Dentistry

Dr. Cinotti performing a routine float.

The most important part of dental care is a thorough and complete oral exam under sedation. We must first diagnose the problem before we can begin to correct it.

During the oral exam, each tooth will be explored and/or palpated for abnormalities and signs of disease. Most owners are familiar with the development of sharp enamel points that often necessitate floating of their horse’s teeth; however, a complete oral examination by a qualified veterinarian should be performed on an annual basis as part of the normal care of your horse. The oral exam can aid in the early detection of serious systemic problems in the horse.

Problems in the mouth can manifest in many ways. Some of these include performance issues, resentment of the bit, lameness, odor from the mouth or nose, dropping food, drooling or difficulty chewing.