We love working on cases involving significant periodontal disease. We find it incredibly rewarding to watch them transform into happier, brighter and more comfortable horses after treatment. It’s a constant reminder of why we chose this line of work.

One Dental Vet case that really highlights this transformation is Emilee, a sweet donkey who came to us struggling to eat comfortably. Her story perfectly illustrates how periodontal disease develops and why early, effective treatment can make such a difference.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common, most painful yet under-diagnosed dental conditions we see in equines. It affects the supporting tissues that hold the teeth in place; the gums, ligaments, outer layer of the teeth (cementum) and bone. When feed becomes trapped between teeth, bacteria begin to ferment it, triggering inflammation and infection. Over time, this breaks down the gums and the delicate ligaments that anchor each tooth to the bone.

In Emilee’s case, deviated teeth and small gaps between her cheek teeth (called diastemata) allowed hay and feed to wedge tightly between them. The trapped material began to rot, and her gums became red, swollen, and sore. She started dropping feed, chewing slower, and showing signs of pain around the face.

Horses and donkeys evolved to graze almost continuously, chewing coarse, fibrous forage that keeps their teeth evenly worn. In our modern domestic settings, diets are softer, feed times shorter, and natural wear reduced. Even small gaps between teeth can trap feed, allowing it to ferment and trigger painful gum inflammation. Genetic malocclusions and overgrowths, and other conditions such as deviated teeth or peripheral caries also predispose horses to periodontal disease.

When Emilee first visited us at Dental Vet, she was dropping feed and always washing her mouth out in the water trough (making quite a mess!). What looked like fussy eating and messy habits turned out to be her response to deep periodontal pockets filled with decaying hay and infection. Every chew caused pain, and the inflammation had begun eroding the ligaments that anchor her teeth.

Left untreated, this process can cause irreversible bone loss, abscesses, bone or sinus infections and tooth loss. The good news is that, with early intervention with the right care and proactive treatment, it can be one of the most rewarding recoveries to witness.

Treating periodontal disease goes beyond removing feed and applying medication, it’s about rebuilding comfort and trust. Under sedation, we thoroughly clean each pocket and flush the area with antiseptic, then if needed, apply targeted antibiotics to control infection.

In Emilee’s case, we also used dental impression material, a barrier that protected her healing gums and kept feed from re-entering those pockets. Within days, her chewing improved. Within weeks, her spark returned.

Horses and donkeys don’t show pain the way we do, they often hide discomfort for as long as they can. So being able to visibly see their relief speaks volumes.

Managing periodontal health means staying one step ahead. I tell owners that regular dental exams are as important as hoof trims or vaccinations- ‘no feet, no teeth, no horse’. With dental disease being so hidden it is often forgotten about and can become a huge source of unrecognised pain. For horses with a history of periodontal disease, shorter dental treatment intervals might be necessary.

Simple habits make a big difference too. Flushing your horse’s mouth with a hose works much like brushing their teeth, it helps dislodge debris before it can cause trouble. Choosing suitable feed, maintaining grazing time, regular dental care and noticing subtle signs early (like slow chewing or dropping feed) can stop small problems from becoming big ones.

If you’ve noticed subtle changes in how your horse eats or behaves, don’t wait. Book a dental assessment and give them the comfort they deserve.