Do dairy cows ever require dental work?

[Amy Grisak]

I'm researching an article, and wondered if dairy cattle ever require dental work like horses or alpacas? I don't think it's very common, if it happens at all, but wondered if there are any situations when their teeth are an issue?

Thanks much!
Amy

[Ronney]

Amy, both beef and dairy cattle sometimes require dental work but it isn't common as in most cases the animals never get to live to be old enough for their teeth to become a problem. And often people don't recognise that the problem with their skinny cow is it's teeth!

Oddly, my vet was just saying the other day that he'd been called out to do teeth on a couple of elderly but favourite dairy cows so it does happen.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[Amy Grisak]

Thank you, Ronnie! That's good to know. I figured the dairy cattle would be the best bet since their beef counterparts didn't spend as much time on this earth. I'll have to add dairy cows to the list.

Best,
Amy

[Dodgegal79]

Yeah I would believe their back teeth would have problems like horses would. In the front they only have teh bottom teeth, so if they become bad and fall out, they could loose their ability to bite the grass off. The other day I seen dentures for sheep for when they loose their front teeth, which does happen when a sheep gets older or lives on rough pasture.

[Tad]

Well I am 28 years old, been around cows all my life and we have never had a tooth problem. Not saying it couldn't happen, had a two headed calf, had cows get stuck in really wierd places but no teeth problems. Old Minnie made it to 19 with no problem and another just turned 14 the end of last moth and still going strong.