Dec12_Old Mill Vet Survery
ON EQUINE DENTISTRY
As a large animal vet, Dr Slade Walker has seen his fair share of cases of inferior work performed by unqualified persons, and the topic of Equine Dentistry is one that gets him fired up
As a large animal vet, Dr Slade Walker has seen his fair share of cases of inferior work performed by unqualified persons, and the topic of Equine Dentistry is one that gets him fired up
It is frustrating that basically any person willing to put a rasp into a horse’s mouth can qualify themselves as able to ‘do teeth’, and even call themselves an ‘Equine Dentist’. No matter how trustworthy and experienced they say they are, if anyone claims they can adequately address horse dental issues without a mouth speculum, dental light and (more often than not) sedation, they are simply taking you for a fool! Large hooks, wave mouth, sharp enamel points, periodontal pockets, and tongue/cheek ulcers are among the multitude of debilitating, yet very treatable, dental issues that these ‘natural’ and ‘unqualified’ dentists leave behind. Why would you risk the health and performance of your horse when an extra $50-$70 per year will get you a full health check and a quality, stress-free dentistry procedure performed by a veterinary dentist? It’s a no-brainer! These lay people also cannot be insured for their ‘trade’, so treatment for anything that happens to you or your horse while you’re trying to restrain it for them comes straight out of your pocket.
What sets Dr Slade Walker apart from others out there is that in 2010 he gained Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the specialty discipline of Equine Dentistry. This involves hundreds of hours of additional course work, mentoring from specialists, exposure to literally thousands of routine and advanced dental cases, and a rigorous examination process. In fact, there are only 13 other veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand that have passed such exams and achieved the level of qualification in Equine Dentistry that Dr Slade has!
Traditionally, getting your horses teeth ‘done’ was a stressful experience for both horse and owner. Nowadays though, with our porta-safe mobile stocks, your horses head rests in the dental halter meaning you no longer have to support your horse’s heavy head. After a physical health check and auscultation of the heart, all structures of the head and mouth are examined before addressing the teeth. This is done with the help of mouth rinse, a dental speculum, and a dental light and mirror, plus sedation, if it is deemed in the best interest of the horse. The portable stocks have built in scales to weigh your horse, a water and power supply and with Dr Slade’s full time dental assistant, Joe, in tow, all is taken care of (including the dreaded sheath clean!). This also is a good opportunity to sit back and observe the procedure, whilst you ask all those other questions you have stored up for the vet.
The main variation in the world of Equine Dentistry is the quality of work performed by somebody who understands horses and has the right equipment to get the job done properly. Most first-time clients seek out Dr Slade after realising that there is a huge difference in getting your horses teeth ‘done’ and getting your horses teeth ‘done properly’. It is so important to the horses overall health to have an even bite and a pain-free mouth. Poorly ‘done’ teeth, or unmaintained teeth, can lead to head tossing/tilting, grabbing the bit, weight loss, sensitivity about the head/mouth, unwillingness, unsocial behaviour and dropping food when eating. All of these signs are almost certainly an indication of a painful mouth. As an important side note: up to 20% of horses that we attend for dentals, as owners have noticed recent weight loss, actually have other life threatening conditions (liver, kidney, heart, cancer) that require more urgent treatment than the teeth. A lay equine dentist or farrier cannot make such diagnoses, nor offer any treatment.
Dr Slade genuinely has a passion for equine dentistry and enjoys the challenge of educating horse owners on the importance of a complete dental procedure and general health check at least every 12 months. Whilst he brings many years of extra training, qualifications and an incredible amount of experience to each job, the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery dentistry prices are in line with other veterinary surgeries to allow every horse owner to benefit from the highest quality dentistry work. Extra discounts apply if you bring your horses to the clinic, where there is ample float parking. Contact the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery to have a chat about the condition of your horses teeth today – 3425 2222..
What sets Dr Slade Walker apart from others out there is that in 2010 he gained Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the specialty discipline of Equine Dentistry. This involves hundreds of hours of additional course work, mentoring from specialists, exposure to literally thousands of routine and advanced dental cases, and a rigorous examination process. In fact, there are only 13 other veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand that have passed such exams and achieved the level of qualification in Equine Dentistry that Dr Slade has!
Traditionally, getting your horses teeth ‘done’ was a stressful experience for both horse and owner. Nowadays though, with our porta-safe mobile stocks, your horses head rests in the dental halter meaning you no longer have to support your horse’s heavy head. After a physical health check and auscultation of the heart, all structures of the head and mouth are examined before addressing the teeth. This is done with the help of mouth rinse, a dental speculum, and a dental light and mirror, plus sedation, if it is deemed in the best interest of the horse. The portable stocks have built in scales to weigh your horse, a water and power supply and with Dr Slade’s full time dental assistant, Joe, in tow, all is taken care of (including the dreaded sheath clean!). This also is a good opportunity to sit back and observe the procedure, whilst you ask all those other questions you have stored up for the vet.
The main variation in the world of Equine Dentistry is the quality of work performed by somebody who understands horses and has the right equipment to get the job done properly. Most first-time clients seek out Dr Slade after realising that there is a huge difference in getting your horses teeth ‘done’ and getting your horses teeth ‘done properly’. It is so important to the horses overall health to have an even bite and a pain-free mouth. Poorly ‘done’ teeth, or unmaintained teeth, can lead to head tossing/tilting, grabbing the bit, weight loss, sensitivity about the head/mouth, unwillingness, unsocial behaviour and dropping food when eating. All of these signs are almost certainly an indication of a painful mouth. As an important side note: up to 20% of horses that we attend for dentals, as owners have noticed recent weight loss, actually have other life threatening conditions (liver, kidney, heart, cancer) that require more urgent treatment than the teeth. A lay equine dentist or farrier cannot make such diagnoses, nor offer any treatment.
Dr Slade genuinely has a passion for equine dentistry and enjoys the challenge of educating horse owners on the importance of a complete dental procedure and general health check at least every 12 months. Whilst he brings many years of extra training, qualifications and an incredible amount of experience to each job, the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery dentistry prices are in line with other veterinary surgeries to allow every horse owner to benefit from the highest quality dentistry work. Extra discounts apply if you bring your horses to the clinic, where there is ample float parking. Contact the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery to have a chat about the condition of your horses teeth today – 3425 2222..
HENDRA VIRUS VACCINE: November 1st 2012 was the day that the first Hendra Virus vaccine (‘Equivac HeV’) was administered in the Moreton Bay region. This was done by Dr Slade Walker at Old Mill Veterinary Surgery, 3546 Mt Mee Road, Dayboro. The patient was stock horse ‘Olly’, belonging to vet. nurse Renae Ziebarth.
Full stock has arrived and Dr Slade has been busy tending to the waitlist of clients who pre-registered for their horses to be vaccinated.
The vaccination process involves 2 doses given exactly 21 days apart with adequate defense levels being achieved 21 days after the second vaccination.
The vaccination, manufactured by Prizer Animal Health, available only through specially accredited vets, is safe on foals over 4 months old.
Full stock has arrived and Dr Slade has been busy tending to the waitlist of clients who pre-registered for their horses to be vaccinated.
The vaccination process involves 2 doses given exactly 21 days apart with adequate defense levels being achieved 21 days after the second vaccination.
The vaccination, manufactured by Prizer Animal Health, available only through specially accredited vets, is safe on foals over 4 months old.
