Equine Dentistry Flashcards
Why is it important for horses to grind their teeth continually?
To wear down the continually erupting teeth as they chew
At 5 years old how many teeth does a horse have?
36-44 teeth
What teeth do all horses have?
12 premolars 12 molars 12 incisors
What teeth do horses possibly have
4-5 canine teeth 0-4 wolf teeth
How are horse teeth different than human teeth
Horses - enamel throughout the tooth and erupt continuously
In what direction do horses chew
Lateral circular motion
7 reasons a horse needs dental care
-Horse teeth erupt throughout the life of a horse - The upper jaw is 30% wider than the lower jaw - Diet is mainly roughage - Incisors do not wear at the same rate as molars - Late/early tooth eruption for an uneven chewing surface - Tall sharp canine teeth can cut the tongue - horses chew in circular type pattern
How does the vet begin the dental exam
look for odor, inflammation, ulcers, cuts, tooth decay, and abnormalities
How often should a horse’s teeth be floated?
-until all permanent teeth have erupted in a horse, 2 exams/year - 15+ horses have dental issues, 2 exams/year - Middle aged horse, 1 exam/year
