In centuries past, looking into a horse's mouth played an important role, albeit primarily to determine the animal's age. Today, the focus is more on dental care and dental disease in horses. Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of keeping horses healthy. Regular veterinary checks of the mouth and teeth should be carried out at least once a year. The annual check-up and routine dental treatment can be carried out by any equine practice. In the event of specific dental problems or complications, it is advisable to consult a practice that specializes in equine dentistry. Typical dental problems in horses include tartar and the formation of hooks and edges on the molars due to uneven wear. These issues can be quickly resolved during routine treatment, preventing further damage. But how can we, as horse owners, tell if our horse has dental problems?
It is not easy to link symptoms to actual dental problems. This is because in horses, clear signs are usually only noticeable when the disease is already advanced. As a horse owner, you can use the following indicators to recognize that your horse may be suffering from a dental problem:
Riders should be alert if their horse shows resistance to the bit or bridle. Head shaking or head shying behavior can also be possible indications of pain in the mouth or teeth. Problems in the jaw joint can manifest themselves in horses in the form of teeth grinding. Physical blockages or poorly fitting bridles that can exert pressure on the jaw may be responsible for this. However, some horses also react to excessive demands or stress by grinding their teeth. If the horse only grinds its teeth under certain circumstances when riding, the riding style and the fit of the saddle should be checked. These symptoms described for riding horses must be considered from a broader perspective, as resistance in horses can also be caused by many other problems.
We observe temporary toothache caused by teething in young horses up to around the age of seven. When milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, cysts sometimes form in the jaw, also known as bumps or knobs. These are usually visible on the outside as a painless, firm swelling that disappears again on its own within a short time.
If present, so-called wolf teeth can also cause problems. These are not fully developed teeth, but remnants from the development of the horse's dentition. Wolf teeth do not occur in every horse, nor do they always occur in the same type and number. They are located at varying distances in front of the first molar and usually have very short roots. When riding, wolf teeth can cause pain to the horse through contact and pressure from the bit. Chewing problems can also occur. It is advisable to have these teeth removed by a veterinarian. This requires a minor surgical procedure, which can be performed in the stable under light anesthesia.
Inflammation in the horse's mouth can have various causes, but it occurs more frequently in older horses and often results from injuries caused by sharp tooth tips or tooth fractures. A tooth infection can spread from the tooth root or gums. Various symptoms occur, such as refusal to eat, bad breath, local swelling, or even fever. If the infection is already advanced and has also affected the nasal or maxillary sinuses, this can manifest itself in unilateral nasal discharge and should be treated urgently by a veterinarian. Under certain circumstances, the infected teeth may then have to be extracted under sedation or general anesthesia.
So don't be afraid to take a look in the mouth of a "gift horse," because it's not just about age, but above all about the health of your pet.
Have a routine dental check-up carried out by a vet every year. If there are already known dental problems, this may be advisable every six months. After major dental work, a check-up appointment is recommended after eight weeks.
Thanks to improved preventive care, senior dogs are no longer a rarity. Similar to humans, they suffer from classic age-related ailments such as osteoarthritis, cataracts, and dementia. Around 20% of nine-year-old dogs and almost 70% of 15-year-old dogs suffer from dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS or "dog Alzheimer's").
Winter affects humans and animals differently than summer. The body has to adjust to the cold, darker season. We can also help our dogs get through the winter very well.
Did you know that color rats have a pleasant calmness and can bring a lot of joy to those around them with their friendly nature?
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
Periodic eye inflammation has been known for over 2000 years and is the most common eye disease in horses. It describes a recurring inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) in horses. In veterinary medicine, the term "equine recurrent uveitis" (ERU) is now used. The disease occurs repeatedly, initially at longer intervals and later at shorter intervals, and can lead to significant visual impairment. Since the affected horses often went blind from this disease and it was suspected that it was related to the phases of the moon, it was also commonly referred to as moon blindness.
Skin diseases are one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet, alongside gastrointestinal disorders. Pyoderma refers to purulent infections of the skin caused by various bacteria. In healthy animals, the skin provides good protection against infections through various defense mechanisms. There is a balance between the normal microflora of bacteria, yeasts, and parasites on the one hand, and the formation and breakdown of skin cells and their waste products on the other. The microflora feeds on the waste products of the skin and at the same time prevents the colonization of infectious germs.
It happens in the paddock or even in the stall: your horse injures itself and may be bleeding. What should you do? Is it just a small scratch, a bump, or even a huge, gaping wound? Do I need to call the vet, or can I treat it myself, and if so, how? How can I minimize the risk of injury in the future? Kicks, bites, falls, or foreign objects can cause cuts, puncture wounds, abrasions, bruises, contusions, or burns in horses, which may require veterinary treatment depending on their severity. The severity of an injury always depends on its location and the involvement of surrounding structures, such as muscles, tendons, or joints. As with humans, a distinction is made between covered and open injuries in horses. In covered injuries, the horse's skin is undamaged, which is why this type of injury is not always easy to detect. For example, a kick may have caused a bruise that we as owners may only notice when grooming or when the horse is lame. Damage to the skin is referred to as an open injury or wound. This results in bleeding of varying severity, but even here, smaller wounds can be overlooked due to the coat.
Borna disease, also known as contagious encephalomyelitis or head disease of ungulates, is a rare viral disease of the nervous system that mainly affects horses and sheep. However, other animals and humans are also susceptible to the Borna virus. The disease was first described in 1813, when a whole group of cavalry horses fell ill in the town of Borna.
Is your dog moving more stiffly, reluctant to go down stairs or jump into the car? Is he limping or does he have a swollen joint? Around 20% of all dogs develop joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis during their lifetime. But what is the difference between them?
Ear infections in dogs are one of the most common reasons for visits to the veterinarian. However, the condition is often detected too late and not treated consistently. The anatomical structure of the ear canal in dogs and its length make it prone to inflammation. Due to various factors, some dog breeds are even more susceptible to inflammation in the ear area. Outer ear infections, also known as otitis externa, are the most common type. Middle and inner ear infections are less common. However, if not detected early, these can develop into chronic conditions that require intensive treatment.
