A survey of equine oral pathology.

This research study surveys the different types of mouth diseases found in horses, their incidence rate, and association with particular conditions and age groups. The study was conducted on horses of various ages, breeds, body conditions, and origins, which were due to be slaughtered at a processing plant in Western Canada.

Study Purpose and Methodology

• The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of oral abnormalities—various types of mouth diseases or disorders in horses.
• The study also aimed at examining the associations between the most common oral abnormalities, and to understand the relationship between the horse’s age and the types of oral disorders they might have.
• The data for the research was gathered through a cross-sectional survey of horses presented for slaughter at a processing plant in Western Canada. The study comprised a diverse sample set, including horses of various ages, breeds, body conditions, and origins.
• The age of the horses in this study varied from 18 months to 30 years, with the median age being 11 years.

Findings and Observations

• The most common oral abnormalities found in the horses were sharp edges, buccal abrasions, calculus, lingual ulcers, gingival recession, periodontal pockets, ramps, and waves.
• The study revealed that several types of oral diseases were strongly associated with other dental disorders. For instance, a horse suffering from one type of oral disease is at a higher risk of suffering from another type of mouth disease as well.
• The prevalence of certain oral disorders like periodontal pockets (the spaces that develop around the teeth, leading to gum disease), gingival recession (where the gum tissue lowers its position on the tooth, exposing the root), and waves (an abnormality of the chewing surface of the teeth) was found to be highest among the older horses in the sample set.

Implications

• This research fills in gaps in veterinary medicine knowledge by providing data on the occurrence and type of dental diseases in horse populations. It provides crucial insights that can help in understanding, preventing, and treating these diseases in horses.
• The association between various mouth diseases suggests that prevention or treatment of one disease could potentially lead to the control of others, improving overall oral health in horses.
• The findings indicating a higher prevalence of certain diseases in older horses might be used to develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies for this age group.