By Ben Woloszyn
Stillwater NewsPress
STILLWATER, Okla. — Dental veterinarians showed proper dental care techniques for horses during a seminar Friday at the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Visiting dental veterinarian Stephen Galloway of Oakland, Tenn., examined the teeth of a local horse after it needed surgery from a sinus infection.
A tooth may cause sinus infections in a horse because of the size and location of the teeth in relation to the sinus cavities, OSU Assistant Professor Lyndi Gilliam said.
After the horse was sedated for safety, Galloway used supersized versions of tools commonly found in a dentist’s office. The inspection didn’t find any major issues.
“Horses have died from heart failure caused by a bad tooth, without X-rays and proper veterinary care some owners may have to put their horses down due to complications from improper care,” Galloway said.
The Oklahoma legislature may address proper dentistry for horses this year. Three bills, House Bill 3202, Senate Bill 1999 and Senate Bill 2000, address “teeth floating” on horses.
House Bill 3202 received a pass recommendations from the Agriculture and Rural Development committee on Feb. 4. Senate Bill 1999 received a pass recommendation from the Agriculture and Rural Development committee on Feb. 10, while Senate Bill 2000 was sent to the Judiciary committee on Feb. 2.
“Floating takes off the sharp enamel points on a tooth which is only a small part of dental care, dentistry encompasses the whole tooth, the tissue surrounding the teeth, and how that all effects the body.” Galloway said.
