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Warmbloodmom
Nov. 11, 2009, 07:44 AM
Has anyone had a canine tooth removed from your horse? I am looking at either having a decaying canine tooth filled or removed and looking for information on this. If removed, what amount of downtime or complications did you have? Or feedback on filling the decayed portion or whatever they do to not have to remove it. Thanks in advance!
ljc
Nov. 12, 2009, 02:06 AM
I've gone through a he** of a dental year with my 21-year-old TB and had a bunch of teeth pulled (for varying reasons) including two canines (one in January; second one in September). In both instances, I kept a bit out of his mouth for a month (he had a total of four teeth pulled in September so I didn't know if I'd ever have a bit in his mouth; thankfully he made a full recovery).

In both instances, he was on banamine and antibiotics for a couple of weeks. I had to flush his mouth with salt water twice a day for three weeks. He was eating hay the same night as when the teeth came out, although since the first extraction, I've upped his beet pulp and really soak everything (for me, not for him I guess).

According to the equine dentist (Dr. Goss for those of you in this part of CA), the rest of his teeth are in great shape. Sure hope so - don't think I can go through this again!

Honestly, those two teeth were so decayed that removing them was the only solution and they were ready to come out. I think extraction was the best way to put the whole thing behind us.

Good luck!
Warmbloodmom
Nov. 12, 2009, 05:02 AM
ljc, Did they have to totally put him under for the canine teeth to be removed or did they do it in his stall standing and just sedated? Yuck, a month of no work is not good!
ljc
Nov. 13, 2009, 12:26 AM
ljc, Did they have to totally put him under for the canine teeth to be removed or did they do it in his stall standing and just sedated? Yuck, a month of no work is not good!

Did it in the stall with sedation. Both canines were infected and decaying, more than ready to come out, which made the extraction a bit easier. I was actually surprised at how easily those came out. Not so much the other teeth, however ...

After a few days, I started longing him and kept him exercised that way. Also tried a hackamore but this particular old OTTB's thought hackamore equalled halter which equalled let's go for a yee-haw gallop. A slightly more saner horse would have probably done fine with a hackamore or bitless bridle.