EOTRH Extractions
This 18 year old Selle Francais gelding was referred for evaluation of EOTRH (Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis). This competitive upper level dressage horse had started to have some behavior changes associated with riding with a bit.
Radiographs showed Grade 3 tooth resorption and hypercementosis of the corner incisors (103, 203, 303, 403). The remaining incisors had Grade 1-2 tooth resorption. The canines had Grade 1 tooth resorption.
Radiographs showed Grade 3 tooth resorption and hypercementosis of the corner incisors (103, 203, 303, 403). The remaining incisors had Grade 1-2 tooth resorption. The canines had Grade 1 tooth resorption.
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The treatment for this painful disease is to remove the affected teeth, which typically ends up being all of the incisors. In this horse, all of his incisors showed signs of the disease, but we mentioned to the owner that the corner incisors were most affected and the center incisors were less affected. Because this is still a very competitive horse, we discussed with the owner the fact that without incisors, sometimes horses choose to hang their tongue out of their mouth - something that can result in penalties in dressage. If the owner wished, we could leave the less affected central incisors in hopes that it would help keep his tongue in his mouth, knowing that that these teeth may still be a source of pain for him and that they would need to be removed at some point in the future. This owner decided that they didn't want to take any chance of their horse remaining in pain and didn't want to put him through a second procedure in the future and elected to move forward with the recommended procedure - extraction of all of the incisors.
This horse was standing sedated and administered regional and local anesthesia. All incisors were extracted. Post-extraction radiographs confirmed vacated alveoli. The maxillary incisor incisions were closed primarily with absorbable suture. The mandibular incisor incisions were packed with plaster of paris cast material and closed with absorbable suture. This horse was able to return to a normal diet and turnout immediately upon arriving home, and only had the restriction of no riding with a bit for 3 weeks.
5 weeks later, not only is this horse wearing a bit comfortably again, but he is choosing to keep his tongue tucked in his mouth. We are thrilled for this team and can't wait to see how they do in the show ring.
5 weeks later, not only is this horse wearing a bit comfortably again, but he is choosing to keep his tongue tucked in his mouth. We are thrilled for this team and can't wait to see how they do in the show ring.