Periodontal disease is one of the most painful conditions that can occur in the horse's mouth. And, like with humans, it’s the number one cause of premature tooth loss. Identifying and correcting problems can greatly minimize the impact of the problem over a horse’s lifetime, and for performance horses, good dental health really helps them perform to the best of their ability.

Partnering with veterinarians for equine dental health

The College of Veterinary Medicine now offers an equine dental service that provides a full range of periodontal, endodontic, and restorative procedures. For complex conditions and treatments, the service brings together expertise with a team of specialists and surgeons from across the college.

To provide the best care to patients, we work closely with referring veterinarians, who often provide follow-up care.

Regular exams with your veterinarian help identify and address problems before they affect a horse’s health or performance. Signs might include halitosis, dropping feed, weight loss, and performance problems. Some horses have more subtle signs, such as just not seeming to feel well or seeming mildly depressed. Many horses do not exhibit outward signs. When periodontal disease advances, specialist care may be required.

Advanced dental care

Colleen Porter, DVM, a nationally-respected equine dental specialist, heads the equine dental service. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Porter has authored and co-authored numerous articles. Dental services include:

• Advanced dental care
• Complex oral surgery
• Fillings and extractions

More than 30% of all horses experience periodontal disease and 60% of horses older than 15 suffer significant periodontal disease. In addition to premature tooth loss, periodontal disease can cause systemic diseases though septicemia, as well as other complications.

The goal of treatment is a healthier, better functioning mouth, and ultimately, a happier, longer-lived horse.

Our equine dentistry team works with the approval of or referral from your veterinarian. For more information, visit our website or contact Dr Colleen Porter.

equinedentistry@cvm.msu.edu

517-353-9710