Equine Dentistry

Perkins Veterinary Clinic Provides Equine Dentistry

At our animal clinic, our veterinarians pro Stillwater veterinarians offer equine dentistry vide equine dentistry along with a host of other preventative and surgical services for large animals.

Equine dentistry is an important part of your horse's health. Mysterious cases of colic and a host of behavioral and medical issues can often be traced back to dental issues in domestic horses. A horse's teeth grow constantly just like their hoofs. In the wild, the constant grinding of grasses naturally grinds the teeth down. However, most domestic horses are fed on alfalfa hay which is much softer. Consequently the teeth are not ground down properly resulting in sharp "hooks" that develop in the back molars. These hooks make it impossible for the horse to grind food properly because they impede the back and forth sliding action of the molars. The result can be colic, malnutrition, soreness from the teeth cutting into the gums, painful pressure and misalignment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). All of these can severely affect the health and disposition of your horse and make it very uncomfortable for them to hold a bit.

 Preventative Care for Equine TMJ

We can help you prevent the production of equine hooks that lead to TMJ issues and other problems with a comprehensive equine dental examination. During the examination our veterinarian will also look for wolf teeth and the placement of canines. These teeth sit between the front and rear teeth and can also cause problems with a bit depending on their placement. Sometimes tooth extraction is the necessary method of treatment.

Stillwater equine dentistry for Perkins and Cushing Another procedure we offer includes "floating" or grinding a horses teeth down to eliminate the hooks and to provide your horse with a healthy dental bite for grinding his food. Depending on the horse, "floating" may need to be done on as a part of regular pet care to prevent long-term problems. Some horses may develop hooks very slowly or not at all. Consistent dentistry maintenance is the key to keeping your horse's mouth healthy. Signs of dental issues include excessive salivation, a horse that continuously drops half chewed portions of food, coarse manure, uneven temperament, continuous head tossing and bit avoidance.
Talk with our staff about the importance of dentistry for your horse when you visit our veterinary clinic. Left untreated dental problems can lead to very serious and painful complications. 

Our veterinarians are highly trained in all aspects of equine care and offer equine dentistry care for horses. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced clinic staff  is always available to answer any of your questions. Call anytime, (405)547-2442

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