Dental Vet; Equine vet practice for dental health and surgery

14/09/2025

How to spot pain during wolf tooth extraction? Horses with adequate pain relief through a correct nerve block, do not chew or move their tongue (nor head or body). Sedated horses without (good) nerve block, will still feel pain and will let you know about this. Unless somebody have zonked them so much they can feel pain but cannot respond (not safe, not kind).

Are you making good decisions and keeping your horse or patient free of pain?

It’s the kind and sensible thing to do.
It’s the most effective: they won’t go very well for you with broken teeth!!
It’s the NZ Animal Welfare Act

(Edited for vets: this was an erupted yet atypically placed root, hence the elevator being at this angle. Usually the elevator is placed inside the speculum arch.)

14/09/2025

Miniature photobomb at the Finishing Touch Equestrian Turnout Clinic last weekend 🐴🧲🧲 equestrian

03/09/2025

Two main avenues we investigate with malocclusions like this:
The malocclusions being
- An overjet
- Slanted bite
- and an Offset bite

Poor dude has the trifecta! and still jumping his heart out for his owner.

One avenue is investigating if this horse has any conformational reasons. Yes, he has an overjet caused by brachygnatism of the mandible.

the Other, in my view even more important avenue is: any pathology that causes him pain and therefore less chewing pressure on one side of the mouth. Leading to elongation, slanted and offset bite.

28/08/2025

On this episode of Where is Wally…Marieke covers the subtle clues that lead her to Wally the Wonky Tooth.

27/08/2025

Pup came to tell me I have to call it a day. Finished the blurb for Show Jumping Canterbury 🐴 together with Murphy the best Labracadabrador ♥️

27/08/2025

All brain cells (all two of them) on deck today to ‘crack’ this referral.

A detailed exam, knowledge about endodontics and good radiographs were essential. Should it stay or should it go? Big call in this young horse.

Several teeth were developing crown lesions, decay and fractures. We have made a treatment plan and the referring vet will closely monitor the response or any ongoing symptoms.

Quick crappy photo of a laptop screen is all I am gonna muster today: home time 🤪🌸🌸

18/08/2025

Wolf teeth! Simple solutions but never boring to discuss ⭐️⭐️

12/08/2025

What is the most common dental disease that mostly goes untreated?

Constant pain
Infection
That goes deeper and deeper with passing
Time
Feed conversion poor (thoroughbreds)
Ridden problems
Behaviour problems
Extraction may become neccessary
40-50 % of equines have this;

Periodontal disease (bad gum health)

It requires
Precise cleaning by an advanced dental vet
(Have they had practical training in this)
Under sedation and pain relief
Difficult / suboptimal without stocks
Scope is often essential
Pointy ‘diastema’ burr between/ around teeth without hitting a root canal) is often essential.
Use of dental products inside the gum pockets.

Use of antibiotics in the feed, vein or muscle IS USELESS $$ spent- this is very well proven scientifically.

So educate yourself, ask questions and push for referral when someone says
Feed packing
Gum disease
Notice a smell

11/08/2025

Thanks Monty for painting this artwork for us! Better look after those teeth AKA paint brush holders…

Monty is a horse that enjoys picking different paint colors and using a paintbrush on canvas. This talented painter and soon will be featured in a book about equine painters!

09/08/2025

I was fortunate enough to attend the 2025 Bain Fallon Equine Nurses Conference. When Marieke said it was on the Sunshine Coast, it took me a while to decide if I wanted to go......about 0.2 seconds to be exact.

The conference covered 2 days of tailored education for equine veterinary nurses, featuring lectures, practical workshops, exhibition access, and networking opportunities.

I had a fantastic time soaking up so much invaluable knowledge (and a bit of sun). I've developed a hunger for more and can not wait for the next opportunity to arise.

I am now feeling incredibly inspired and excited to continue learning about equine dental care and how we can help horses and their owners achieve greater outcomes.

Rachael

09/08/2025

Our local police officers are amazing. They have proven to be fast and effective like only rural cops can be. Let’s keep these superstars just around the corner ⭐️⭐️

227 signatures are still needed! THIS IS NOT OK - STOP THE CUTS TO RURAL POLICING IN CANTERBURY

07/08/2025

Accurately weighing of your horse is one of the many unique benefits of our veterinary service. Thank you Wedderburn for calibrating the scales today. Got the tick of approval ✅✅🤗