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5,-months - Permanent incisors have
erupted. I 3 is not yet in wear.
6 months- Permanent canines have
erupted (see Fig. 1-8). r/2 years. Cusp is worn off lower II. is.2y2 years. Cusp
is worn off lower 12. y/2 years. Cusp is worn off upper I 1. 4V2 years. Cusp is
worn off upper 12.
5 years. Cusp of lower I 3 is
slightly worn. The occlusal surfaces of lower I 1 and I 2 are rectangular. The
canines are slightly worn.
6 years. Cusp is worn off lower I 3.
Canines are worn blunt. Lower canine shows impression of upper I 3 (see Fig.
1-8).
7 years. Lower I 1 is worn down to
the root, so that the occlusal surface is elongated in the labiolin-gual
direction.
8 years. Occlusal surface of the
lower I 1 is beveled in front. ;
10 years. Lower I 2 and upper I 1
have occlusal surfaces elongated labiolingually (see Fig. 1-8). 12 years. I Is
begin to fall out. ,, ,;
16 years. Incisors are gone. , 20
years. Loss of canines occurs.
The cheek teeth erupt at about 6
months. In connection with tooth extraction in the dog, it is of interest that
the last three upper teeth have triple roots. (P 4, M 1, M 2). All the first
premolars and the last lower molars have one root. All the other cheek teeth
have two roots.
How Old Is My
Horse--Telling a horses age by its teeth
Don't forget to read "Basics
of Using Teeth to Tell Age" before trying to use this information.
The dental formula for foals is:
2(Di3/3 Dc 0/0 Dp
3/3) = 24
The dental formula for adult horses
is:
2(I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3-4/3 M 3/3) = 40 to
42
Adult teeth are indicated with
capital letters. I = incisors, P = pre-molar and M = Molar.
Deciduous teeth (baby) teeth are labled beginning with a "D" for decidious and
the letter indicating the type tooth is in small case. ie.. i for incisor,
p for premolar and m for molar.
Aging horses is easier than any
other animal as far as I am concerned. Once you learn what you are looking
at (look at lots of teeth!) you spot the markers immediately and with
confidence. It sounds complicated but it is not. Print this and take
it to the barn with you. Look at every set of teeth you can.
Practice does make perfect!
The most valuable criterion for
estimating age is eruption, the tooth breaking through the gum. It is necessary
at this time to be able to tell deciduous from permanent teeth. Deciduous teeth
are smaller, have a constricted neck, show many fine longitudinal grooves on the
labial (tongue) surface, and, at the time of replacement, are well worn (see
Fig. 1-3).
At eruption the permanent teeth are
covered by yellow cement, whereas the remaining deciduous teeth are white, the
cement having been worn off the-enamel. Permanent incisors have one large
central groove on the labial surface. During the period of eruption, it is only
necessary to part the lips and determine which permanent incisors have erupted.
The best results will be attained with minimum disturbance of the animal. After
eruption, it takes about 6 months for the tooth to grow out far enough to be in
wear. When the preliminary examination reveals that all of the permanent lower
incisors are in wear, the mouth must be opened far enough to see the occlusal
(chewing) surfaces and to evaluate the degree of wear. Even then
strong-arm measures such as seizure of the tongue should be avoided. The horse
can usually be induced to display the worn surfaces of the lower incisors if the
examiner grasps the upper lip and lower jaw and inserts a finger into the
diastema (space where there are no teeth on the jaw).

The changes caused by wear of the
occlusal surfaces are shown in Figure 1-1 and are brought into relation with the
anatomy of the tooth. Notice that the infundibular enamel is continuous with the
outer enamel when the tooth first erupts. When the crest where they meet is worn
off, the dentin is exposed. The bottom of the infundibulum contains cement, so
that when the infundibulum is worn down to that level it no longer has a cup to
hold black decaying feed. Only the enamel spot is left. Because the pulp cavity
is on the labial side of the infundibulum, the dental star formed by the closure
of the pulp cavity is in the same relation to the enamel spot.
The wearing process begins on the
mesiolabial side of the occlusal surface. When the entire surface is in wear,
the outer and inner enamel rings are completely separated by yellow dentin, and
the tooth is said to be level. Evidence derived from the eruption and leveling
of the teeth should be given more weight than the signs discussed subsequently.
The disappearance of the black
cavity or cup in the infundibulum is often used to estimate age. This sign is
not reliable because it depends upon the depth of the enamel infundibulum and
the amount of cement in the bottom, both of which are variable. The cups are
supposed to disappear from lower I 1, I2, and I 3 at 6, 7, and 8 years, but this
sign should be disregarded if it is not in agreement with the leveling of the
teeth. For example, if the cup is gone from I 1, but I 3 is not yet in wear, the
age is probably less than 5 years-not 6 years (see Fig. 1-3). The cup often
persists in I 3 in horses older than 8 years.
After the cup has disappeared, the
bottom of the infundibulum remains, first as a long oval
Wi@m off the-enamel. Permanent
incisors have one large central groove on the labial surface. During the period
of eruption, it is only necessary to part the lips and determine which permanent
incisors have erupted. The best results will be attained with minimum
disturbance of the animal. After eruption, it takes about 6 months for the tooth
to grow out far enough to be in wear. When the preliminary examination reveals
that all of the permanent lower incisors are in wear, the mouth must be opened
far enough to see the occlusal surfaces and to evaluate the degree of wear. Even
then strong-arm measures such as seizure of the tongue should be avoided. The
horse can usually be induced to display the worn surfaces of the lower incisors
if the examiner grasps the upper lip and lower jaw and inserts a finger into the
diastema.
The changes caused by wear of the
occlusal surface are shown in Figure 1-1 and are brought into relation with the
anatomy of the tooth. Notice that the infundibular enamel is continuous with the
outer enamel when the tooth first erupts. When the crest where they meet is worn
off, the dentin is exposed. The bottom of the infundibulum contains cement, so
that when the infundibulum is worn down to that level it no longer has a cup to
hold black decaying feed. Only the enamel spot is left. Because the pulp cavity
is on the labial side of the infundibulum, the dental star formed by the closure
of the pulp cavity is in the same relation to the enamel spot.
The wearing process begins on the
mesiolabial side of the occlusal surface. When the entire surface is in wear,
the outer and inner enamel rings are completely separated by yellow dentin, and
the tooth is said to be level. Evidence derived from the eruption and leveling
of the teeth should be given more weight than the signs discussed subsequently.
The disappearance of the black
cavity or cup in the infundibulum is often used to estimate age. This sign is
not reliable because it depends upon the depth of the enamel infundibulum and
the amount of cement in the bottom, both of which are variable. The cups are
supposed to disappear from lower I 1, 12, and I 3 at 6, 7, and 8 years, but this
sign should be disregarded if it is not in agreement with the leveling of the
teeth. For example, if the cup is gone from I 1, but I 3 is not yet in wear, the
age is probably less than 5 years-not 6 years (see Fig. 1-3). The cup often
persists in I 3 in horses older than 8 years.
After the cup has disappeared, the
bottom of the infundibulum remains, first as a long oval containing cement, then
as a small round spot of enamel near the lingual side of the tooth.
Disappearance of the enamel spot varies from 13 to 16 years (see Fig. 1-4).
The dental star is the darker dentin
that fills the pulp cavity as the tooth wears. It appears first as a dark yellow
transverse line in the dentin on the labial side of the infundibulum of lower I
1 at 8 years. As the enamel spot recedes toward the lingual side, the dental
star becomes oval and moves to the middle of the occlusal surface. It reaches
this position in all the lower incisors when the animal is about 13 years old.
At 15 years the dental stars are round. The star should not be confused with the
enamel spot, which wears more slowly than the dentin and therefore remains
elevated.
The shape of the occlusal surface
changes as the tooth is worn down. It is at first oval, with the long diameter
extending from side to side. Then the lingual border becomes much more strongly
curved, the two diameters become equal, and the tooth is said to be round,
although its actual shape is that of an equilateral triangle with round comers.
The term triangular is applied to the wearing surface when the labiolingual
dimension or altitude of the triangle is longer than the labial border. In the
final stage, when the root is exposed in very old horses, the wearing surface is
oval, with the long diameter in the labiolingual direction. The transitional
forms are hard to classify, and I 3 does not follow the pattern. The following
table gives the most reliable stages in this process.
|
Incisor |
Round |
Triangular |
| 1 |
9
years |
16
years |
| 2 |
10
years |
17
years |
The so-called seven-year hook is the
result of the failure of the lower I 3 to wear all of the "occlusal surface of
the upper I 3. An overhang is left at the back of the upper tooth. This hook is
supposed to appear at 7, wear off at 9, and appear again at 11 years. The hook
may or may not be present in any horse over 6 years old."' "In one study, about
60 percent of the horses in any age class from 8 to 18 years had the hook on one
side or the other or on both sides. "

Galvayne's groove is a longitudinal
mark in the labial surface of upper I 3. The cement in the groove remains as a
dark line, whereas that on the rest of the tooth is worn off to expose the white
enamel. The groove is located midway in the length of the tooth; it is at first
concealed in the alveolus, then gradually emerges from under the gum as the
tooth grows out, and finally disappears as the ungrooved proximal part of the
tooth comes into view. According to Galvayne, the groove appears at the gum line
at 10 years, extends halfway down the tooth at 15 years, reaches the wearing
surface at 20 years, and disappears by 30 years. The groove is of little value
as a single indicator of age. If it is present, the horse is probably over 10
years old. The length of the groove or the absence of it can only be used in
conjunction with other signs (Fig. 1-2).

There are three other general
indications of age. (1) When the teeth are viewed in profile, the angle between
the upper and lower incisors becomes more acute with age. (2) When the teeth are
viewed from the front, they are seen to diverge from the median plane in a young
horse and to converge in an old one. (3) The arcade of the incisors when seen
from the occlusal surface is a semicircle in the young horse and a straight line
in the older animal.
The more useful signs are arranged
chronologically in the following list:
1 week. Di 1 has erupted.
1 month. Di 2 has erupted.
8 months. Di 3 has erupted.
1 year. Di 1 and Di 2 are in wear.
Upper and lower Di 3 are not in contact. There is no deciduous canine.
2 years. Di 1 and Di 2 are level,
Di 3 is in wear. It is easy to confuse this stage with the adult if the
general appearance of the animal and the differences between deciduous and
permanent incisors are not considered.
2'/2 years. I 1 erupts.
3 1/2 years. I 2 erupts.
4'/2 years. I 3 erupts.
5 years. I 1 and I 2 are level,
labial border of I 3 is in wear. Canines erupt at 4 to 5 years, usually only
in males.
6 years. Cup is gone from I 1.
7 years. All lower incisors are
level. Cup is gone from I 2. Hook is in upper I 3. Cement has worn off,
changing the color from yellow to bluish-white.
8 years. Dental star appears in I
1. Cup is gone from I'3.
9 years. I 1 is round.
10 years. I 2 is round. Galvayne's
groove begins to emerge from the gum on upper I 3. 13 years. The enamel spot
is small and round in the lower incisors. The dental stars are in the middle
of the occlusal surfaces.
15 years. Dental stars are round,
dark, and distinct. Galvayne's groove extends halfway down to the occlusal
surface.
16 years. I 1 is triangular.
17 years. I 2 is triangular.
Enamel spots are gone from lower incisors.
In addition to the changes in the
incisors, it is important in dentistry to know that the permanent premolars
erupt as follows: P 1 (wolf tooth) at 5 to 6 months, P 2 at 2'/2 years, P 3 at 3
years', P 4 at 4 years. The molars erupt: M 1 at 1 year, M 2 at 2 years, M 3 at
31/2 to 4 years. Note that the large cheek teeth erupt at ages that correspond
with their numerical designations.
The upper cheek teeth are slightly
lateral to the lower cheek teeth; therefore, the labial edge of the upper cheek
teeth and lingual edge of the lower cheek teeth do not wear and must be filed
(floated) to prevent injury to the lip and palate. Caps are remnants of
deciduous teeth that remain attached to the erupting surfaces of permanent
teeth.

How to brush your pets
teeth
Prevention of dental disease should be
included as part of your pet’s overall preventive medicine program, just like
vaccinations.
Tooth brushing doesn't happen overnight. It requires training, just like “sit,”
“stay” and “come.” First, select a convenient time when you and your pet are
both relaxed. For the first few days, simply hold your pet as you normally do
when petting him/her. Gently stroke the outside of your pet’s cheeks with your
finger for a minute or two. Then, after a few days, place a small amount of
C.E.T. Toothpaste on your finger and let your pet sample the flavor. Pets love
the flavors of C.E.T. Toothpastes, and soon will consider it a treat.
Next, introduce your pet to a C.E.T. Toothbrush or Fingerbrush. Place a small
amount of C.E.T. Toothpaste on the brush and gently brush one tooth with a slow
circular motion. Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed until you’ve
built up to 30 seconds of brushing per side. It is important to reward your pet
with a healthy treat and plenty of praise after every step of this process.
Soon, both you and your pet will look forward to the time you spend together
during this important health care procedure.
As with any other routine, it’s best to begin a dental care program when pets
are young puppies or kittens. Follow up home care with regular complete dental
cleaning by your veterinarian.
For more information about pet dental health
and C.E.T. Home Dental Care for your pets, consult your veterinarian. Ask how
you can get on the path to better pet dental health. Your pet will love you
longer for it!
| Canine
 |
The brush should be rotated in a
circular fashion at a 45 degree angle with emphasis on the stroke away
from the gingiva.
|
Feline
 |
New products for
February 2003
Click on any blue
word or picture to go to that product on the site. This will open an new
window. To return to the newsletter, simply close the open window by
clicking on the "x" in the upper, right hand corner or you can start shopping
from the open window.
C.E.T.
Hextras
C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews with Chlorhexidine are patented and available
exclusively through veterinarians.
C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews combine the mechanical action of rawhide, the
renowned antimicrobial power of chlorhexidine and the trusted C.E.T. name in a
convenient, palatable chew for dogs. They come in petite, medium,
large and x-large.
 C.E.T.
Oral Hygiene Chews for cats are made from freeze-dried fish, provide an
abrasive texture for removal of plaque and contain the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme
antibacterial/antiplaque system. Available in fish or poultry flavor.
C.E.T. Oral
Hygiene Chews for dogs are made from select beef hide and are coated with
the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme System for added antibacterial action and superior plaque
control. Basted with a great poultry flavor dogs love! Available in sizes for
all dogs from petite to extra large.
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse combines 0.12% Chlorhexidine and Zinc Gluconate in
a plaque-fighting formulation that may be used with or without brushing. It also
contains Cetylpyridinium chloride for fresh breath fast. A unique bent-stem
applicator is also included for easy administration.

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Gel uses the same 0.12% Chlorhexidine and Zinc Gluconate
combination as C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse. The thick consistency of the gel
allows for prolonged contact time on tooth surfaces, and the unique Dial-a-Dose
Syringe makes for easy application. Use with or without brushing. 32 ml
dial a dose syringe.

 C.E.T.
Toothbrushes come in a wide variety of sizes and designs to fit the needs of all
pets and their owners.
There are many more dental products on the site!!
Unlike common petroleum-based products, which can
interfere with your cat's ability to absorb nutrients, the natural oils found in
Vetbasis Hairball
Gel won't interfere with nutrient absorption. In fact, Vetbasis Hairball Gel
is enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and Taurine to keep cats healthy while
allowing hairballs to pass naturally through their systems.

Hypoallergenic Smoked
Buffalo Bones Dog Treats

These smoked buffalo bones are the
treat of choice for allergic dogs. Most dogs have never been fed buffalo so
there is no way to have an allergic reaction to it! That makes them
hypoallergenic! Each shank in 3 to 5 inches long and 6 to 10 ounces.
Individually shrink wrapped.
These are shank sections and full of tasty marrow. They provide hours of chewing
pleasure for the most finicky dog. $1.99
**Remember -- chewing on bones is
great for the teeth and gums! **
New Category
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Tape, Gauze, Surgical Instruments,
Surgical Scrub, Surgical Drape, Co-Flex.....
Hemostats
Thumb Forceps
Needle Holders

3 Easy Steps to
Healthy Teeth
1. Chew
More than just a reward for good
behavior! Treat your pet every day to great-tasting
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews. For dogs and cats of all sizes, C.E.T. Chews are
easy to chew and digest and are tasty too! Select from beef hide for
dogs or freeze dried fish for
cats.
Chews have C.E.T.’s exclusive antibacterial system and time-tested Dual-Enzyme
System to control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup. They can be fed as a
treat once a day (on non-brushing days) or as directed by your veterinarian.
Chews are the easiest method of care for pet owners but should be used with
brushing for best results.
2. Rinse
If it’s difficult for you to brush at
first, C.E.T. antiplaque
Oral Hygiene Rinse and Gel provide antibacterial action and superior plaque
prevention. Rinse and gel are easy to use—just apply between your pet’s cheek
and gum for plaque control without brushing.
A soothing, refreshing and palatable solution, C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse quickly
covers the entire mouth, reaching even those difficult areas.
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Gel’s high viscosity adhesiveness increases the contact time
in your pet’s mouth for maximum plaque removal. Its mild seafood flavor appeals
to both dogs and cats.
Both contain ZincChlorhexidate™, a powerful proven agent that fights plaque
without brushing
3. Brush
Daily tooth brushing is the best at-home
method of ensuring your pet will enjoy good dental health. It’s easy, quick, and
can be fun for both you and your pet.
See "How to
Brush Your Pet's Teeth"
Start with a healthy mouth, following a complete cleaning by your veterinarian,
using C.E.T.’s specially designed soft-bristle
toothbrushes
and pet-pleasing toothpastes. Choose the C.E.T. Fingerbrush, a great
starter, which slips over your finger to gently brush your pet’s tooth surfaces
and gum line.
C.E.T. also offers the Mini Toothbrush for cats and small dogs, an angled Cat
Brush with tufted bristles, a small triangular-headed Pet Toothbrush, and the
Dual-Ended Toothbrush with large and small angled heads to brush all teeth.
C.E.T. Toothpastes make brushing a breeze! In flavors pets love, toothpastes are
meant to be swallowed and come in two formulas—C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in
poultry, malt or vanilla-mint flavors and C.E.T. Tartar-Control Toothpaste, a
more abrasive formula with strengthened enzyme system in seafood or beef flavor.
C.E.T.
Toothpaste fights plaque fast!
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