Annual dental examinations by an Equine Veterinarian are as important for your horse as they are for you and me. While a horse doesn't necessarily need floating yearly, it is important to assess the mouth to catch abnormalities early and prevent future problems.
Did you know that dental issues can translate into poor performance? Barrow Veterinary Service can assess if a dental issue is playing a part in why your horse might be underperforming, be resistant, or might not be eating or drinking as robustly as needed. An annual dental exam and float is one of the services provided in our Wellness Program, or you can simply schedule one at your convenience. BVS proudly uses the state of the art TeraFloat for routine dental work (see images at right), which can be done either at our facility or on the farm. For extractions, corrective procedures, or dental surgeries, we have a variety of specialized tools in our hospital, plus radiography, labs, stocks, and a dental sling are on hand to ensure the safety and comfort of all involved - especially our patient!
Here are some signs it might be time for a dental exam: * Excessive head shaking, ineffective chewing, inability to hold weight * Foul odor from the mouth or nose, or any facial swelling * Dropping feed while chewing * Quidding hay or grass (dropping balls of chewed-up matter) * Taking an excessive amount of time to eat * Twisting or rubbing the head or neck while eating * Choke * Resistance to bitting, bridling, or haltering * Gnashing or grinding teeth together