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Dentistry in Seniors:
Katie and Stoney (AQH, G, 22y) at the City Slickers
Endurance Ride.
When is a horse a senior? Most
veterinarians believe a horse's Golden Years begin at approximately
20 years of age. Having said this, ACH still has patients who
are competitive in their mid 20s, has several retired patients in
their 30s, and has had a 45 year old patient. As in people,
genetics, health care, and quality of life all play important
factors in a horse's longevity.
Unfortunately, many of the cases presented to
veterinarians for dental care are senior horses who are losing
weight. Diagnostic testing often reveals that these horses
have normal organ functions, but oral examination demonstrates
severe dental malocclusions because of years of dental neglect.
Greater than 70% of senior horses suffer from severe dental
malocclusions. These malocclusions predispose the teeth to
premature loss due to abnormal wear patterns. Also greater
than 60% of horses over 15 years of age will also suffer from
painful periodontal disease. Dental malocclusion at this
age may be uncorrectable, and periodontal disease may require tooth
extraction to alleviate suffering.
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A Typical Senior Mouth
after years without routine dentistry.
Although teeth are present, severe
malocclusions render them nonfunctional.
Green Arrows: The front cheek teeth
show cupping. (A dental aging change where the
infundibular enamel is worn away, and softer dentin begins
accelerated attrition or cupping.)
Red Arrows: Grass packing between
teeth indicates periodontal disease.
Blue Brackets: Expired teeth with
only roots remaining. Note the severe hook
malocclusions on the rear cheek teeth. |
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Another Typical Senior Mouth.
Again, years of dental neglect produce
severe malocclusions which may be uncorrectable.
Red Circle: The 1st lower cheek tooth
has a severe ramp malocclusion which has completely
overpower the upper 1st cheek tooth. The upper 1st
cheek tooth is expiring and nonfunctional.
Green Arrow: Front root of the upper
1st cheek tooth. Blue Arrow:
The rest of the upper 1st cheek tooth. |
The goals of Senior Dental Care are to provide
oral comfort and nutritional counseling to improve the senior
horse's quality of life.
ACH's Senior Care Formula:
1. Since many senior horses have nonfunctional
dentition, seniors should be fed a pelleted complete ration
as their primary source of nutrition. (ACH's Doctors feed and
recommend Purina Equine Senior.) They should also be
allowed to graze (or eat hay) for psychological stability.
Horses that are not allowed to graze develop oral vices, such as
cribbing.
2. Senior horse's usually have decreased immune
competency and should be on a daily deworming program, such as
Pfizer's Strongid C.
3. Senior horses should receive a physical and dental
examination by a veterinarian at least annually in order to diagnose
and treat diseases as early as possible.
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Before |
Tenbrook, TWH, G, @ 20years:
A Senior Success Story! Tenbrook
presented on 30 April 2004 after being rescued by Fayette
County Animal Rescue. Initial Examination revealed a
Body Condition Score of 3/9 and severe dental malocclusions.
Laboratory diagnostics showed all organs to be functioning
normally. Tenbrook was dewormed, vaccinated, and fed
Purina Equine Senior with free choice hay and pasture
for 10 days. (Ideally a senior's diet is changed before
dental work is performed.) Following Tenbrook's
dietary change, dental treatment consisted of occlusal
equilibation to reduce the wave mouth malocclusions on
his cheek teeth and floating of his hard enamel
points. |
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After |
Tenbrook, 5 Months later.
With proper nutritional and dental care,
Tenbrook is a "new horse." Tenbrook was adopted in May
2005 and is spending his Golden Years in retirement. |
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