EOTRH Syndrome in Polish Half-Bred Horses - Two Clinical Cases.
Authors: Górski Kamil, Tremaine Henry, Obrochta Bartłomiej, Buczkowska Roma, Turek Bernard, Bereznowski Andrzej, Rakowska Alicja, Polkowska Izabela
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: EOTRH Syndrome in Polish Half-Bred Horses Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) represents an increasingly recognised dental pathology affecting primarily older horses, yet its underlying aetiology remains poorly understood. Through two detailed clinical cases in Polish Half-Bred horses, Górski and colleagues illustrate the diagnostic and surgical approaches essential for identifying and managing this condition, which typically manifests as significant oral pain accompanied by periodontal disease, gingival recession, alveolar bone protrusion, and periosteal fistulation around the incisor teeth. The authors emphasise that early-stage EOTRH may present with minimal or no clinical signs, making integrated clinical and radiological examination critical to establishing diagnosis before irreversible damage occurs. Their case presentations highlight practical diagnostic and surgical techniques that equine practitioners can employ to improve patient outcomes and welfare, though the specific aetiology underlying EOTRH pathogenesis warrants continued investigation to refine treatment protocols and potentially identify preventative strategies. Given the condition's apparent prevalence in aged populations, farriers and veterinarians should maintain heightened awareness of subtle incisor pathology and consider EOTRH in differential diagnoses when evaluating horses presenting with oral discomfort or periodontal abnormalities.
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Practical Takeaways
- •EOTRH should be considered as a differential diagnosis in older horses presenting with oral pain and gingival changes; combined clinical and radiographic evaluation is essential for early detection
- •Surgical intervention may be indicated, but diagnostic and treatment protocols should be individualized based on disease stage and presentation
- •Practitioners should educate owners that EOTRH is becoming recognized as a common condition requiring specialized dental care to improve equine welfare outcomes
Key Findings
- •EOTRH is a common problem in older equine patients with oral pain as the most significant symptom
- •Clinical signs include periodontitis, gingivitis with gingival recession, alveolar bone protrusion, and incisor soreness
- •Early-stage EOTRH may present without clinical symptoms, requiring comparison of clinical and radiological examination findings for diagnosis
- •The etiology of EOTRH remains unclear despite recent descriptive reports of the disease