High Prevalence of Orodental Disorders in South Brazilian Cart Horses: Walking a Tightrope Between Animal Welfare and Socioeconomic Inevitability

Abstract

In developing and emerging countries, many people make a living from picking municipal solid waste to sell for reuse or recycling. These people depend on cost-effective transport vehicles like horse-drawn carts. It is indisputable that the general health of these horses not only plays a major economic role but is a welfare issue as well. Orodental disorders are likely to be of particular importance as they directly impair health, performance, and therefore influence animal welfare and income. However, studies investigating prevalence and distribution of orodental disorders in working horses are scarce. This cross-sectional study is a survey of orodental alterations in 70 South Brazilian urban mixed-breed cart horses. All animals were subjected to a standardized clinical and subsequent specific orodental examination, and no horse had previously received dental treatment. Age and gender-related distribution and correlation of type and prevalence of orodental disorders were assessed. Excessively sharp enamel points (98.6%), cheek tooth diastema (65.7%), and mucosal ulcers (65.7%) occurred most frequently. Diastemata were more likely to be present between maxillary and mandibular Triadan 06/07 and mandibular 10/11. Male horses showed a higher individual number of orodental alterations than females ( P = .048). Incisors were often worn down and endodontically affected, occurring most frequently in horses >18 years ( P = .004) and males ( P = .048). Results indicate a high prevalence of orodental changes among South Brazilian cart horses. Poor orodental health in working horses is an animal welfare issue and may be influenced by the socioeconomic status of waste pickers.

Computed Tomography (CT)-Assisted 3D Cephalometry in Horses: Interincisal Angulation of Clinical Crowns

“…This combination of findings supports the conceptual premise that mechanical stimuli, likely differing by tooth position, may be of great etiological importance in the EOTRH syndrome complex. Interestingly, Kunz et al (48) reported that they have found no signs of EOTRH in 70 Brazilian working horses, aged 18 ± 4 years, which have never had any dental treatment. How dental treatment, tooth curvature, and direction and rate of tooth eruption affect IIA changes remains unclear.…”

The facultative human oral pathogen Prevotella histicola in equine cheek tooth apical/ periapical infection: a case report

“…(2009) identified 90 % of investigated infundibula showing at least mild infundibular lesions, but in only 65 % visible changes on the occlusal surface occurred [ 51 ]. In a study examining mainly middle-aged working horses, we previously observed a 32.9 % prevalence of cheek tooth occlusal infundibular caries lesions [ 52 ]. Similarly, in the presented case, carious occlusal changes of the tooth 209 were less severe compared to the extensive subocclusal process.…”

The Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases of Working Equids in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review

“…Among the diseases reported by owners in eligible publications covering multiple diseases, dental disorders may have severe economic consequences due to their secondary effects such as weight loss and colic [99,103]. Since dental disorders are preventable diseases, evidence of their socioeconomic impact could facilitate investments in the education of owners and veterinary personnel and in the distribution of dental equipment to veterinary facilities [104].…”