Endodontic therapy and surgical excision of a chronic suppurative osteomyelitic lesion in a horse: a case report.

This research presents a case report on a 22-year-old horse with chronic dental disease and a bone infection, who saw immediate and long-term improvements in eating habits following two rounds of dental surgery and treatment over four months.

Overview of the Case

• A 22-year-old thoroughbred gelding horse that was exhibiting signs of chronic dental disease was brought forward for treatment.
• Prior to treatment, the horse showed symptoms like quidding, which is the dropping of food from the mouth while chewing, and abnormal biting behavior.
• An intraoral examination of the horse revealed chronic general inflammation of the gums and severe tooth decay in the upper and lower front teeth.

Treatment Process

• The treatment spanned two separate visits over an interval of four months.
• The first visit involved the surgical extraction of three unrestorable lower front teeth and the restoration of six decayed upper front teeth.
• The second visit consisted of conventional endodontic treatment, which is a procedure to treat diseases or injuries in the tooth’s pulp and root, on the remaining lower front teeth.
• Additionally, the second visit also involved the surgical removal of a chronic suppurative osteomyelitic lesion, which is an infection in the bone that produces pus.

Post-Treatment Observations

• Improvement in the horse’s eating habits were observed both immediately after each treatment, and in the long term.
• A three-month follow-up examination after the completion of treatment showed that the teeth were in a functional position, the dental restorations were intact, and the surgical site had healed considerably.

This case study illustrates the potential benefits of dental treatment, alongside surgical intervention, in managing advanced dental and bone disease in horses.