It is a syndrome in older horses that results in resorptive lesions of the incisors and canine teeth, and has been documented in the cheek teeth of some horses. There is currently no known cause for this condition. As the disease progresses, the roots of the incisors start to resorb (or basically dissolve). Some horses also develop hypercementosis or bulb-like swellings around the roots of these teeth. This may be the body's response to try to stabilize these teeth.
Eventually, the affected teeth become inflamed and can become loose or even fracture. This can be a very painful condition for these horses and can result in weight loss, difficulty in the bridle, and change in attitude. Many older horses are fairly stoic and don’t always exhibit obvious outward signs of pain until the clinical disease is quite progressed.
Our goal is to diagnose these horses at an earlier stage to prevent pain, inflammation, weight loss, and secondary infection. Treatment of this condition typically involves extraction of the affected teeth. Horses do quite well without their incisors, utilizing the cheek teeth for grinding and chewing food. Current research is investigating underlying causes that hopefully will bring about new treatments.
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What is the treatment for EOTRH?
Extraction of affected teeth is the recommended treatment at this time. Horses with advanced disease may require extraction of all incisors
Can my horse continue to eat normally if his incisors are extracted?.
Yes. Following extractions, we generally recommend a softened diet for a few weeks. but these horses can easily continue to eat hay & even graze. Their lips take over the function of tearing off grass, & by watching them eat, you'd never know their incisors are missing.
What about riding?
Following extraction, we ask that you keep a bit out of their mouth for a few weeks. After that, you can resume normal riding.
What will his appearance be like?
His outward appearance won't change much. Some horses will let their tongues hang out of their mouths following extractions, but this can vary quit a bit.