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DENTAL CARE
Kerrie Winstanley BVetMed MRCVS
, Castle Veterinary Surgeons
3. Apply 2-3 layers of rolled cotton
wool to the limb, for padding and
further protection.
CASE REPORT...
Geriatric
dental case managed
by dietary changes
Sunny
is a 31 year old thoroughbred
gelding with PPID (equine Cushing’s
syndrome), which is well managed
with medication.
His owner was concerned that despite being
fed large amounts of hard feed Sunny had
suffered a gradual weight loss and was
quidding (dropping feed). He was turned
out during the day with ample good quality
grazing and stabled overnight with adlib
haylage, he also received a daily jam
sandwich containing his medication. Sunny
had previously received regular annual dental
treatment by a non-accredited equine dental
technician. His owner was not aware of any
specific problems with his mouth.
A thorough clinical examination was
completed, including blood and faeces
testing. Sunny was found to be underweight
with a body condition score of 2/5. Sunny’s
mouth was examined using a speculum
(gag) and light source.
The following long-term dental
abnormalities were observed:
l
missing teeth;
l
step mouth (teeth become excessively
long over time,due to the loss of the
opposite teeth);
l
molar teeth worn down, in places to
below the gum line;
l
sharp enamel points causing severe
ulceration on both the cheeks
and tongue;
l
ga s between adjacent te th
(diastemata) with impacted trapped
food causing painful gum disease.
These abnormalities would be causing pain
and discomfort as well as compromising the
ability of the molar teeth to grind forage.
A programme of treatment was recommended
to correct Sunny’s painful dental problems to
restore as much function and comfort as
possible. Owing to his age and the long
standing nature of these problems restoring
normal function and anatomy would not be
possible so dietary changes were necessary
to help Sunny eat and return to health.
The sharp enamel points were removed to
allow the ulcers to heal. The impacted food
was flushed from the gaps between the teeth
and the severely overgrown teeth that were
affecting function were reduced.
Sunny’s diet was changed to replace long
fibre sources e.g. haylage which would be
difficult to chew and likely to impact in the
gaps between his teeth. Soaked grass pellets
and fibre cubes were fed in several meals
throughout the day. Vegetable oil was added
to his feed twice daily in increasing amounts.
Sunny’s overnight haylage was replaced with
a short chopped hay replacer that he found
easier to eat.
Within 24 hours of his dental treatments,
Sunny’s owner reported that he was quidding
less and eating more comfortably. Sunny was
re-examined six weeks after his initial
presentation and his weight had already
increased to give him an improved condition
score of 3/5. Sunny has since maintained
weight and continues to do well on his new diet.
Sunny
AUTUMN 2013 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
10
Veterinary surgeon
Kerrie Winstanley
XLVets Equine practice
Castle Veterinary
Surgeons
Sunny's incisors with food packing and
painful gum disease
Inside Sunny's mouth: 1 - overgrown
tooth, 2 - overworn smooth tooth with
food packing.
1
2