Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Periodontal Disease
Synonyms: Gingivitis, Gum Disease
Summary
Periodontal disease (gingivitis or gum disease) is a very common problem in older horses and horses that are not on a regular dental program.
Periodontal pockets form in areas where feed material packs into gum tissue alongside the teeth, favoring bacterial growth and destroying gum tissue. The inflammation (reddening, swelling) of the gums that results is called gingivitis.
Dental overgrowths cause gum damage to the opposing gum tissues and spread opposing teeth, causing gaps between the opposing teeth (diastema) that allow packing of feed into pockets.
This condition tends to be painful, causing difficult chewing, bad breath, and can cause horses to drop feed. A vicious cycle develops causing pockets to deepen and signs to worsen.
This is an important and often overlooked disease causing painful and difficult chewing in horses.
Diagnosis requires careful oral exam with a good light source and often a mirror and other special equipment.
Treatment involves addressing the predisposing factors (dental overgrowths, diastema), removal of debris from the pockets and in some cases, temporary filling of the pockets with various materials.
Periodontal pockets form in areas where feed material packs into gum tissue alongside the teeth, favoring bacterial growth and destroying gum tissue. The inflammation (reddening, swelling) of the gums that results is called gingivitis.
Dental overgrowths cause gum damage to the opposing gum tissues and spread opposing teeth, causing gaps between the opposing teeth (diastema) that allow packing of feed into pockets.
This condition tends to be painful, causing difficult chewing, bad breath, and can cause horses to drop feed. A vicious cycle develops causing pockets to deepen and signs to worsen.
This is an important and often overlooked disease causing painful and difficult chewing in horses.
Diagnosis requires careful oral exam with a good light source and often a mirror and other special equipment.
Treatment involves addressing the predisposing factors (dental overgrowths, diastema), removal of debris from the pockets and in some cases, temporary filling of the pockets with various materials.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is fair to good with removal of overgrowths that are causing the gap between opposing teeth (diastema). In some cases, the shape of the diastema may need to be changed using special dental burrs.Success depends upon the severity of dental imbalances and overgrowths present and the vet's ability to reduce these sufficiently to protect the gum tissue.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Why did my horse develop periodontal disease?
- What should I do differently to help prevent this problem?
- How frequently should this condition be addressed?
Prevention
Routine dental examination by an experienced veterinarian who performs dental procedures necessary to maintain oral health is recommended.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
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