wolf teeth

[thoroughlybred1]

had a pony with 2 upper wolf teeth last year - duly removed.

Dentist came out to do the yard, got to this pony and said he had a wolf tooth that needed removing. I said he couldnt possibly, he had 2 removed last year........ he opened said ponies mouth, and there was indeed a wolf tooth. I queried the fact that it must have erupted since the vet came out but he assured me that no, it must have been there all the time as they all erupt at the same time.

Had the vet out today to remove stitches from other unconnected horses and asked her to remove offending wolf tooth while she was here. Girl came to me - "vet says there arent any wolf teeth, and anyway she removed them last year"

Although we had the dentist out to the whole yard, i can remember seeing this wolf tooth with my own eyes so went round to ponies box. Prised open Scooby's gob to look for the wolf tooth, and located it on the lower jaw.

The vet was surprised, as apparently wolf teeth rarely occur in the lower jaw (learn something new every day!) but she couldnt remove it there and then, pony would have to go in to horsepital to have it removed.

I went along with it, but afterwards i wondered y the dentist hadnt said it was unusual to get lower wolf teeth........he's a bit obsessive with teeth and if ever he finds anything unusual in any shape or form he's eager to show me - in fact he will call me to ask if i have seen an improvement in X, Y or Z following dental work he's done he's that enthusiastic about his work

I havent called him yet re this chap, but i will. In the meantime, is it really that unusual to have wolf teeth on the lower jaw? i've had lots of wolf teeth removed from various equines in the past, but i've never really took note of if it was the upper or lower jaw.......(bad mum!)

 

[Lucyad]

Oh, I want to nip home from work and give mine a shougle now, as I can't quite remember! My boy has blind wolf teeth, so not through the skin - hence they havent been removed as don't seem to bother him. My dentist sounds very like yours (very enthusiastic) and was keen to let me shougle them (with the gag in) as he was explaining about the shallow roots, and why they cause bother and generally are removed. I am almost 100% sure that they were in the top only, as you suggest.

 

[Wally]

Unless there is a real problem with wolf teeth I leave well alone.

 

[Jessey]

Both of mine have only had wolf teeth in the top jaw, I don't think bottom ones are very common, but if your dentist looks at that many mouths (which obviously he will do ) then he may just not think of it as odd as he sees quite a few like that????

 

[julia gulia]

I only just saw this thread and was curious as to what your dentist said . Can you post an update please thoroughlybred?

 

[thoroughlybred1]

hi julia,

The dentist said it was true that you dont get many in the lower jaw, and can be trickier to remove, but usually cause problems when left in

 

[maverick927]

Yep, wolf teeth on the lower jaw are very raw. I was told I would be lucky to see 2 in a lifetime...this year I've seen three!
They are certainly tricky to remove as you have to go in from above, and horses suddenly become very tall when you are pulling out wolf teeth.

It is possible that the wolf tooth on the lower jaw came up after the two upper ones where removed, but I'd say it was more likely to have been missed, but wasn't there to see it before and after vet, so can't judge.

I have to say that I prefer wolf teeth out than in. but that's because 9/10 have small roots so wooble about when the bit is sitting on them. There are always exceptions!