FEBRUARY 2011 THE RIDER /21
WHAT’S UP DOC From the desks of Dr’s Armstrong & Frost.
HALTON EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES Question:
My coach tells me that my horse needs his teeth floated and I am not sure what this is or who to ask since some people at my barn are using their veterinarian and others are using a non-veterinarian. Can you help me understand float- ing better?
What is floating?
Floating is a term used to describe the removal of sharp enamel points in the horse’s mouth. Because the horse’s tooth grows continuously until the early 20’s and due to the shape of the jaws, these sharp points develop. Horses that are stabled and fed grain diets tend to develop these points even faster than pastured horses because they are not picking
form dentistry for your horse in the province of Ontario. This law can vary between provinces and states. This ruling in Ontario is based on protecting the public and the equine patient and further informa- tion can be obtained by visiting
www.cvo.org. The importance of veterinary dentistry has been emphasized in the last decade in our veterinary schools and as a result has produced more equine veterinarians with specific dental skills. It is illegal for anyone in the province of Ontario to offer a diag- nosis or treatment on your horse other than a licensed veterinarian. What can I expect when my horse is floated?
There are many different ways of achieving the float. Some veterinarians use power instruments and others use man- ual floats. Either way with the appropriate expertise you can achieve similar results. Some standards are basic to floating. Each horse should be sedated in order to have a full mouth specu- lum placed to
up as much soil to grind the points. Points develop on the upper jaw on the outside edge of the tooth and the lower jaw on the inside edge of the tooth.
How frequent does my horse need to be floated?
This is often based on the individual horse but it is on average need- ed once a year and ideally should be every 6 months until the age of 9 and again every 6 months when the horse is in the geriatric years. The tooth can grow an average of 14mm in length until it reaches 9 years of age and this can lead to significant points that can cause sores in the mouth.
Who performs this pro- cedure?
Your veterinarian is the only person who can legally examine and per-
open the mouth. Use of this specu- lum is necessary to visualize and examine the mouth thoroughly and without sedation this can be an unnecessary risk to both the horse and handler. The horse then
should have its mouth rinsed to allow the best examination and preferably food should be withheld for a couple of hours prior to the dental. Another necessity to ensure a good float is the use of a power- ful light to allow examination throughout the mouth. The exami- nation should include but not be limited to observing for uneven wear, sharp points, gum disease,
This is done to prevent choke. The sedation usually lasts approximately one hour. Until the next float is sched- uled, monitor your horse for halitosis, facial swelling and reluctance with the bit. If these problems are seen prior to your next scheduled dental, contact your veterinarian promptly. Power Instruments and Manual Floats Some myths have developed between the use of power versus manu- al floats. Some argue that the power equipment is too aggressive and can cause heat that is harmful to the tooth. Others believe that you get a better float with the power instruments over manu- al floats. None of these thoughts are
correct. There are different ways of achieving the same end result and the experience of the individual behind these instrument is the key. Great tools in the wrong hands can be disastrous. Great instruments in the trained profes- sional’s hands is the best combination for your horse.
Laura Frost BSc DVM
Dental Committee Member of the American Association of Equine Practi- tioners ---------
Do you have a question to Ask The Doc? Call (905) 659-4387 or email to:
info@hevs.ca, visit
www.hevs.ca or email The Rider at
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fractured teeth, tartar, halitosis and retained caps. More recently, the use of dental mirrors placed in the mouth allows us to visualize even more problems. Once the examina- tion is complete, the corrections with either power equipment or manual floats are carried out. Remove all hay or straw bedding following the float until your horse is fully awake from the sedation.
Email:
info@intercityinsurance.com
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