Emergency First Aid
- Always be prepared
- Prevention is key
- Stay calm
- If you think about calling the veterinarian, you probably should
Assessing an Emergency: Vital Signs
Gum Color
Indicative of circulatory health
Healthy: pink and moist
Call the vet if pale pink or white, bright red, purple or yellow
Capillary Refill Time
Time for color to return to gums blanched with fingertip pressure
Normal time is < 2 seconds
Prolonged time is indicative of compromised circulation
Heart Rate
Increases with pain, circulatory system disturbance or exercise
Measure heart rate with stethoscope right behind left elbow
Each “lub-dup” is one beat
Take pulse rate at lower jaw bone
Adult: 30-40 beats/min
Foal: Up to 120 beats/min
Yearling: Up to 60 beats/min
Respiratory Rate
Increases with pain, exercise and in some disease states
Normal rate is 10-14 breaths per minute
Watch the belly as it moves in and out
Count each set of inhalation and exhalation as one breath
Body Temperature
Varies with weather, exercise and stress
Normal temperature is 99-101 F
Temperature should be taken per rectum
Use lubrication such as petroleum jelly
Leave mercury thermometers in for 3 minutes
Digital thermometers work well
Gastrointestinal Sounds
Using a stethoscope, listen to the top and bottom of the abdomen on both sides
No gut motility is worse than hearing lots of gurgling
What to do
Things to Remember for Any Emergency
- Catch the horse and try to calm him
- If horse can walk, place in stall
- If not showing obvious signs of colic (see below) it may be OK to allow hay to keep quiet
- If he is likely to go down, make sure the horse is in a safe area
- Call the veterinarian for instructions on what to do before he or she arrives
- Do not administer any drugs without consulting the veterinarian
Lacerations and Wounds
- Find someone to hold the horse while you examine the wound
- Do not manipulate the wound, but try to assess its location, depth and severity
- Do not put anything in the wound; use only water if it is heavily contaminated
- If there is bleeding, cover the wound with a clean absorbent pad or other material; apply steady pressure
- The veterinarian may advise the use of a tourniquet, but don t attempt without explicit instructions
- Do not remove any foreign object from the wound until you have discussed it with your veterinarian
Call the Veterinarian
- If there is excessive bleeding
- If the wound extends through the entire skin thickness
- If there may be a fracture
- If the wound is near a joint
- If you see structures under the skin
- If the wound is on the lower limb
- If the wound is heavily contaminated
- If the horse is unable to bear weight on the affected limb
Ocular Emergencies
- Do not apply any topical medication to the eye
- Ocular emergencies can progress very rapidly
Call the Veterinarian
- If the eye looks cloudy or if there is an area that looks jelly-like on the surface
- If there is excessive tearing, blinking, squinting or if the horse refuses to open his eye
- If there is an eyelid laceration
- When in doubt, call!
Colic
- Many serious problems start with mild signs, so don’t wait!
- Signs of Colic
- Mild/ Moderate Discomfort
Excessive time lying down
Standing stretched out
Frequently getting up and down
Turning to look at abdomen
Curling upper lip
- Severe Pain
Biting and kicking at abdomen
Pawing at ground
Rolling
Thrashing
- Mild/ Moderate Discomfort
- Ask the veterinarian what you should do until he or she arrives
- Arrange for a trailer in advance if the horse is very painful and may need referral
Call the Veterinarian
- If the horse has a temp of 102 F
- If the horse has diarrhea
- If he is in respiratory distress or has noisy labored breathing
- If there are signs of choke
- If the horse seizures
- If the whites of the eyes or gums are abnormally colored
- If you see any signs of colic
