How do you clean a horse’s teeth?

Going to the dentist can be unpleasant – but at least your dentist doesn’t have to put you out with a dart gun. (We hope?)

On “ Do You Work Here? ” KNX News’ Mike Simpson headed to a ranch in Moorpark to chat with large animal veterinarian Dr. Katie Nenneker, a.k.a. “Dr. Nenn,” about animal dentistry.

Dr. Nenn, who runs NENN Equine , said there are all sorts of animals that you wouldn't expect to find in Southern California – from cattle herds to pet pigs and goats.

“Literally this week there was a house cow, a little mini Highland,” she said. “They've planted grass on their tennis court so that the cow goes out to the tennis court and hangs out on the grass.”

Providing veterinary care to large animals is pretty similar to cats and dogs: they deal with skin problems, vaccines, yearly blood work, emergency calls, and more.

“The funny thing is that people don't think that like, your goat, you would treat the same as your dog,” Dr. Nenn said. “But a lot of the families that I get to work with, they love their goats and their pigs the same way that they love their dogs and cats. So we do a lot of the same stuff.”

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For horses – whose teeth keep growing throughout their lives – routine care includes filing down their teeth. Instead of novocaine, they’re prepped with full-body sedatives…or, in extreme cases, a dart gun. Listen to the full episode above for a play-by-play of what happens next.

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