location440 Nicholson Rd, Forrestdale WA 6112

Equine Wellness Services

Comprehensive Care Beyond the Smile

Comprehensive Care Beyond the Smile

Dental Vet also offers a range of general equine health services as optional add-ons. It’s our way of providing greater convenience and continuity of care to our clients.

Our veterinarians can perform vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood tests for metabolic disease, radiographs, lameness work-ups, and euthanasia services.

The Little Extras that Make a Big Difference

The Little Extras that Make a Big Difference

Vaccinations:
Vaccinations are an essential protective healthcare to safeguard your horse against disease. These are administered via intramuscular injection, with the most common equine vaccines in Western Australia being against tetanus and strangles.

Microchipping:
Microchipping is also essential for your horse. Microchipping is a permanent identification that’s crucial for emergencies, competition, biosecurity compliance, and ownership changes. Microchipping is a quick, safe procedure and we use local anaesthetic to make sure it is also less stressful.

Faecal Egg Counts (FEC):
FECs are a diagnostic tool that measures the number of parasite eggs per gram of faeces, used to tailor deworming schedules. Targeted parasite control helps prevent colic, poor condition, and resistance to deworming medications.

We collect a small faecal sample and analyse it under a microscope. Based on results, we recommend a worming protocol suitable for your horse’s age, environment and risk level.

Drenching:
If sand is auscultated during our initial examination or found on abdominal radiographs, we can drench your horse to help remove the sand and discuss other management solutions for at home.

Blood Testing:
Comprehensive blood work to screen for metabolic disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Cushing’s Disease (PPID), or for routine blood tests if there are any concerns. Early detection allows for effective management and reduces the risks of laminitis and other complications.

Most blood samples can be taken during your appointment before the administration of sedation. Results are then interpreted by our veterinarians, who will explain any findings and advise on the next steps.

Radiographs & Diagnostic Imaging:
Digital X-rays and imaging are used to diagnose dental disease, sand accumulation, lameness, or other internal conditions. Many conditions, such as most serious dental conditions, sand accumulation or subtle fractures, can be invisible externally. Radiographs allow early and accurate diagnosis.

Portable digital radiography units allow us to take clear images in-clinic or on-property. Sedation is used for your horse’s comfort.

Lameness Work-Ups
A detailed diagnostic assessment to identify the source of pain or irregular movement in your horse’s limbs, joints, or back. Even subtle lameness can affect performance, comfort, and long-term soundness. Early assessment allows for timely management and helps prevent small issues becoming chronic problems.

Our veterinarians can assess lameness concerns and help develop a practical management plan tailored to your horse’s history, workload, and presentation. Examinations may include gait observation in-hand and on the lunge, palpation of limbs and joints, flexion testing, and, where appropriate, diagnostic imaging.

We manage lameness cases that are suitable for on-property or in-clinic assessment. If a more extensive investigation is required, such as ultrasound or advanced lameness diagnostics, we will arrange referral to a clinic with necessary facilities. This will ensure your horse receives the most appropriate care.

Some lameness assessments require additional time, so booking in advance is preferred to guarantee availability. You can add these services to your dental appointment, or discuss your concerns with our team at the time of booking.

Equine Dentistry

Equine Dentistry

Routine dental maintenance, including comprehensive examination of all dental and oral tissues as well as a full dental chart with recommendations.

Read More Read More
Lifetime Dental Care

Lifetime Dental Care

Our vets will work with you and your horse on a comprehensive and tailored preventative dental care plan.

Read More Read More
Advanced Dental Procedures

Advanced Dental Procedures

Performing everything from endodontics, restorations, extractions and treating advanced periodontal disease.

Read More Read More
Equine Wellness Services

Equine Wellness Services

These include wellness consultations, vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood testing for metabolic disease, radiographs, euthanasia services and lameness work ups.

Read More Read More
In-Clinic Services

In-Clinic Services

Take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities our clinic has to offer. We are equipped with stables and yards with post, rail and mesh fencing and reticulated paddocks for your convenience. Clients can leave their horses for dental treatments, or stay and watch.

Read More Read More
Mobile Services

Mobile Services

While we pride ourselves on our industry-leading clinic, we also bring premium care directly to your property when needed. Our mobile units are fully equipped to bring the same quality of care wherever you are.

Read More Read More

FAQs

Where in Perth is Dental Vet located?

Dental Vet is based at 440 Nicholson Road, Forrestdale WA, just south of Perth. Our purpose-built equine dental clinic provides a calm, safe space for routine and advanced dental procedures. As fully qualified veterinarians, we can also provide our patients with a range of wellness services for your convenience.

The clinic is just off Armadale Road. It’s also worth noting that there are two driveways onto the property. The first driveway when heading south down Nicholson Road, which usually has a Dental Vet sign out the front, is the driveway to access the clinic. Look for the big grey gates and push the button to open them.

Does Dental Vet offer a mobile service?

While we love welcoming clients to our state-of-the-art clinic, we also understand that sometimes on-farm consultations and treatments are preferred for your convenience.

Our fully equipped mobile service is available throughout Perth’s south-east corridor and nearby regions, including Perth, Armadale, Byford, Oakford, and Serpentine. However we can travel as far south as Harvey, east to Toodyay or north to Lower Chittering, typically anywhere around 100km of the Forrestdale clinic.

If you’re unsure whether we can visit your area, get in touch and we’ll be happy to confirm.

What does Dental Vet do?

We’re Western Australia’s only dedicated equine dental veterinary clinic, offering both comprehensive routine and advanced equine dentistry. Our services include dental examinations, floating, extractions, fillings, root canal therapy, periodontal therapy, and oral X-rays.

As part of your appointment, we offer a variety of wellness services for your convenience. Our veterinarians can perform vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood tests for metabolic disease, radiographs and lameness work-ups.

We also pride ourselves on providing compassionate care and thorough examinations, so we provide sedation for our patients for their comfort and to allow us to properly diagnose and treat any dental pathology present.

Who performs the dental work?

All procedures are carried out by registered veterinarians Dr Kirsten Jackson and Dr Victoria Kö-Peternelj, veterinarians with postgraduate qualifications in equine dentistry. Each has extensive training and provides clinical and educational support for referring veterinarians.

As veterinary surgeons, they can administer sedation safely, diagnose complex dental issues, carry out patient wellness assessments and perform advanced medical or surgical treatments.

Our Veterinary Nurse Kelly Dunford and Veterinary Assistant Meg Burns support every procedure, ensuring each appointment runs smoothly and that your horse remains calm and comfortable throughout.

What equine animals does Dental Vet treat?

Dental Vet provides care for all equine species including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Our team is experienced in managing the unique dental needs of each, ensuring every patient, from the smallest miniature to the largest draft horse, receives safe, effective and compassionate treatment.

Why is equine dental care important?

Dental problems can cause pain, weight loss and behavioural problems. Many horses hide discomfort until it becomes severe. Unfortunately by the time they present symptoms, the issue has usually escalated to severe infections and disease which can impact the lifespan of their smile and overall health. For ridden horses, placing a bit in a painful mouth can make them resist, act out, or even become dangerous. Studies show almost 60% of Western Australian horses have some form of peripheral caries, often linked to local diet and water pH 1. This highlights why regular, professional veterinary dental examinations are essential for horse health in our region.

See More

Whether you've got a new foal, referring a patient for review, or are worried about your horse's wellbeing, we're here to help!

Refer a Case Make an Appointment