From page 35
ponies and horses. Treatment
is by rasping the sharp edges
and it takes a trained person
such as a veterinarian or a
horse dentist to do this
effectively, although some
farriers can also do it. To
prevent problems, it is wise to
have the cheek teeth of
ponies and horses rasped
regularly, perhaps once a year
or so, by a veterinarian or a
horse dentist.
Periodontal disease can affect
cheek teeth as well as
incisors. It is caused by
infections of the gum and
supporting structures around
the cheek teeth roots. In
LIVESTOCK
severe cases the bone
becomes swollen and sore,
then the animal is reluctant to
chew its cud and it gets thin.
If you suspect any problems
like this, consult your
veterinarian.
Another mouth problem is
overshot and undershot jaws,
because sometimes animals
are born with a lower jaw that
is too short (i.e. it meets the
top pad well behind its front
edge, called undershot or
“parrot mouth”). Sometimes
the lower jaw is too long (ie, it
protrudes, called overshot).
Depending on the severity of
the abnormality, the animal
may or may not be able to
suckle or graze. If the
problem is not too bad,
affected calves and lambs can
be fattened for slaughter if
they are grazed on good
quality long pasture.
Don't breed from animals
with under- or overshot jaws,
as these problems can be
hereditary.
Tooth care in horses includes periodic rasping of uneven wear.
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Your job is to check your
animals' mouth, but don't try
to be a dentist, as you will be
in danger of losing fingers.