Associated Veterinary Clinic

Emergency First Aid for the Horse

A.  Prone to Injuries

         1. curiosity

            2. flight reaction

            3.  stresses of use

B.  Normal Vital Signs

            1. Pulse

                        a.  32-40 beats per minute

                        b.  Count for 15 seconds & multiply X 4

                        c.  If > 60 recheck

                        d.  Area to check - below jawbone or chest area

            2.  Temperature

                        a.  99.5 degrees F to 101.5 degrees F

                        b.  If > 102 degrees F call veterinaria

            3.  Respiration

                        a.  8 - 12 breaths per minute ( 15 seconds X 4)

            4. Color

                        a. mucous membranes should be pale pink

            5.  Capillary refill time

                        a.  < 2 seconds

            6.  Hydration

                        a.  pinch skin below eye or side of neck

            7.  Miscellaneous ( three A’s)

                        a.  Activity

                        b.  Appetite

                        c.  Attitude

C.  First Aid Kit Supplies

            1.  Emergency phone numbers

            2.  Stethoscope

            3.  Thermometer

            4.  flashlight / penlight

            5.  4X4 gauze rolls

            6.  6 “ gauze rolls

            7.  Telfa pads

            8.  Cotton padding

            9.  Vet Wrap

            10.  Wide adhesive tape

            11.  Scissors

            12.  Hemostat

            13.  Hoof knife

            14.  Triple A/B salve or Furacin or Chlorhexidine

            15.  Banamine paste or Phenylbutazone

            16.  Antibiotics

            17.  Fly Repellant

            18.  Bedadine

D.  Bandages

            1.  Applied from knee/hock to below fetlock

            2.  Well padded

            3.  50% overlap

            4.  Evenly applied

            5.  Sealed top & bottom

E.  Types of Problems

            1.  Eye - Considered emergency

                        a.  squinting

                        b.  tearing

                        c.  swelling

                        d.  redness

                        e.  corneal cloudiness

            2.  Respiratory

                        a.  nasal discharge

                        b.  coughing

                        c.  difficulty breathing

                        d.  rapid breathing

                        e.  abnormal noises

            3.  Colic

                        a.  Stretching

                        b.  pawing

                        c.  distressed look

                        d.  inappetance

                        e.  looking / biting at flank

                        f.  laying down or rolling

                        g.  gut sounds

            4.  Myositic ( Tying up)

                        a.  stiffness

                        b.  soreness in back and hamstring muscles

                        c.  reluctance to move

                        d.  can be similar in appearance to laminitis

            5.  Heat Stress

                        a.  heat stroke

                        b.  heat exhaustion

                                    1.  sweating

                                    2.  trembling

                                    3.  dry mucous membranes

            6.  Shock

                        a.  causes

                                    1.  blood loss

                                    2.  fluid loss

                                    3.  allergic reaction

                                    4.  endotoxin

                        b.  Signs

                                    1.  temperature

                                    2.  pale m. m. or dark red

                                    3.  heart rate

            7.  Lameness

                        a.  Mechanical or neurological

                        b.  History

                        c.  Medications

                        d.  Symmetry of conformation

                        e.  Physical exam

                                    1.  heat

                                    2.  swelling

                                    3.  pulse

                                    4.  head bob / hip hike

                                    5.  shortened stride

                                    6.  flex test

||  Home ||  Members  ||  Foal Announcements ||  Colt Peek ||  Parade  ||