RURAL VETERINARY ^ECRET^ 



49 



FAULTY AND IRREGULAR TEETH 



Animals, like man, are subject to irregular, decayed or broken 

 teeth. Of all the lower animals, the horse appears to have the most 

 trouble in this connection, due probably to the fact that it feeds 

 more on whole grain, especially oats. Oats is liable to contain small 

 stones and pieces of nails and bolts, such as often get into the oats 

 while threshing or cleaning. When the animal, in its eagerness 

 while hungry bites into these hard objects, it is liable to break or 

 split one or more teeth, thus causing acute sensitiveness, excessive 

 salivation, and inability to properly masticate the food thereafter, 

 besides starting favorable openings for decomposition of the teeth, 

 in which particles of food substances may lodge and decompose. 



PLATE 3 



Lower third molar growing into cavity where upper 



corresponding molar is missing. 



If decay works deeply into a split tooth, it is liable to cause 

 stubborn fistulas of the jaw, attended with a discharge of an of- 

 fensive odor from the nostrils, which invariably indicates decay of 

 bone. When a tooth is broken off, the corresponding tooth in the 

 opposite jaw upon which it is supposed to grind, wull begin to grow 

 into the cavity. (See Plate 3.) In these cases there may be a sharp 

 projection an inch or more in length. If this is the case the animal 

 will cud its hay and spit it out. 



