Download - Common Equine Emergencies and First Aid
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Common Equine Common Equine Emergencies and First AidEmergencies and First Aid
Amanda M. House, DVMAmanda M. House, DVMDiplomate, ACVIMDiplomate, ACVIM
University of Florida CVMUniversity of Florida CVMGainesville, FL 32610Gainesville, FL 32610
OverviewOverviewWhat is an emergency?What is an emergency?Common equine Common equine emergenciesemergencies–– ColicColic–– FeverFever–– WoundsWounds–– EyesEyes–– LamenessLameness–– NeurologicalNeurological–– FoalsFoals–– MoreMore……..
Farm first aidFarm first aidWhen to call the vetWhen to call the vet
Warning Signs Warning Signs -- SubtleSubtle
AnorexiaAnorexiaDepressedDepressedLaying down longer Laying down longer than usualthan usualOff by themselvesOff by themselvesFever (Temp > 101.5)Fever (Temp > 101.5)Abnormal gum color Abnormal gum color (red, purple, white, or (red, purple, white, or yellow)yellow)
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Warning Signs Warning Signs –– More SevereMore Severe
Squinting, swollen or Squinting, swollen or tearing eyetearing eyeYellow or green nasal Yellow or green nasal dischargedischargeSweating profuselySweating profuselyLameLame
Warning Signs Warning Signs –– Most SevereMost Severe
Rolling, pawing, colicRolling, pawing, colicUnable to get upUnable to get upUnable to moveUnable to moveWalking drunk (ataxia)Walking drunk (ataxia)Profuse bleedingProfuse bleedingDifficulty breathing (nostril Difficulty breathing (nostril flare, distressed, increased flare, distressed, increased respiratory rate)respiratory rate)
Equine EmergenciesEquine Emergencies
To know when you have an emergency, it To know when you have an emergency, it is important to understand what is normal is important to understand what is normal and what is NOT normal for the horseand what is NOT normal for the horse
Behavior, appetite, attitude, gait, and Behavior, appetite, attitude, gait, and normal physical exam parametersnormal physical exam parameters
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Normal Adult HorseNormal Adult HorseTemperature 99Temperature 99--101.5 F101.5 FHeart rate 28Heart rate 28--48 48 beats/minutebeats/minuteRespiratory rate 12Respiratory rate 12--24 breaths/minute24 breaths/minutePink gumsPink gums66--10 piles of well 10 piles of well formed manure per formed manure per 24 hours24 hours
Normal NeonateNormal Neonate
Temperature 99Temperature 99--102F102FHR 80HR 80--120120RR 20RR 20--4040Pink gumsPink gumsNursing 4Nursing 4--6 times per 6 times per hourhourFecal output 2Fecal output 2--4 piles 4 piles per day, pastyper day, pasty
Have a PLANHave a PLAN
Be preparedBe preparedEmergencies are Emergencies are emotionalemotionalHave phone numbers Have phone numbers of your vet, insurance of your vet, insurance information, shipper if information, shipper if necessarynecessaryFinancial planFinancial plan
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Be Prepared Be Prepared –– First Aid SuppliesFirst Aid Supplies
ThermometerThermometerStethoscopeStethoscopeFlashlightFlashlightPhone numbersPhone numbersLatex glovesLatex glovesWound dressingWound dressingShoe pullers and raspShoe pullers and raspPhenylbutazone (Phenylbutazone (““ButeBute””))Cold packCold pack
PoulticePoulticeAntiseptics (Antiseptics (NolvasanNolvasan, , ChlorahexidineChlorahexidine, , Betadine)Betadine)SoapSoapScissorsScissorsEye washEye washHoof pick and knifeHoof pick and knifeBottles of sterile salineBottles of sterile salinePVC pipe for splintingPVC pipe for splinting
Bandage MaterialsBandage Materials
ElastikonElastikonVetwrapVetwrapGauze pads (4x4)Gauze pads (4x4)Roll gauze or Roll gauze or klingklingSheet and roll cottonSheet and roll cottonStanding wraps/quiltsStanding wraps/quiltsDuct tapeDuct tape
Common Equine EmergenciesCommon Equine Emergencies
ColicColicNeurological diseaseNeurological diseaseWoundsWoundsLamenessLamenessEyesEyesFeverFeverChokeChokeNatural disasterNatural disaster
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Colic = Abdominal PainColic = Abdominal Pain
Mild signs:Mild signs:Did not eat all of a meal Did not eat all of a meal
–– AnorexiaAnorexiaLaying down more than Laying down more than
normalnormalDecreased manure Decreased manure
productionproduction
Signs of ColicSigns of Colic
PawingPawingStretching OutStretching OutFlank watchingFlank watchingAbrasionsAbrasions
Signs of ColicSigns of Colic
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Signs of ColicSigns of Colic
Teeth GrindingTeeth GrindingExcess SalivationExcess Salivation
Signs of ColicSigns of Colic
Bloated abdomenBloated abdomen
Signs of ColicSigns of Colic
Rolling, getting up and down, thrashing in Rolling, getting up and down, thrashing in stallstall
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What Causes Colic?What Causes Colic?
Many things Many things –– mostly mostly ““intestinal accidentsintestinal accidents””Most Common Causes:Most Common Causes:–– GasGas–– Spasmodic ColicSpasmodic Colic–– ImpactionImpaction
90% of 90% of colicscolics can be treated on the farmcan be treated on the farm
What Causes Colic?What Causes Colic?
Intestinal DysfunctionIntestinal DysfunctionGas, spasms, impactionsGas, spasms, impactions
Intestinal AccidentsIntestinal AccidentsDisplacements or torsionsDisplacements or torsionsStrangulationsStrangulations
Inflammation/UlcerationInflammation/UlcerationColitis, enteritis, gastric Colitis, enteritis, gastric ulcersulcers
Gas/Spasmodic ColicGas/Spasmodic Colic
Sudden changes in Sudden changes in dietdiet–– New hayNew hay–– Lush green pastureLush green pasture–– To much grainTo much grain
Stress? Stress? ParasitesParasitesSandSand
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Causes of ImpactionsCauses of Impactions
Feed material impactionsFeed material impactions–– Not drinking enough waterNot drinking enough water–– Water to hot/ to cold/ not availableWater to hot/ to cold/ not available–– Too much exercise Too much exercise -- got dehydratedgot dehydrated–– Traveling Traveling –– got dehydratedgot dehydrated–– Poor teeth canPoor teeth can’’t chew food wellt chew food well–– Poor quality hayPoor quality hay
Sand impactionsSand impactions
Cost of ColicCost of Colic
Medical colic Medical colic –– Farm $200 Farm $200 -- $600$600–– Hospitalized care $ 800Hospitalized care $ 800-- $3000$3000
Surgical correctionSurgical correction–– $4000 $4000 -- $7000, depends on problem$7000, depends on problem
DO NOT WAIT TO START TREATMENTDO NOT WAIT TO START TREATMENT
Can we prevent colic?Can we prevent colic?
Good ManagementGood ManagementHigh Quality Hay High Quality Hay –– Very important!Very important!Regular exerciseRegular exerciseRegular dewormingRegular dewormingRegular dental careRegular dental careIntestinal accidents can still happen even Intestinal accidents can still happen even under the best management!under the best management!
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What You Can DoWhat You Can Do
Remove all feed, but not waterRemove all feed, but not waterTake the heart rate and look at the gumsTake the heart rate and look at the gumsCall your vetCall your vet–– They may recommend giving They may recommend giving BanamineBanamine
Walk to prevent injury if down/rollingWalk to prevent injury if down/rolling
Do NOTDo NOT
Give more than 1 Give more than 1 dose of dose of BanamineBanaminewithout your vetwithout your vetWalk the horse to Walk the horse to exhaustionexhaustionTry to pass a tube or Try to pass a tube or force feed mineral oilforce feed mineral oilInsert a hose rectally Insert a hose rectally to give an enema to give an enema
RememberRemember
The equine GI tract is LONG and can be The equine GI tract is LONG and can be complicated!complicated!
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Treatment for Colic: Treatment for Colic: Depends on Suspected CauseDepends on Suspected Cause
Pain medicationPain medicationBanamineBanamine, , BuscopanBuscopan
Sedatives (Sedatives (xylazinexylazine, , detomidinedetomidine, etc), etc)Fluid Therapy (oral and/or IV)Fluid Therapy (oral and/or IV)No Feed!No Feed!Laxatives (mineral oil, Laxatives (mineral oil, epsomepsom salts)salts)SurgerySurgery
Remember with ColicRemember with Colic
Mild GI upsets and Mild GI upsets and colicscolics that require that require surgery may start out with very similar surgery may start out with very similar clinical signsclinical signs
Persistent pain is the #1 indicator for Persistent pain is the #1 indicator for exploratory surgeryexploratory surgery
Neurologic EmergenciesNeurologic Emergencies
Vary from head Vary from head trauma from falls to trauma from falls to viral disease like viral disease like West Nile Virus West Nile Virus /EEE/Herpes virus to /EEE/Herpes virus to EPMEPM
Require immediate Require immediate veterinary careveterinary care
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Neurological SignsNeurological Signs
Ataxia (abnormal uncoordinated gait)Ataxia (abnormal uncoordinated gait)Unable to stand upUnable to stand upHead pressingHead pressingCirclingCirclingDepressionDepressionTrouble swallowingTrouble swallowing
AtaxiaAtaxia
Neurological DiseaseNeurological Disease
Any of these clinical signs require a Any of these clinical signs require a veterinarian for further evaluationveterinarian for further evaluation
These signs can progress very quickly in These signs can progress very quickly in some cases, and early intervention will some cases, and early intervention will provide the best outcomeprovide the best outcome
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Lacerations and WoundsLacerations and WoundsAbrasions Abrasions –– PartialPartial--thickness thickness
LacerationsLacerations–– Full thicknessFull thickness
PuncturesPunctures
Superficial wounds can Superficial wounds can usually be treated on usually be treated on the farm without the farm without suturessutures
Superficial WoundsSuperficial Wounds
Clean with a Clean with a disinfectant and waterdisinfectant and waterClip the hair to Clip the hair to inspect more closelyinspect more closelyAbrasions on limbs Abrasions on limbs may benefit from may benefit from wraps to decrease wraps to decrease swellingswelling
Deep wounds/LacerationsDeep wounds/Lacerations
May need to be suturedMay need to be suturedIdeally, sutures should be placed within 6Ideally, sutures should be placed within 6--8 hours of the injury8 hours of the injuryClean the wound as much as you can and Clean the wound as much as you can and apply a light bandage apply a light bandage Do not put any ointments onto a deep Do not put any ointments onto a deep wound or laceration, wait for the vetwound or laceration, wait for the vet
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ALWAYSALWAYS
Call the vet IMMEDIATELY if:Call the vet IMMEDIATELY if:–– Bleeding is profuse, wonBleeding is profuse, won’’t stop, and/or is t stop, and/or is
bright red (apply pressure)bright red (apply pressure)–– Injury is over a joint, tendon, or on the bottom Injury is over a joint, tendon, or on the bottom
of the footof the foot
Make sure your horse has a current Make sure your horse has a current tetanus toxoid booster (within 6 months)tetanus toxoid booster (within 6 months)
LamenessLameness
95% of all lameness occurs in 95% of all lameness occurs in the the footfootMost common problem is a foot Most common problem is a foot abscessabscess–– Can occur after a sole bruiseCan occur after a sole bruise–– Must establish drainage to Must establish drainage to
relieve painrelieve pain–– Give a pain relieverGive a pain reliever
Fracture of the limb can occurFracture of the limb can occur–– Usually severe lamenessUsually severe lameness
Lameness GuidelinesLameness Guidelines
If lameness is severe If lameness is severe and nonand non--weightbearing, weightbearing, require immediate require immediate veterinary attentionveterinary attentionMinimize movement Minimize movement and confine if and confine if possiblepossiblePhenylbutazonePhenylbutazone
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Causes of nonCauses of non--weightbearing weightbearing LamenessLameness
Foot abscessFoot abscessFractureFractureSeptic joint or tendon sheathSeptic joint or tendon sheathLaminitis (usually more than one limb Laminitis (usually more than one limb affected)affected)
Need veterinary evaluation ASAP!Need veterinary evaluation ASAP!
EyesEyes
Should be clearShould be clearNormally no swelling, Normally no swelling, squinting, tearing, squinting, tearing, dischargedischarge
EyesEyes
ANY abnormalities with the eye require ANY abnormalities with the eye require immediate veterinary attentionimmediate veterinary attentionEye problems can deteriorate and go bad Eye problems can deteriorate and go bad very rapidlyvery rapidly
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Fever = Temp >101.5 FFever = Temp >101.5 F
Fever can be a result of infection, Fever can be a result of infection, inflammation, viral disease, tumors, inflammation, viral disease, tumors, immuneimmune--mediated diseases, drug mediated diseases, drug administration, heat stress and administration, heat stress and exhaustion, or severe muscle injuryexhaustion, or severe muscle injury
Fever Fever –– What You Can DoWhat You Can DoIf the Temp > 103F, If the Temp > 103F, hose down with cold hose down with cold water and place in water and place in ventilated cool area ventilated cool area with fan until further with fan until further evaluationevaluation
BanamineBanamine may be may be recommended or recommended or given by your vet given by your vet
Choke (Esophageal obstruction)Choke (Esophageal obstruction)
Occurs when horses eat too fast and food Occurs when horses eat too fast and food becomes stuck in the esophagusbecomes stuck in the esophagus
Causes:Causes:–– Bolting feedBolting feed–– Dental DiseaseDental Disease–– Neurologic conditions causing difficulty Neurologic conditions causing difficulty
swallowingswallowing–– Congenital or acquired esophageal problemsCongenital or acquired esophageal problems
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Choke Choke –– Clinical SignsClinical Signs
Frothy green (feed Frothy green (feed tinged) nasal tinged) nasal dischargedischargeStretching out neckStretching out neckCoughing/distressedCoughing/distressedGagGagSigns of colicSigns of colic
Choke can lead toChoke can lead to………………
Aspiration PneumoniaAspiration Pneumonia
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SoSo……if you suspect Chokeif you suspect ChokeRemove all feed and Remove all feed and water water –– including pasture including pasture access!access!Call vetCall vetMonitor rectal Monitor rectal temperaturetemperature
Many will resolve on their Many will resolve on their own or with minimal own or with minimal treatment, but some treatment, but some require further therapyrequire further therapy
And Last But Never LeastAnd Last But Never Least……
"Preparation through education is less "Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy."costly than learning through tragedy."
MAX MAYFIELD, MAX MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTERDIRECTOR, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
Lessons from Hurricaine AndrewLessons from Hurricaine Andrew
Leading cause of deathLeading cause of deathCollapsed barnsCollapsed barnsKidney failureKidney failureElectrocutionElectrocutionFencing failureFencing failure
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Natural Disaster PreparationNatural Disaster Preparation
Written disaster planWritten disaster planDonDon’’t evacuate unlesst evacuate unless>72 hours>72 hours-- get stuck on roadget stuck on road
Hurricaine PreparationHurricaine Preparation
Current vaccinationsCurrent vaccinationsWest Nile VirusWest Nile VirusEastern Equine EncephalitisEastern Equine Encephalitis
Tetanus ToxoidTetanus Toxoid
Keep important Documents HandyKeep important Documents Handy
CogginsCoggins testtestHealth certificateHealth certificate
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Horse IdentificationHorse Identification
Take Polaroid picture of Take Polaroid picture of each horseeach horseLabel your horseLabel your horse--Luggage tag on halterLuggage tag on halter
MicrochipMicrochipBrand/Brand/TatooTatoo
Evacuation PlanEvacuation Plan
Flooding?Flooding?Severe WindsSevere Winds
When to TravelWhen to Travel
48 hours before hurricane force 48 hours before hurricane force winds hit your areawinds hit your areaWinds > 40 mphWinds > 40 mph------DANGEROUSDANGEROUS
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Lessons from our PastLessons from our Past
Keep horses out of barns that are not safe!
LessonsLessons
Move horses from Flood prone areasMove horses from Flood prone areas
Prepare the FarmPrepare the Farm
Store all loose itemsStore all loose itemsJump Standards, cupsJump Standards, cupsBecome dangerous projectiles in high Become dangerous projectiles in high windwind
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Have Water AvailableHave Water Available
1212--20 gallons horse/day20 gallons horse/dayGenerator for Well/ FuelGenerator for Well/ FuelLarge Garbage Cans with linersLarge Garbage Cans with liners
ElectricityElectricity
Turn off power to barnTurn off power to barnDo not put horses in a pasture with power Do not put horses in a pasture with power lines lines
Who Can Help?Who Can Help?
Each CountyEmergency Support Function
“ESF-17”
IC---reports ---State VetVETSVMAT (Veterinary
Medical Assist. Team)DART
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In Summary: For EmergenciesIn Summary: For Emergencies
Be prepared Be prepared –– First First Aid KitAid KitHave a planHave a planPhone numbers Phone numbers availableavailableStay calmStay calmEducate clients/ Educate clients/ Utilize your Utilize your veterinarianveterinarian
Any Questions?Any Questions?
Please Join Us at the Vet School!Please Join Us at the Vet School!
Spring Equine Lecture Series Spring Equine Lecture Series –– 7 pm7 pmFebruary 26February 26thth
March 19March 19thth
May 21May 21stst
Healthy Horses Conference Healthy Horses Conference –– April 25April 25thth
More information:More information:
www.vetmed.ufl.eduwww.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/equine/extension/equine