EMERGENCIESWhen to Call the Vet

And What to Do Until They Arrive

By Dr. Jennifer Fowlie, DVM, MSc

Board Certified Equine Surgeon (DACVS)

Emergency Care

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.

Emergency Care

Plan Ahead

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

Emergency Care

Transport

KNOW YOUR ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS TO FARM

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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 38.5o C)

• Purple or red gum colour

• Wound

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

Rectal Temperature

Normal temperature for a horse is

37.0 to 38.5 oC

or

99.0 to 101.5oF

Emergency Care

Heart Rate

Normal resting heart rate is

28 to 44 beats per minute (BPM)

Emergency Care

Respiratory Rate

Normal Respiratory rate is 12 to 24 breaths

per minute

Emergency Care

Capillary Refill Time &

Membrane Colour

Emergency Care

Gut Sounds

Emergency Care

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.

Emergency Care

Types of emergencies you may encounter include:

• Colic

• Lacerations

• Acute Lameness

• Eye Injuries

• Allergic Reactions

• Choke

• Foaling Emergencies

Emergency Care

Colic

Emergency Care

Colic Symptoms

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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.

Emergency Care

Wounds & Bleeding

Horses frequently get cuts and scrapes. It is

important to know which wounds

need veterinary attention.

Emergency Care

WoundsWounds 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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

Sudden Severe Lameness

Causes of lameness may include:

• Hoof abscess (most common)

• Fractures• Infected joint• Cellulitis• Laminitis• Tendon injuries• Nerve damage

Emergency Care

Hoof Abscess

Emergency Care

Fractures

Contact your veterinarian

immediately and try to keep the horse

calm

Emergency Care

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

Emergency Care

Laminitis Signs

Emergency Care

Nail In Foot

Emergency Care

Allergic Reactions

Emergency Care

Choke

• Coughing & Retching• Extending neck• Large amounts of nasal

discharge containing food and saliva.

• DO NOT ADMINSTER ANYTHING ORALLY

Emergency Care

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.

Emergency Care

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.

Emergency Care

Veterinary Exam

Emergency Care

Foal Danger Signs

Notify your veterinarian immediately if:

• Foal seems depressed or lethargic• Increased temperature (>38.5oC)• 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

Emergency Care

• 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

Emergency Care

For more information visit the AAEP website

www.aaep.org/horseowner

Thanks to Dr. Shannon Lockhart for

presenting material