking it in his mouth and then up the side and he thought it was all fun and games.
Always back off before they get worried and if possible, let it be her idea to interact with the water and hose, that helps.
May not be able to do much first time, after a few times maybe she will cooperate.

[PaddockWood]

Good to know. I’ll report back.

[luvmyhackney]

If the hose doesn’t work you can use a automotive fluid pump, they have a hose on the end and hold 200ccs.

[Railbird]

I feel like a baby snot sucker bulb is just the ticket for this

[PaddockWood]

@luvmyhackney @Railbird Very creative. Love love love. Have 3oz aspirator - two types - ordered this am. Tell me more about the fluid pump idea please.

[luvmyhackney]

Here is a link.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/fluid-pump/p/performance-tool-transfer-pump/

Here is the one I have.
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/fluid-pump/p/oemtools-extraction-and-filling-pump/750015_0_0

[Bluey]

Home Depot, Lowes have those pumps also:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pennzoil-9-62-in-Multi-Use-Hand-Pump-36677/205092031

[Equibrit]

Amazon.com: 100ml Large Syringe with 40 Inch Tube and Tip Adapter, for Feeding...

[PaddockWood]

Just ordered this too. I needed one more item for free shipping so perfect. Thank you thank you thank you.

[PaddockWood]

So good to know about. What do you use yours for?

[Equibrit]

My best mare got nailed on her face by a snake with dirty fangs. I had to flush her out through the foramen in her maxilla bone. YUKKY!

[NaturallyHappy]

YIKES! How awful. Is she ok now?

[walktrot]

It is a Diastema - a gap between the gum and the teeth. My gelding developed one when he was about 26. His dentist is highly qualified and highly experienced and most of the local vets work with him regularly.

He didn’t suggest doing anything to flush the area, but maybe that had something to do with how deep the gap was. It didn’t affect his ability to chew the forage. A wet clump of fully chewed hay and grass would fall out from time to time. He dropped one when we were headed out to hand graze. When we took the same route the next day it was sitting where he left it. He snatched it up, mashed it a bit, and swallowed it. The biggest problem I had was another boarder who was up my ass for 4 days telling me he was quidding. The dentist said quidding is a pain response. It hurts to chew so they drop what they are trying to eat.

I had to put him down in July when he was 28 - his left knee finally quit. He wasn’t having a problem maintaining his weight.

[luvmyhackney]

I use mine for my goats. It works amazing to get baking soda/ water down the hatch for bloat.