EMERGENCIES When to Call the Vet And What to Do Until They Arrive

Transcription

1 EMERGENCIES When to Call the Vet And What to Do Until They Arrive By Dr. Jennifer Fowlie, DVM, MSc Board Certified Equine Surgeon (DACVS)

2 As a horse owner or caretaker, it is very helpful to know how to recognize serious problems, respond promptly and take appropriate action while waiting for the veterinarian to arrive.

3 Plan Ahead Keep important information handy such as your veterinarian s and owner s phone number including how to reach them after hours.

4 Transport KNOW YOUR ADDRESS/ DIRECTIONS TO FARM

5 First-Aid Kit Gauze pads Roll cotton Brown gauze Adhesive wrap Leg wraps Scissors White tape Duct tape Stethoscope Thermometer Hoof pick Surgical soap Eye wash Antiseptic solution Latex gloves Flashlight and spare batteries

6 Recognize Signs of An Issue Decreased appetite Lethargic Lying down longer than normal Single animal off by itself Sudden lameness Squinting, tearing or holding eye closed Fever (greater than 38.5 o C) Purple or red gum colour Wound

7 Assessment Is it safe to approach the horse? If so: Catch and calm the horse If possible, take the horse to a safe place such as a stall or paddock Get some help

8 Basic Exam Take the time to gather information to relay to your veterinarian such as: Temperature Heart rate Respiratory rate Gut sounds Mucous membrane colour Capillary refill time Attitude and appetite

9 Rectal Temperature Normal temperature for a horse is 37.0 to 38.5 o C or 99.0 to o F

10 Heart Rate Normal resting heart rate is 28 to 44 beats per minute (BPM)

11 Respiratory Rate Normal Respiratory rate is 12 to 24 breaths per minute

12 Capillary Refill Time & Membrane Colour

13 Gut Sounds

14 Attitude & Appetite A change in personality or attitude may indicate pain or disease. A loss of appetite is a good indication that your horse does not feel well.

15 Types of emergencies you may encounter include: Colic Lacerations Acute Lameness Eye Injuries Allergic Reactions Choke Foaling Emergencies

16 Colic

17 Colic Symptoms

18 Things To Tell The Vet How painful horse is Any medications that have been given Recent changes to feed or routine Medical information such as pregnancy, recent vaccinations or deworming etc. Heart rate and gut sounds Quantity and consistency of manure passed in last 24 hours Issues such as frozen waterer

19 After Phone Call +/- Administer Banamine (or Bute) ONLY ORALLY OR IV NOT IM (high risk of Clostridial myositis) Keep horse walking (can trot/longe) Ok to let lie down in a safe area if lying quietly, if trying to roll, get horse up and continue walking Do not give any feed, medication or home remedy unless instructed by a veterinarian.

20 Wounds & Bleeding Horses frequently get cuts and scrapes. It is important to know which wounds need veterinary attention.

21 Wounds Wounds that need immediate veterinary attention include: Excessive bleeding Puncture wounds Deep lacerations Wounds at or near joints or tendons Foreign body penetrations Severely contaminated wounds

22 Infected synovial structures (joints, tendon sheaths, bursas) Note horses generally don t show that much lameness with skin wounds, if horse is lame it really should be seen

23 Bleeding Blood squirting or flowing in a steady stream from a wounds needs to be controlled To stop bleeding, hold a sterile pad or clean towel to the wound and apply steady, firm pressure. Apply a pressure bandage

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25 Foreign Body Penetrations If possible, impaled objects should be left in place. Notify your veterinarian before attempting to remove a large foreign object Removing may cause blood loss or further damage

26 Things To Tell The Vet Location of wound Bleeding Any medications that have been given Degree of Lameness Foreign bodies How old is the wound

27 Before/After Phone Call Gently clean wound with chlorhexidine/betadine soap if safe or can hose off if very dirty Keep horse in a safe area Stop the bleeding if excessive with pressure wrap

28 Eye Injuries An eye injury may be indicated by the following: Excess tear production Cloudiness Mucous discharge Holding eye closed or sensitive to light Swelling around the eye or eyelids Laceration of the eyelid

29 Eye Injuries Important to call vet out right away - Early treatment important for better prognosis Could rinse eye with some eye wash Don t apply medications until speak with vet

30 Sudden Severe Lameness Causes of lameness may include: Hoof abscess (most common) Fractures Infected joint Cellulitis Laminitis Tendon injuries Nerve damage

31 Hoof Abscess

32 Fractures Contact your veterinarian immediately and try to keep the horse calm

33 Laminitis Laminitis is an extremely painful condition caused by inflammation within the hoof that leads to the bone pulling away from the hoof wall Affects both front feet most commonly

34 Laminitis Signs

35 Nail In Foot

36 Allergic Reactions

37 Choke Coughing & Retching Extending neck Large amounts of nasal discharge containing food and saliva. DO NOT ADMINSTER ANYTHING ORALLY

38 Foaling Fortunately, foaling problems are rare but when there is a problem, it is usually serious. Ideally, the mare should be attended when she foals so problems can be identified quickly.

39 A Normal, Healthy Foal Should stand within 1 hour. Should nurse within 2 hours. Mare should pass afterbirth within 3 hours. This is know as the 1, 2, 3 of foaling.

40 Veterinary Exam

41 Foal Danger Signs Notify your veterinarian immediately if: Foal seems depressed or lethargic Increased temperature (>38.5 o C) Increased or labored breathing Straining to defecate or urinate Signs of colic Yellow around eyes or gums Swollen or painful joints Swollen or painful umbilicus Diarrhea

42 When in doubt call us We may ask you to just bring the horse into the clinic vs coming to the farm We are here to help you through these stressful times

43 For more information visit the AAEP website Thanks to Dr. Shannon Lockhart for presenting material