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Equine veterinary journal2021; 53(6); 1105-1111; doi: 10.1111/evj.13404

Retrospective case review investigating the effect of replacing oaten hay with a non-cereal hay on equine peripheral caries in 42 cases.

Abstract: Equine peripheral caries can cause significant morbidity and can have considerable welfare implications. Recent research suggests that diets with high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content are associated with high risk of peripheral caries. Previous work has indicated that the condition may be treatable if the inciting cause is removed and the damaged tooth allowed to erupt out, being replaced by the unaffected tooth previously under the gingival margin. Objective: To see whether the peripheral caries process can be ceased if oaten hay (typically high WSC) is removed from the diet and replaced with a non-cereal hay (typically lower WSC). Methods: Retrospective blinded longitudinal study. Methods: Forty-two cases with peripheral caries that were on oaten hay were asked if they would change the hay type from oaten hay to a non-cereal hay or straw (meadow, Rhodes hay, lucerne hay or barley straw). Photographs were taken at the time and then again at subsequent visits. The photographs were anonymised, randomised and scored by six equine veterinary dentists using the Jackson et al. 'Peripheral Caries Grading System' grading scale. Results: At follow-up, 69.0% of cases were marked as inactive, compared with 47.6% of cases at baseline (OR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.12-5.36, P = .02). Significantly lower grades of peripheral caries were observed in the gingival, middle and occlusive third of the molars (triadan 9-11's) at follow-up compared with baseline. However, significant improvements were not observed in the premolars (triadan 6-8's). Conclusions: This is a review of clinical records, not a prospective study. As such, other changes in the diet and management were not recorded, and there was no control group. Conclusions: Recommending clients change their horse's diet from oaten hay (high WSC) to a typically lower WSC hay was associated with significant improvements in equine peripheral caries located in the molars.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-04 PubMed ID: 33332648DOI: 10.1111/evj.13404Google 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 study explores the effect of changing the diet of horses suffering from equine peripheral caries from oaten hay to a non-cereal hay, finding a significant improvement in the condition located in the molar teeth.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to investigate if the process of equine peripheral caries, a common disease in horses that can lead to severe morbidity, can be halted by changing the horse’s diet. Specifically, they looked at replacing a typical feed of oaten hay, which has high Water Soluble Carbohydrate (WSC) content, with a non-cereal hay that usually contains a lower WSC concentration.

Methodology

  • This study was retrospective, meaning the researchers used existing data without manipulating any variables.
  • The analysis was longitudinal, spanning over a period, and was blinded to prevent bias.
  • Forty-two cases, all horses with peripheral caries that were previously fed on oaten hay, were asked to change the hay type to a non-cereal hay or straw such as meadow, Rhodes hay, lucerne hay or barley straw.
  • Before-and-after photographs were taken, anonymized, randomized and were graded by six veterinary dentists using the ‘Peripheral Caries Grading System’ grading scale.

Results

  • The study found that after the change in diet, 69.0% of cases were categorized as inactive, compared to 47.6% before the diet change.
  • Significantly lower grades of peripheral caries were observed in the gingival, middle, and occlusive third part of the molar teeth at the follow-up compared to the baseline.
  • Significant improvements were not found in the premolars, however.

Conclusions

  • The researchers acknowledge some limitations of their study, notably that it wasn’t a prospective study and lacked a control group.
  • Also, any other changes in diet and management that might have contributed to the results were not recorded.
  • Despite its limitations, the study concludes that changing a horse’s diet from high WSC oaten hay to lower WSC non-cereal hay was associated with significant improvements in equine peripheral caries located in the molars.

Cite This Article

APA
Jackson K, Kelty E, Tennant M. (2021). Retrospective case review investigating the effect of replacing oaten hay with a non-cereal hay on equine peripheral caries in 42 cases. Equine Vet J, 53(6), 1105-1111. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13404

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 1105-1111

Researcher Affiliations

Jackson, Kirsten
  • International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
Kelty, Erin
  • School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
Tennant, Marc
  • International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Avena
  • Dental Caries Susceptibility
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Retrospective Studies

References

This article includes 16 references
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