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

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

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.

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

Transport KNOW YOUR ADDRESS/ DIRECTIONS TO FARM

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

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

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

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

Rectal Temperature Normal temperature for a horse is 37.0 to 38.5 o C or 99.0 to 101.5 o F

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

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

Capillary Refill Time & Membrane Colour

Gut Sounds

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.

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

Colic

Colic Symptoms

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hoof Abscess

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

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

Laminitis Signs

Nail In Foot

Allergic Reactions

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

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.

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.

Veterinary Exam

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

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

For more information visit the AAEP website www.aaep.org/horseowner Thanks to Dr. Shannon Lockhart for presenting material