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If you own horses long
enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency.
There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially
accident-prone:
their instinctive flight-or-fight response, their
need to establish the pecking order within a herd,
and
their natural curiosity.
Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that
horses suffer.
In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse
owners must contend with.
There are other types of emergencies as well, such as colic, foaling
difficulties, acute lameness,
seizures, and illness.
As a horse owner, you must know how to recognize serious problems and
respond promptly,
taking appropriate action while awaiting the arrival of your veterinarian.
Many accidents can be prevented by taking the time to evaluate your horse
environment and removing
potential hazards.
RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF DISTRESS
When a horse is cut or
bleeding, it's obvious that there is a problem.
But in cases of colic, illness, or a more subtle injury, it may not be as
apparent.
That's why it's important to know your horse's normal vital signs,
including temperature,
pulse and respiration (TPR), as well as its normal behavior patterns.
You must be a good observer so that you readily recognize signs of ill
health.
WHAT'S NORMAL?
There will be variations in
individual temperature, pulse and respiration values.
Take several baseline measurements when the horse is healthy, rested, and
relaxed.
Write them down and keep them within easy reach,
perhaps with your first aid kit, so you have them to compare to in case of
an emergency.
Normal ranges for adult horses are:
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Pulse rate: 30-42 beats per minute. |
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Respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths per minute. |
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Rectal temperature: 99.5' to 101.5' F. If the horse's temperature
exceeds 102.5' F., c
ontact your veterinarian immediately. Temperatures of over 103' F
indicate a serious disorder. |
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Capillary refill time (time it takes for color to return to gum tissue
adjacent to teeth after pressing
and releasing with your thumb): 2 seconds. |
Other observations you should note:
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Skin pliability is tested by pinching or folding a flap of neck skin
and releasing.
It should immediately snap back into place. Failure to do so is
evidence of dehydration. |
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Color of the mucous membranes of gums, nostrils, conjunctiva (inner
eye tissue),
and inner lips of vulva should be pink. Bright red, pale pink to
white, or bluish-purple coloring may indicate
problems. |
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Color, consistency, and volume of feces and urine should be typical of
that individual's usual excretions.
Straining or failure to excrete should be noted. |
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Signs of distress, anxiety or discomfort. |
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Lethargy, depression or a horse that's "off-feed." |
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Presence or absence of gut sounds. |
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Evidence of lameness such as head-bobbing, reluctance to move, odd
stance, pain, unwillingness to rise. |
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Bleeding, swelling, evidence of pain. |
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Seizures, paralysis, or "tying up" (form of muscle cramps that ranges
in severity from mild stiffness
to life-threatening illness). |
Preparation is vital when confronted with a medical
emergency. No matter the situation you may face,
mentally rehearse the steps you
will take to avoid letting panic take control.
You don't want to waste time, you need to
be organized and calm in your horse's time of need.
Mentally rehearse your emergency action plan. In an emergency,
time is critical.
Don't be concerned with overreacting or annoying your
veterinarian.
By acting quickly and promptly, you can minimize the consequences
of an injury or illness.
1) Keep your veterinarians number by each phone, including how the practitioner can
be reached after hours.
2) Know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center in case you
need to transport the horse.
3) Post the names and phone numbers of nearby friends and neighbors who can assist
you in an emergency
while you wait for the veterinarian.
4) Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place.
Make sure that family members
and other barn users know where the kit is.
(Also
keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle,
and a pared-down
version to carry on the trail.)
The following suggestions should be viewed as guidelines
in an emergency:
1. Catch and calm your horse to prevent further injury. Move the horse to a
stall or other familiar surroundings
if this is possible
without -causing distress or further injury to the horse.
Providing hay or grain can also be a good distraction
if the horse is not showing signs of colic.
2. Get help before attempting to -treat or evaluate
a wound. It can be difficult and very dangerous to try
and inspect or clean a wound
without someone to hold the horse.
You cannot help your horse if you are
seriously injured yourself
3. Evaluate the location, depth, and severity of the
wound. Call your veterinarian for a recommendation
anytime you feel your horse-is in need of emergency care.
Here are some examples of situations where your
Vet should be called:
A. There appears to be excessive bleeding
B. The entire skin thickness has been penetrated.
C. The wound occurs near or over a joint.
D. Any structures underlying the skin are visible.
E. A severe wound has occurred in the lower leg or below knee or hock level.
G. The wound is severely contaminated
4. Notify your veterinarian immediately- Be prepared to-provide specific
information about the horse's condition,
as mentioned above,
and other data that will help your practitioner assess the immediacy of the
danger
and instruct you in how to proceed. There is a picture
of the horse at the bottom of this page to help you
describe the area that is injured.
Consult with your veterinarian regarding a recommendation before you attempt
to clean the wound
or remove debris
or penetrating objects, as you may precipitate uncontrollable bleeding or
do
further damage to the wound. Large objects should
be stabilized to avoid damaging movement
if possible. Don't put anything on the
wound except a compress or cold water.
5. Listen closely and follow your equine practitioner's instructions.
Do not administer drugs, especially tranquilizers or sedatives, unless
specifically instructed
to do so by the veterinarian. If the horse has suffered severe
blood loss
or is in shock ,
the
administration of certain drugs
can be life-threatening.
6. Stop the bleeding (This may be the FIRST step, if the bleeding is profuse!)
by covering the wound with a sterile,
absorbent pad (not cotton), and applying firm, steady,
even pressure to the wound.
7. If the eye is injured, do not attempt to treat- Await your veterinarian.
8. If a horse steps on a nail or other sharp object, and it remains embedded in
the hoof, first clean the hoof .
Consult with your veterinarian regarding a recommendation before you remove the
nail.
If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse
from stepping on it
and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity.
As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape
and/or a marker so
the veterinarian can access the extent of the damage. Apply antiseptic to the
wound,
and wrap to prevent additional contamination.
9. All horses being treated for lacerations or puncture wounds will require a
tetanus booster.
Here is a short list of essential
items for your first aid kit:
Iodine Solution Diluted
An Iodine Solution that is properly diluted is Betadine. Any fresh
wounds should be flushed out with this solution.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Only use Hydrogen Peroxide to flush deep wounds or punctures.
Neosporin and Nolvasan
These are topical antiseptic ointments that fight bacteria and
promote healing. These should be used twice daily after a
veterinarian has seen the wound.
Sterile Gauze Sponges
Use these when cleaning the wounded area with an Diluted Iodine
Solution.
Sterile Gauze Roll and
Self-Adhesive Tape
The Self-Adhesive Tape holds the Gauze to the wound. The tape is
easily applied and removed. A few good brands are: Kling, Elastikon,
Flexus and Vet-Rap.
Blunt-tipped Bandage Scissors
These come in handy for removing bandages.
Topical Eye Ointment
Nonsteroidal Eye Ointment comes in handy when a horse injures his
eye, and a veterinarian is not immediately available.
Rectal Thermometer with string and clip attached
An adult horse's normal temperature is between 99.0 and 101 degrees
F.
Injectable Sedative and Pain
Killer
Keep a small dose of each available. They come in handy in
situations such as colic or for horses who are unwilling.
Other Supplies That Should be
Included:
- Easy-Boot
- Stethoscope
- Twitch
- Hoof Pick
- Fly Lotion
- Wire cutters
- Electrolytes
- Flashlight
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Cotton roll
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Cling wrap
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Gauze pads, in assorted sizes
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Cup or container
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Surgical scrub and antiseptic solution
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Latex gloves
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Saline solution
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Clippers
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