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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