Advanced equine dentistry

26/12/2024

So you have their teeth checked every year and that means everything is ok?
MAYBE 🤔
However in this image are just 4 of the more common serious dental issues that we come across each week.
The list of serious dental issues is far greater than what is highlighted here, however the goal in posting these is not to alarm or frighten you, BUT rather to perhaps better inform you and help you to be sure that each horse each time gets the CORRECT diagnosis AND the right help, and that you receive the right advice. Horses are very good at hiding dental pain and compensating for the discomfort that it leads to so that many times serious and painful dental conditions hide in plain sight. Without the correct tools and training it’s just not possible to find them. So what are the tools that you need?
Well listing all of the tools here would be challenging however here are a few of the important ones
* All of the equipment necessary to conduct a through and detailed oral exam
So that will include bright lights, pain relief, tools such as mirrors and probes, equipment to document and record findings
* good quality dental X-ray equipment and the ability to correctly interpret the results
Again the image shows just 4 common issues, and each has been found and the photo taken so that it’s easy to see, remember that’s not what it looked like when we arrived…
Sometimes people are critical that we don’t in their opinion provide enough information when posting images or cases, however you can find a lot more information by visiting our website, viewing other posts or contacting us.
It’s also perhaps good karma if you read something and find it useful or interesting to share with others or perhaps say … THANKS

25/12/2024

Because …. It’s Xmas 🎄
🔔 🎅

23/12/2024

20/12/2024

Just a quick supernumerary tooth surgery to finish out the week
What’s a supernumerary tooth? 🦷
well it’s just what the name describes .. it’s an extra tooth 🦷 +
How common are supernumerary teeth?
Around 2-3% of the population are affected by supernumerary teeth
How does a supernumerary tooth form?
In most cases they form or are thought to form when there is a dividing of tooth germ tissue leading to the development of two teeth from one tooth bud.
What causes supernumerary teeth?
Well there are several causes or possibilities, however one of the main causes can be described as a genetic defect or genetic mis programming.
Anyway we have actually dealt with alot of these cases and feel confident that the awesome pony with this problem will be feeling much better now without her unusual extra 🦷 TOOF thanks to seeing the TOOFDR.

19/12/2024

Ruby “ if I have to walk around one more pony club I’ll die … “

18/12/2024

After another busy day, Ruby was keen to checkout the room service menu and make sure she was upto date on highway patrol… while Bentley the Tonka truck cooled his heals

17/12/2024

Ahh Ruby, always the joker
After getting caught in the crossfire today during surgery she was left wearing a little “ claret “
After a local pointed out to her that she was “ covered in blood “
She simply stole a line straight from my playbook and replied
“ Don’t worry mate it’s not mine “
He beat a hasty retreat at that point, I guess he didn’t share our sense of humour …

17/12/2024

With Ruby protesting that instead of work we could sink a few cold ones..
And the foreign followers of the page uttering “ struth they rooly Doo see Roo at work “ we took on this mornings interesting case in the Yarra Valley referred by Dr Arnold Hennel of The Equine Practice at Lilydale. This mornings patient a much loved older thoroughbred who landed on his feet in his present home, suffers from the debilitating and painful condition EOTRH or Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption & Hypercementosis. This condition is quite common and very painful, some of the page followers have been through surgery and seen the benefits first hand that it provides. As you will see if you look at the photos there’s a great example of Hypercementosis in this case. All in all a great case and fortunate that Dr Hennel and Dr Borg were consulted and after making the correct diagnosis recommended referral for surgery.

16/12/2024

Every horse owner should really read this one given how common this is and how often It is missed or misdiagnosed

16/12/2024

Todays interesting referall comes from Dr Steph Diplock at The Equine Practuce in Lilydale, despite the warm day Ruby and I had no issue dealing with this painful fractured cheek tooth and we are looking forward to updates on how the patient goes from both the referring vet and the owner. Another great case and good outcome from a successful team orientated approach focused on the horses welfare as the primary goal

14/12/2024

Todays interesting referral case on the Mornington peninsula courtesy of Dr Melissa Bain from Tweedie and Associates involved a young thoroughbred with a painful jaw and a dead tooth.

13/12/2024

First step
Get Ruby in the car
Second step … off to work

11/12/2024

Not quite to infinity and beyond… but without Buzz or Woody. Ruby, Bentley and I ducked down to Flinders to see a Referral this morning from Dr Melissa Bain from Tweedie and Associates on the Mornington peninsula. An excellent case as usual from the team there, but as you’ll see Ruby was quick to assume “ work pose “

07/12/2024

Yesterday it was goodbye toofdr.
Today it was hello TOOFDR
Please welcome our newest tow rig

05/12/2024

And just like that, that’s done for another year…
And we will be back on the “ big island “ doing surgeries again

02/12/2024

Currently completing an article on oral photography “ how to “
Here are a few examples of what NOT to do….