Dr. Lowder:
Hopefully you can help clear this up for me - I have a 2 1/2 year old colt with a semi-soft swelling on the side of his face under his eye. One vet examined him and said it was a tooth abcess and a retained baby cap on the second molar. He floated his teeth and prescribed antibiotics, which did nothing.
I spoke with the vets at the University, and they said that he could not have a retained cap, as that tooth was still a baby tooth to begin with, and they also said that they do not remove teeth as a general rule, but everything I have read says that removal is the only cure.
This colt eats very well, and still rides with a snaffle bit with no trouble, however, direct pressure does cause pain. I would like to resolve without extraction to avoid having problems with the opposing tooth.
Thanks,
Teresa
Teresa,
I think both vets were correct. The tooth you are referring to is most likely the second or third premolar not molar. I too would suspect a retained cap and would suggest on having an oral examine done by your vet and the retained cap removed.
If there is no retain cap then you will need to have radiographs taken of the horse's head to determine if there is a tooth root problem. If so, you can try extended treatment with antibiotics (usually about 4-6 weeks) and if that does not work then you will have to have the tooth removed.
Now what to do! I would get some radiographs taken ASAP which would tell me if there is a cap or an abscess tooth. Once I knew which one was the problem then I would outline my course of action.
Thanks,
Dr. Lowder
