DENTISTRY FOR CATTLE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 October 1922, Page 9

DENTISTRY FOR CATTLE.

Dentistry for cattle is far more necessary than is generally understood. There are three temporary ot milk premolar (grinder) teeth above and below in each jaw, or twelve in all. They are usually present at birth.' The first and second of these temporary teeth are replaced "by permanent ones at from one year and nine months to two years and three months, and the.thlrd temporally pre-molar at two years three months io two years nine months. It is quite common, however, for the shells ,or crowns of these temporary pre-molars to be tardy in shedding or to* lodge between the gums and cheeks. When this occurs, particularly when cattle are from one year arid nine months to two years and six months old, they appear to have tuberculosis or some tother debilitating disease. They are hidebound, tucked up, thin, thriftless, listless, sluggish, lack appetite, and sometimes scour profusely. When such symptoms are noticed the teeth should at Qnce< be examined, and the lodged ! milk tooth crowns removed with forceps.