Changes

 

Due to a combination of factors, including the limited angle of opening to the mouth, the rostral positioning of the lip commisures (corners), and the length of their dental arcades, it is extremely difficult to visually examine the cheek teeth, particularly the caudal (back) cheek teeth. Palpation through the cheeks may reveal food pocketing or major irregularities (such as a missing tooth or a large overgrowth) of the cheek teeth, particularly of the front three to four upper cheek teeth. Even if no abnormality is palpated, the presence of pain (i.e. the donkey pulling away or flinching) during this procedure usually indicates the presence of sharp enamel overgrowths on the outside of the upper cheek teeth. Donkeys may show visibly restricted mandibular movements that may even be confined to one side of the mouth. By fixing the upper jaw with one hand, the degree of sideways mandibular movement and the animal’s response to this manipulation can be manually and visually assessed.

Due to a combination of factors, including the limited angle of opening to the mouth, the rostral positioning of the lip commisures (corners), and the length of their dental arcades, it is extremely difficult to visually examine the cheek teeth, particularly the caudal (back) cheek teeth. Palpation through the cheeks may reveal food pocketing or major irregularities (such as a missing tooth or a large overgrowth) of the cheek teeth, particularly of the front three to four upper cheek teeth. Even if no abnormality is palpated, the presence of pain (i.e. the donkey pulling away or flinching) during this procedure usually indicates the presence of sharp enamel overgrowths on the outside of the upper cheek teeth. Donkeys may show visibly restricted mandibular movements that may even be confined to one side of the mouth. By fixing the upper jaw with one hand, the degree of sideways mandibular movement and the animal’s response to this manipulation can be manually and visually assessed.