04 January 2024

Fig urgently needed help to graze free from pain

When the left side of Fig’s face was painfully swollen around the bridge of her nose, she was brought to the Redwings Horse Hospital straight away for assessment.

Fig was two-and-a-half years old, and her permanent teeth were growing and replacing her deciduous or ‘milk’ teeth. One milk tooth was being retained in Fig’s upper jaw and removing it helped a new molar erupt normally and alleviate the pain she was feeling.

Donate to the appeal

£16

could help pay for an X-ray to find the source of a rescued pony or donkey's dental pain

£22

could help to pay for dental hand tools that are vital for examining and caring for teeth and gums.

£29

could help meet the cost of regular dental assessments and treatments throughout the year.

Problems persist

The swelling on Fig’s face initially reduced following her treatment but returned after a few weeks and a small area over the bridge of her nose began to discharge, a clear sign of infection.

An X-ray of Fig’s face revealed that the roots of the newly erupted tooth were infected and were the source of the discomfort and swelling. The only option was to extract the tooth, as without treatment, there was a risk the infection would spread to other parts of her jaw.

“Extracting a permanent molar from a young pony is not a decision made lightly, but in Fig’s case it was the only way forward. It’s a delight to see her now pain-free.”
Nicola Jarvis, Redwings Senior Veterinary Surgeon

Road to recovery

The Redwings vet team sedated Fig and extracted the affected tooth, removing the source of infection. A lot of follow-up care ensured that the site of the removed tooth was checked and flushed regularly, allowing the area to heal.

Fig recovered well from the operation and - free from pain - went on to become a confident pony who loves to be handled and adapts well to new situations.

Being able to respond quickly and effectively is vital to the wellbeing of our sanctuary residents.