Dentist or Vet?
belles783
Posts: 31
I had a little issue at the barn yesterday. The dentist is scheduled to come today for all the horses and at the last minute I changed my mind about having him do my horses because he tranq's, and is not licensed to do so. I told the BO I didn't want my horses done and got a bit of an attitude about that and how great the dentist is, and that he does well known horses, etc... I don't doubt that he is great, he has done my horse before, it's just that the vet scared me earlier this year when talking about it and how if the horse has a bad reaction that the vets have a reversal drug that the dentist does not have. I was unaware of the reversal before and now that I know this I don't want someone to tranq my horses that is not licensed to do so. In addition, my newer horse is a full Belgian and I know that drafts sometimes don't react well to drugs and I do not want her tranq'd by anyone other than a licensed vet.
My horses are my babies and it is my responsibility to look out for their best interests. I hate that I have to defend my decision to others when I feel that it is a good decision. They are my horses, I pay for them and take care of them and I don't think I should be judged because I don't want them illegally tranq'd. Now that I know more about tranq's, proceeding with the dentist who isn't licensed to tranq would not be keeping their best interests in mind. My gelding has been tranq'd several times (by a vet) without issue, but what is this is the one time he reacts differently? I know everyone has different views on this, and I just wanted to see what you guys think about this and what you do. Thank you!
My horses are my babies and it is my responsibility to look out for their best interests. I hate that I have to defend my decision to others when I feel that it is a good decision. They are my horses, I pay for them and take care of them and I don't think I should be judged because I don't want them illegally tranq'd. Now that I know more about tranq's, proceeding with the dentist who isn't licensed to tranq would not be keeping their best interests in mind. My gelding has been tranq'd several times (by a vet) without issue, but what is this is the one time he reacts differently? I know everyone has different views on this, and I just wanted to see what you guys think about this and what you do. Thank you!
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Replies
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You did the right thing. Administering tranquilizers is practicing veterinary medicine in all states.
Lay teeth floaters (aka dentists) need to do nothing other than say they are one. There is no training requirement (although some do get extensive training and are quite talented). There is no licensing, which means no standard of competence is established. They also carry no liability insurance. So, if they break a tooth, or if they float your horse's mouth so smooth he can't eat for 2 weeks (and yes it happens more often than you think) you have absolutely no recourse. In many states floating teeth is considered veterinary medicine so if you tried to collect in small claims it would be thrown out because you can't be compensated for something that goes wrong when you are participating in illegal activity (and giving permission for an illegal act would count).
Personally, as a veterinarian I dislike floating teeth. I would love to see tooth floating (without sedation, and without power tools) become a profession. Where those individuals go through appropriate accredited training, and are licensed and carry liability insurance. Much as many in my profession might not care to see.
You're right. Our horses are way to precious to risk this way.
Pip0 -
I think you did the right thing. I personally prefer a vet. We have a vet that specializes in teeth that will drive around. He does a great job. He is a licensed Vet and I like to use him once in a while when he is having a special.
We have dentists in this area that will float your horse's teeth, but if you want them sedated you have to do it yourself. I have had teeth done without sedation before. It wasn't that bad. My ponies behaved.
Dr G does a great job on teeth and he will treat Chico's many other issues at the same time. I figure I am saving money getting shots, boo boos and teeth done at once.
Don't feel bad. You do what feels right to you.0 -
Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it
I didn't speak to the BO much yesterday when I saw her, and today I am still upset about this. I just can't figure out why she cared so much that I didn't want the dentist to do my horses... It’s not like I am trying to save money, the vet charges more lol.
The weird part about this is that when I went to see my gelding his halter was all wet and I know it does get wet when the dentist does teeth. It did not rain yesterday at all and he doesn’t play in the water buckets, I have never seen him do it and he has never got his halter wet before, plus he wouldn’t stick his head in that far to get a drink, his nose would be under water. It was wet across and underneath his nose and on the sides about half way up his cheeks. I wanted to ask her about how the dentist went and to confirm my horse was not done but was afraid of the answer and what I would do if she said his teeth were done… I am afraid that the dentist got out to the barn before her and just started because he has been doing her horses for 10 years... I don't want to cause any trouble... Maybe I am just paranoid…I am super protective of him due to his bad past with abuse, homelessness, etc... Ugh, I can't wait to get into a house of my own so they can be in my back yard...
I should clarify that prior to my owning him he was a homeless, starved stray in our neighborhood that she took in and took care of for 5 years, so this dentist did float his teeth for the 5 years prior to my buying him from her. That is why I am concerned about it... He has never done or seen my Belgian and I am not concerned that she was done...0
