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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2019; 246; 98-102; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.005

Prevalence and analysis of equine periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries in a first-opinion horse population in the UK.

Abstract: Equine dental disease remains a widespread affliction in domestic horses, with the potential to cause significant welfare problems. This retrospective study aimed to increase understanding of this aspect of equine health by examining dental records of 932 horses, taken from a 1-year period of first-opinion practice in south-western England and southern Wales. Three grossly-identifiable dental diseases were analysed: equine periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries. The prevalence of active periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries were 13.9%, 8.7% and 8.2%, respectively. Periodontal disease was more common in the mandibular than maxillary arcades (P<0.001) and in the premolar (06-08) than molar (09-11) cheek teeth (P<0.001). Diastemata were also observed more frequently in the mandibular than the maxillary arcades (P<0.001) and in premolar than molar cheek teeth (P<0.001). Peripheral caries were significantly more common in molar than premolar cheek teeth (P<0.001). A positive association was demonstrated between periodontal disease and diastemata (Exp(B)=4.22; P<0.001). Increasing age was a significant risk factor for periodontal disease (P<0.001) and diastemata (P<0.001). Sex was not conclusively established as a risk factor for any dental disease.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-02-20 PubMed ID: 30902197DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study explores the prevalence of three major dental diseases in horses: equine periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries, finding them to be common with increasing age being a significant risk factor. The study is based on dental records of 932 horses over a 1-year period from areas of south-western England and southern Wales.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to increase understanding of equine dental health by looking at the prevalence and analysis of equine periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries.
  • The research was retrospective in nature, analyzing dental records of domesticated horses over the course of a year.

Findings

  • The prevalence of diagnosed active periodontal disease, diastemata, and peripheral caries were 13.9%, 8.7% and 8.2%, respectively.
  • Periodontal disease and diastemata were more commonly seen in the mandibular (lower jaw) than maxillary (upper jaw) arcades, and more commonly in the premolar cheek teeth than molar cheek teeth.
  • On the other hand, peripheral caries were significantly more common in the molar cheek teeth than in the premolar cheek teeth.
  • A positive association was found between the presence of periodontal disease and diastemata.
  • Increasing age was found to be a significant risk factor for periodontal disease and diastemata.
  • Sex was not conclusively established as a risk factor for any of the dental diseases studied.

Implications

  • This study sheds light on the widespread issue of dental diseases in domesticated horses and the potential welfare problems arising from these conditions.
  • The findings can help veterinary professionals to better understand and manage the equine dental health, thereby improving the overall wellbeing of the horse population.
  • Further research can explore the reasons behind these prevalences and associations, to help develop preventive measures against these dental diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Nuttall HE, Ravenhill PJ. (2019). Prevalence and analysis of equine periodontal disease, diastemata and peripheral caries in a first-opinion horse population in the UK. Vet J, 246, 98-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.005

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 246
Pages: 98-102
PII: S1090-0233(18)30311-3

Researcher Affiliations

Nuttall, H E
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thompson Avenue, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK. Electronic address: harriet.nuttall@cantab.net.
Ravenhill, P J
  • B&W Equine Group, Willesley Clinic, Byams Farm, Willesley, Gloucestershire GL8 8QU, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Diastema / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Periodontal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Periodontal Diseases / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Bishop IT. Diagnostic value of full-mouth radiography in horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:971886.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.971886pubmed: 36277061google scholar: lookup
  2. Kutara K, Kadekaru S, Sugisawa R, Une Y. Pyogenic meningitis and trigeminal neuritis secondary to periodontogenic paranasal sinusitis in a red deer (Cervus elaphus). J Vet Med Sci 2021 Jun 9;83(6):947-951.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.21-0029pubmed: 33840720google scholar: lookup
  3. Townsend KS, Johnson PJ, LaCarrubba AM, Martin LM, Ericsson AC. Exodontia associated bacteremia in horses characterized by next generation sequencing. Sci Rep 2021 Mar 18;11(1):6314.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-85484-zpubmed: 33737590google scholar: lookup
  4. Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 2: Risk factors associated with diastemata, periodontitis, occlusal pulp exposure, wear abnormalities, and malpositioned teeth. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1039-1046.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15740pubmed: 32108969google scholar: lookup
  5. Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders and their mutual relationships. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1028-1038.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15741pubmed: 32107866google scholar: lookup
  6. Arantes JA, Rabelo IP, Bermudes L, Lacerenza MD, Mendes RP, Corrêa RR, Yamada DI, Valadão CAA, Dória RGS. Optimizing equine standing sedation: continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1606585.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1606585pubmed: 40919037google scholar: lookup
  7. Tinsley T, Fogle C, Means E, Robertston J. The prevalence and risk factors of dental disease found in 100 miniature horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1239809.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1239809pubmed: 38098989google scholar: lookup
  8. Occhiogrosso L, Capozza P, Buonavoglia A, Decaro N, Trotta A, Marin C, Corrente M. Bacterial Periodontitis in Horses: An Epidemiological Study in Southern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 30;13(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13111814pubmed: 37889702google scholar: lookup
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