Skip to main content
menu sluit menu
Home Home
Login
Main navigation
  • Library
  • Calendar
  • e-Learning
  • News
    • Veterinary News In this section you find veterinary news
    • Recent Additions All content that was recently added to the IVIS library
  • Get involved
    • Donate Support IVIS, make a donation today
    • Media kit Promote your e-learning & events on IVIS
    • Add your e-learning & events to the IVIS calendar
    • Publish on IVIS Publish your work with us
  • About
    • Mission Our Mission Statement
    • What we do More info about IVIS and what we do
    • Who we are More info about the IVIS team
    • Authors See list of all IVIS authors and editors
  • Contact
User tools menu
User tools menu
Main navigation
  • Library
  • Calendar
  • e-Learning
  • News
    • Veterinary News In this section you find veterinary news
    • Recent Additions All content that was recently added to the IVIS library
  • Get involved
    • Donate Support IVIS, make a donation today
    • Media kit Promote your e-learning & events on IVIS
    • Add your e-learning & events to the IVIS calendar
    • Publish on IVIS Publish your work with us
  • About
    • Mission Our Mission Statement
    • What we do More info about IVIS and what we do
    • Who we are More info about the IVIS team
    • Authors See list of all IVIS authors and editors
  • Contact
Follow IVIS
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Support IVIS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Library
  3. The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry
  4. Introduction
The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry
Back to Table of Contents
Add to My Library
Close
Would you like to add this to your library?

Get access to all handy features included in the IVIS website

  • Get unlimited access to books, proceedings and journals.
  • Get access to a global catalogue of meetings, on-site and online courses, webinars and educational videos.
  • Bookmark your favorite articles in My Library for future reading.
  • Save future meetings and courses in My Calendar and My e-Learning.
  • Ask authors questions and read what others have to say.
Sign in Register
Comments
Print this article
Share:
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Twitter

Introduction

Author(s):
The Donkey Sanctuary
In: The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry by Lilly G. and Evans L.
Updated:
JAN 08, 2021
Languages:
  • EN
Back to Table of Contents
Add to My Library
Close
Would you like to add this to your library?

Get access to all handy features included in the IVIS website

  • Get unlimited access to books, proceedings and journals.
  • Get access to a global catalogue of meetings, on-site and online courses, webinars and educational videos.
  • Bookmark your favorite articles in My Library for future reading.
  • Save future meetings and courses in My Calendar and My e-Learning.
  • Ask authors questions and read what others have to say.
Sign in Register
Print this article
SHARE:
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Twitter
    Read

    Equine dentistry is the study, care, diagnosis and treatment of pathology in the oral cavity, the maxillofacial area and the adjacent associated anatomical structures, and its impact on the general health and welfare of the equid.

    Throughout history, equids have been important for transport, agriculture and military work and early writings have been found about ageing by dentition, and how to perform procedures in the oral cavity.

    Some of the procedures described in the literature were painful and even barbaric, especially during the medieval era and beyond in Europe, when oral and dental theories and treatments were based on unscientific myths and superstitions. Examples include; cutting the lips to accommodate the bit, blaming wolf teeth for blindness and mental illness in horses, or the removal of the “lampas” (palatogingivitis that occurs in the rostral portion of the hard palate during the physiological eruption process of central incisors in young animals) by cautery or the use of sharp instruments.

    Unfortunately, the latter procedure is still a common practice among breeders, owners and even vets in many parts of the world. In addition to incising the palate and flushing with vinegar in thin older animals, operators are convinced that this inhumane procedure will relieve the animal of malaise of any origin, and will encourage improvements in eating.

    The relatively concealed nature of oral and dental disorders and a total lack of knowledge regarding equine dentistry led to the perpetuation of such procedures.

    The 18th and 19th centuries in Europe saw extraordinary advances in science that influenced all areas of knowledge and led to important improvements in the field of equine medicine. Diagnoses were now based on logic and evidence. Equine dentistry, however, was not considered a priority in the formal educational practices of that period; in spite of the flourishing new techniques and technology in this field, it was considered more of an art than a science.

    In the years following World War II, with the increasing interest in horses for sport and leisure purposes, the hypothetical benefits of dentistry in horses boosted the development of new dental equipment and procedures, although once again without the application of evidence-based scientific research. Indeed, up to the late 1970s there was no real scientific or clinical interest on the part of the academic world or the veterinary faculties in regard to equine dentistry, which was considered to be a minor issue. However, in 1981 the first non-veterinary equine dental schools began to appear in the United States of America, leading the way and giving rise to an increasing number of equine dental technicians practising across the world.

    Since then we’ve seen a totally new approach to veterinary dentistry, with equine dentistry following this trend in both veterinary and non-veterinary fields and becoming an increasingly progressive subject. Many high-quality scientific publications have appeared on the subjects of dental embryology, anatomy and the prevalence and aetiopathogenesis of pathology by gross, radiological, histological and ultra-structural examinations. These reflect the tremendous scientific advances in equine dentistry in both clinical and academic fields and among both veterinary and non-veterinary professionals. The dissemination of this knowledge has led to a new global perception of equine dentistry based on the principles of dentistry, medicine and surgery, with some universities and professionals recognising it as a science and as an area of paramount importance regarding equids’ health and welfare. Dentistry is now an integral part of the veterinary curricula of many vet schools.

    Nevertheless, the widespread teaching of veterinary dentistry in veterinary schools in many countries is now no more than a distant reality, although the global presence of non-veterinary equine dental schools has remained popular. In either instance, where dentistry is taught there is not always a clear distinction between academic teaching and clinical practice.

    From as recently as the start of the 21st century, several dental disciplines, first developed for humans and subsequently used in small animals, have been integrated into equine dentistry, such as orthodontics, endodontics, periodontology and restorative dentistry, in an attempt to preserve functional and health dentition. However, when extrapolating knowledge and effective clinical procedures from other species with brachydont teeth, account must be taken of the unique nature of equids’ teeth, which evolved to be hypsodont (long crowned) as an anatomical adaptation to the high level of attrition associated with their diet and with a unique continuous eruption/wearing process.

    The Skull of a donkey demonstrating species specific dentition.

    The Skull of a donkey demonstrating species specific dentition.

    The increasing use of ancillary diagnostic tests greatly improves the clinical capacity to achieve accurate diagnosis, particularly when imaging those parts of the head that cannot be properly examined during extra- and intra-oral examinations. Radiography is the most commonly used diagnostic method, especially with the advent of digital systems and the enhancement of radiographic technique for the equid head. Other imaging modalities such as oroscopy, ultrasonography, rhinoscopy, sinoscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear scintigraphy may be extremely helpful in making a more definitive diagnosis, but much of this technology may only be available in equine referral centres and university hospitals. However, the increasing affordability of equine dental oroscopes has seen a rise in uptake from veterinary and non-veterinary professionals alike.

    Although research and clinical work in horse dentistry has progressed substantially in recent years, specific knowledge regarding donkey dentistry is still somewhat behind. This is true in spite of the fact that donkeys
    have become popular as companion animals in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America, leading to a gradual increase in professional knowledge regarding the health and welfare of the donkey, and that scientific studies focused on donkey dentistry have been promoted by some of the most important charities working with donkeys worldwide.

    Recent investigations have demonstrated the similarity between the dental anatomy of the donkey and the horse, the prevalence of donkey dental disorders (through clinical and post-mortem reports) and the potential relationship between dental disease and systemic disorders, which enhances their deleterious effect on donkeys’ health. These studies emphasise the fact that the presence of dental disorders needs to be taken into account when assessing the welfare of donkeys.

    The Donkey Sanctuary places dental disease as the second most common veterinary problem encountered in the donkey, after disorders of the feet. Equine dentistry should therefore be considered to be prophylactic, reducing the development of clinically significant pathology and irreversible disease through the early diagnosis and treatment of oral and dental disorders in a conservative way. However, owners should be aware that clinical signs do not always manifest in the early stages and consequently there are a high number of animals suffering from asymptomatic dental and oral disorders – especially donkeys, which are often declared as stoic by nature. It has been shown that regular dental examinations and treatment have a positive effect on long-term dental health and therefore on the general health and welfare of the donkey. The lack of regular examination and preventative treatment in the donkey is therefore a welfare issue, given that even minor problems can in time cause pain and discomfort.

    This book is intended as a guide to the anatomical features of the head and oral cavity of the donkey, to offer a greater understanding of the oral and dental disorders that may affect these animals throughout their life, and how to correctly examine, diagnose, prevent and/or treat pathological situations.

    The images used in this handbook have been taken from the extensive libraries held by The Donkey Sanctuary and belonging to the contributors to the book.

    The contents of this book and additional information are available to download from our website at:

    https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/for-professionals

    The website will be updated as and when new information or research becomes available and you are invited to sign up for news feeds of updates.

    Lastly, we have produced a book that we are proud of, with contributions from multiple authors with an in depth knowledge and experience in this field. We hope that this is a valuable reference tool for all those working with donkeys globally.
     

    The Donkey Sanctuary
    Back to Table of Contents
    Add to My Library
    Close
    Would you like to add this to your library?

    Get access to all handy features included in the IVIS website

    • Get unlimited access to books, proceedings and journals.
    • Get access to a global catalogue of meetings, on-site and online courses, webinars and educational videos.
    • Bookmark your favorite articles in My Library for future reading.
    • Save future meetings and courses in My Calendar and My e-Learning.
    • Ask authors questions and read what others have to say.
    Sign in Register
    Print this article
    Comments (0)

    Ask the author

    0 comments
    Submit
    Close
    Would to like to further discuss this item?

    Get access to all handy features included in the IVIS website

    • Get unlimited access to books, proceedings and journals.
    • Get access to a global catalogue of meetings, on-site and online courses, webinars and educational videos.
    • Bookmark your favorite articles in My Library for future reading.
    • Save future meetings and courses in My Calendar and My e-Learning.
    • Ask authors questions and read what others have to say.
    Sign in Register
    About

    How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?

    The Donkey, S. (2021) “Introduction”, The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/clinical-companion-of-donkey-dentistry/introduction (Accessed: 28 May 2023).

    Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication

    Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU

    Author(s)

    • The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry

      The Donkey Sanctuary

      The Donkey Sanctuary,
      Read more about this author

    Copyright Statement

    © All text and images in this publication are copyright protected and cannot be reproduced or copied in any way.
    Related Content

    Readers also viewed these publications

    • Journal Issue

      Veterinary Evidence - Vol 8 N°2, Apr-Jun 2023

      In: Veterinary Evidence
      MAY 10, 2023
    • Proceeding

      NO Laminitis! Virtual Conference - 2021

      By: ECIR - Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.
      MAY 02, 2023
    • Proceeding

      BEVA - Annual Congress - Liverpool, 2022

      By: British Equine Veterinary Association
      MAR 20, 2023
    • Journal Issue

      Veterinary Evidence - Vol 8 N°1, Jan-Mar 2023

      In: Veterinary Evidence
      MAR 19, 2023
    • Proceeding

      AVEF - Conférence Annuelle - Reims, 2022

      By: Association des Vétérinaires Équins Français
      MAR 03, 2023
    • Proceeding

      EEHNC - Virtual Congress - 2021

      By: European Equine Health and Nutrition Congress
      FEB 09, 2023
    • Proceeding

      SFT - Theriogenology Annual Conference - Bellevue, 2022

      By: Society for Theriogenology
      JAN 10, 2023
    • Proceeding

      ACVIM & ECEIM - Consensus Statements

      By: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
      NOV 11, 2022
    • Journal Issue

      Veterinary Evidence - Vol 7 N°2, Apr-Jun 2022

      In: Veterinary Evidence
      OCT 07, 2022
    • Journal Issue

      Veterinary Evidence - Vol 7 N°3, Jul-Sep 2022

      In: Veterinary Evidence
      OCT 04, 2022
    • Journal Issue

      Veterinary Practice Management Articles - Veterinary Focus

      In: Veterinary Focus
      AUG 05, 2022
    • Chapter

      Skull and Mandible

      In: Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery (5th Edition)
      JUL 22, 2022
    • Chapter

      Nutrition

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      JUL 09, 2022
    • Chapter

      Pharmacology and Therapeutics

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      JUL 03, 2022
    • Chapter

      Sedation, Anaesthesia and Analgesia

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      JUN 05, 2022
    • Chapter

      Introduction

      In: Avian Health and Disease
      MAY 31, 2022
    • Chapter

      The Geriatric Donkey

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 20, 2022
    • Chapter

      Euthanasia and the Post-Mortem Examination

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 20, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 7: Example Diets: for the mature, pregnant and lactating donkey

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 2: Donkey Weight Estimator

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 1: The Clinical Examination

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 5: Monitoring your Donkey’s Quality of Life

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 6: Professional record of Assessment for Quality of Life

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 3: Body Condition Scoring

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Chapter

      Appendix 4: Parameters: Biochemistry and Haematology

      In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey (2nd Edition)
      MAY 12, 2022
    • Load more
    Buy this book

    Buy this book

    The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry is an easy reference book for professionals produced as part of a series of specialist books that will compliment The Clinical Companion of the Donkey. It enables us to share our vast knowledge and experience to improve the health and welfare of donkeys globally.

    Following on from the publication of The Clinical Companion of the Donkey, we plan to produce a series of in-depth specialist handbooks which will complement the handbook.

    This book is intended as a guide to the anatomical features of the head and oral cavity of the donkey, to offer a greater understanding of the oral and dental disorders that may affect these animals throughout their life, and how to correctly examine, diagnose, prevent and/or treat pathological situations. 

    Dentistry is the first topic to be published in this series, and we consider it to be an area which is extremely important to the health and welfare of donkeys globally, while being misunderstood and undervalued by many communities.

    This book allows us to share our vast knowledge and experience in donkey specific dentistry and has been produced as an easy reference and well-illustrated book, which we believe will not only increase awareness, but also the confidence of professionals in carrying out dental care and treatment in donkeys.

    Get your copy of The Clinical Companion of Donkey Dentistry click here.

    Back To Top
    Become a member of IVIS and get access to all our resources
    Create an account
    Sign in
    Leading the way in providing veterinary information
    About IVIS
    • Mission
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Need help?
    • Contact
    Follow IVIS
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS) is a not-for-profit organization established to provide information to veterinarians, veterinary students, technicians and animal health professionals worldwide using Internet technology.
    Support IVIS
    © 2023 International Veterinary Information Service
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy