Widespread prevalence of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis detected in German Icelandic horse population: impact of anamnestic factors on etiology.

This study investigates the common prevalence of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) in Germany’s Icelandic horse population and aims to identify risk factors associated with its development, evaluating factors such as age, gender, feeding habits, and place of birth.

Study Population and Methodology

• The study population consisted of 154 Icelandic horses, all older than 15 years, in Lower Saxony, Germany, examined at 22 different locations over a period of 14 months, from October 2020 to December 2021.
• Data was collected through questionnaires completed by the horse owners, in addition to thorough clinical examinations and Equine CBC (Complete Blood Count) tests conducted on the horses.
• The horses’ rostral oral cavities were also clinically examined and radiographs were taken of the incisors, with the findings subsequently scored.

Study Findings

• Based on the collected clinical and radiographic data, horses were classified into “EOTRH-affected” and “EOTRH-healthy” categories.
• A notable finding was the high prevalence of the dental condition, with 72.2% of the 151 horses examined (109 horses) being diagnosed with EOTRH.
• An increased risk of developing the disease was found correlated with the age of the horse, indicating that older horses were more susceptible.
• Male horses were found more prone to EOTRH than their female counterparts.
• The study also found that the place of birth of the horse might influence the development of the condition.
• However, factors such as feeding habits, keeping conditions, and dental treatments didn’t show any significant influence on the onset of the condition.
• Where the clinical and radiographic findings were inconclusive, some horses were classified as “suspicious”.

Conclusions and Implications

• This study emphasizes the widespread prevalence of EOTRH in the German Icelandic horse population and suggests a need to raise awareness about the ailment.
• Many of the involved horses weren’t suspected of having EOTRH until the comprehensive examination.
• This research also underlines the need for further studies concerning the causes of the disease, as multiple theories exist but require further investigation to ascertain their relevance.