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 Emergency Care
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: one is their instinctive fight-or-flight response; another is
their dominance hierarchy - the need to establish the pecking order within a
herd; and a third is 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.
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.
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: Adults: 28-40 beats
per minute
Foals: Up to
3 months of age: 64-128 beats per minute
Foals: 3
months to 1 year of age: 40-80 beats per minute
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Respiratory rate: 10-14
breaths per minute
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Rectal temperature:
Adults: 99.5-101.5 degrees F
Foals: 99.5-102.7 degrees F
If the adult horse's temperature exceeds 102.5 degrees
F., contact your veterinarian immediately. Temperatures of over 103
degrees 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.
-
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".
-
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 or
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).
ACTION PLAN
No matter
what emergency you may face in the future, mentally rehearse what steps you will
take to avoid letting panic take control. Here are some guidelines to help
you prepare:
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Keep your veterinarian's
number by each phone, including how the practitioner can be reached after
hours. If you have a speed dial system, key it in, but also keep the
number posted.
-
Consult with your regular
veterinarian regarding back-up or referring veterinarian's number in case
you cannot reach your regular veterinarian quickly enough.
-
Know in advance the most
direct route to an equine surgery center in case you need to transport the
horse.
-
Post the names and phone
numbers of nearby friends and neighbors who can assist you in an emergency
while you wait for the veterinarian.
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Prepare a first aid kit
and store 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.
FIRST AID KITS
First aid
kits can be simple or elaborate, but there are some essential items. Here
is a short list to get yours started. (*Material should be sterile.)
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Cotton roll
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Contact bandage
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Cling wrap
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Gauze pads, assorted
sizes
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Gauze wrap
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Adhesive wrap and adhesive
tape
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Leg wraps
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Sharp scissors
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Hemostats
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Steel cup or container
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Rectal thermometer with
string and clip attached
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Surgical scrub and
antiseptic solution
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Latex gloves
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Flashlight and spare
batteries
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Permanent marker pen
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Pliers (to pull nails)
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6" diameter PVC tubing cut
in half the long way (like a gutter) into lengths of 1-1/2 to 2 feet (for
emergency splinting)
EMERGENCY WOUND CARE
The sight
of blood may unnerve you, but maintaining your presence of mind can save your
horse's life. The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent
further damage and speed healing. How you proceed will depend on your
individual circumstances, and you must exercise good judgment. The
following should be viewed as guidelines:
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Catch and calm the 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.
-
Get help before attempting
to treat or evaluate a wound. It can be difficult and very dangerous to try
to inspect or clean the wound without someone to hold the horse. You
cannot help your horse if you are seriously injured yourself.
-
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 veterinarian should be
called:
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There appears to be
excessive bleeding.
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The entire skin thickness
has been penetrated.
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The wound occurs near or
over a joint.
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Any structures underlying
the skin are visible.
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A puncture has occurred.
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A severe wound has
occurred in the lower leg at or below knee or hock level.
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The wound is severely
contaminated.
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Consult with your
veterinarian regarding a recommendation before you attempt to clean the
wound or remove debris 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.
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Stop the bleeding by
covering the wound with a sterile, absorbent pad (not cotton), applying
firm, steady, even pressure to the wound.
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Do not medicate or
tranquilize the horse unless specifically directed by your veterinarian.
If the horse has suffered severe blood loss or shock, the administration of
certain drugs can be life-threatening.
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If the eye is injured, do
not attempt to treat. Await your veterinarian.
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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 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 assess the extent of
damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound and wrap to prevent additional
contamination.
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All horses being treated
for lacerations or puncture wounds will require a tetanus booster.
OTHER EMERGENCIES
There are
far too many types of emergencies - from heat stroke to hyperkalemic periodic
paralysis, bone fractures to snake bites, foaling difficulties to colic - to
adequately cover them. However, regardless of the situation, it's
important to remember these points:
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Keep the horse as calm as
possible. Your own calm behavior will help achieve this.
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Move the animal to a safe
area where it is unlikely to be injured should it go down.
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Get someone to help you,
and delegate responsibility, such as calling the veterinarian, retrieving
the first aid kit, holding the horse, etc.
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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.
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Listen closely and follow
your equine practitioner's instructions.
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Do not administer drugs,
especially tranquilizers or sedatives, unless specifically instructed to do
so by the veterinarian.
SUMMARY
Many
accidents can be prevented by taking the time to evaluate your horse's
environment and removing potential hazards. Also, assess your management
routines to make them safer. Mentally rehearse your emergency action plan.
Preparation will help you stay calm in the event of a real emergency. Keep
your veterinarian's phone number and your first aid kit handy. In an
emergency, time is critical. Don't be concerned with overreacting or
annoying your veterinarian. By acting quickly and promptly, can minimize
the consequences of an injury or illness. Your horse's health and
well-being depend on it.
This information was provided
by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
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