Equine Emergencies- Part 1 of 3

Dr. Raul Casas presents a 3 part series on equine emergencies.  Part 1 will focus on Colic and Fevers.  Part 2 will discuss Acute Swellings and Lameness and Part 3 will discuss Eyes and Wounds. 

Equine Emergencies and First Aid
Owning a horse can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience, but at the same time can be very stressful and frustrating, especially during the time of an emergency. The following guidelines are not designed to replace the care and attention of a trained veterinarian but might make a difference in the outcome and help reduce morbidity. The first several moments during an emergency can be vital for a successful outcome, so recognizing that there is a problem and knowing how to respond will help the wellbeing of your horse. Once you have recognized that you have an emergency with your horse, a quick assessment of the situation should be made and you should contact your veterinarian for some advice. At Reid & Associates we are always available to discuss with you any issues and determine if further treatment might be indicated. It never hurts to call.

Colic

The definition of colic is abdominal pain. Most people are familiar with colic and with the most common signs like laying down, rolling and pawing. Other signs include a reduction in appetite, curling of upper lip, posturing to urinate or defecate without producing anything, restlessness, looking back at abdomen, or even a slight change in behavior or temperament.
Once a colic has been recognized, regardless of how mild it might look, you should call the veterinarian immediately to discuss your options, as some episodes of colic can deteriorate very quickly. The horse should not be allowed to eat anything but access to fresh water is recommended. If the horse is laying down quietly, it is OK to allow them to do so while you make the phone call. If the horse is acting more uncomfortable, getting them up and walking is a good idea to distract them and help keep them from hurting themselves.
It is very common for horse owners to administer Banamineâ (flunixin meglumine) as soon as signs of colic appear. Even though almost all colics are treated with BanamineÒ, which is an antiinflammatory and analgesic, you should call first, because if we are coming out to examine your horse we might prefer to get the full picture and not have medications masking any symptoms during our exam.
Most episodes of colic resolved with medical treatment, so the odds are in your favor. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can make a big difference.

Fevers

The normal rectal temperature for an adult horse can vary anywhere from 99.5° to 101.5°F, but under some circumstances anything above 101°F can be considered a fever. Horses with fevers can present with lethargy, inappetence, increased respiratory rate and effort, increased heat on palpation or can appear completely normal. Fevers are cause by alterations in the body thermostat by infections, inflammation, tumors, trauma or other physiologic or disease processes. Even though fevers can have beneficial effects, prolonged fevers also have deleterious effects. In addition, determination of the primary cause for the fevers is paramount in the treatment course of disease.
Anytime anything out of the ordinary is noticed on a horse, a rectal temperature should be taken if it is safe to do so. Any thermometer, mercury or digital, could be used. Once the temperature is known, a call to the veterinarian is what’s next. After speaking with a veterinarian, owners might be advised to administer antipyretic medications like BanamineÒ or bute, and can cold hose horses to try to bring the temperature down. The hosing should be concentrated along both sides of the neck and in between the front and hind legs, as these areas have large blood vessels close to the surface that help distributed cooled down blood throughout the body. Cold hosing should be performed for at least 30 minutes or so to have any significant effects. Alternatively a cold alcohol bath can be administered. In a bucket, you can mix cold water, rubbing alcohol and ice and this mixture can be sponged over the horse’s body. The application of ice boots or icing of the distal legs (from knee down) can also minimize the risks of laminitis and should strongly be considered.