So the ongoing saga of my “muzzle rebellion” gelding is pointing us in the direction of incisor removal. I would love to hear from folks about why they chose it, age of horse, outcomes.
I am still going to try the Flexible Fillies muzzle but I’m fairly certain the end of this tale will be tooth removal. He’s 28, in relative good health (Cushings and IR), starting to struggle a bit getting up (hocks). I will obviously have this conversation with my vet, but I’d love to know a bit ahead of that.
My 27 year old pony who has Cushing’s and IR had 5 teeth out one year ago. He sailed through the extractions and was happily eating mush that night. He was on SMZs for about 7 days as a precaution and banamine for about a week. I can’t remember the exact cost, I’m going to say it was about $1,500 which included a couple of x-rays and his meds. Procedure was done at home and took just under 2 hours.
Slightly different but similar enough I thought I’d share…
My husband’s 29 year old gelding w/Cushings had a cracked molar removed this winter. Recovery was straightforward - the hardest thing was getting all the SMZs into him!
If I recall correctly it was two weeks of SMZs and 20(?) per day. He hated them and I ended up having to mix them with water and molasses and syringe them into his mouth. Not fun for either of us!
Our vet did it in clinic and it was ~ $2K.
I’d definitely take him into the clinic as he needs stocks to keep him contained and upright. He sedates badly (likes to tip over) during dentals. He’s so bad during his routine dentals that I’m concerned about this going badly. Are the affected teeth easier to remove than the canine he was losing and we took out in February?
He might be tough to work on dental wise because his teeth hurt. I wonder if they use an anesthetic when they pull teeth? He might be very agreeable if they do! Canines are very deep rooted, diseased insisors should be easier.
I think they did use an anesthetic when they did Oatie’s extractions.
My OTTB had two incisors removed at age 21 due to EOTRH. We took him to a veterinary dental clinic and he stayed overnight. He had X-rays done to check if more teeth were affected since diagnostic X-rays were done by our home vet. They are sedated and pain killers on board through the process and in stocks. SMZ’s for about ten days and Bute for three days after he came home. He was ready to eat grass as soon as he got home! Red did get soaked hay and senior pellets for a couple of days but that was more precaution bc he is also prone to tummy problems.
I’m not sure where you are but Red went to Midwest Veterinary Dental in Elkhorn WI and they are amazing. I think the entire process was tougher on my nerves!
I’m in the Portland, OR Metro so a bit far from WI, but that you for the recommendation. (Half my family is in MN/WI–St. Croix area, but I’m fairly clueless about the geography there.)
Thank you everyone who has given me an answer. I’m a planner, and need lots of research to set my mind at ease.
My gelding had the surgery when he was 25 I believe. We took him to the local hospital to have it done, but it was a day procedure. He had all 12 of his incisors removed and did fantastic. Aftercare was pretty straightforward - SMZs, banamine, some UlcerGard. Hardest part was rinsing his mouth, he hated it and was most uncooperative but we got through it. Healed up beautifully and never had issues, just a little tricky to float his molars after. He lived to 30 and was put to sleep for unrelated reasons.
Best of luck!
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