Welcome to Equine U! The USEF Education Department has established a weekly blog with information that will be helpful to those owning horses or competing at all levels. We will provide expanded information and material to better educate USEF members not only about the Federation but also about anything related to horses at competitions. We will post articles from various “guest” writers as well as from of our own experiences at competitions and seminars.
Thus first post is an article written by Dr. Amanda House of the University of Florida College of Veterinarian Medicine and provides valuable information on When to Call the Vet. More information and other interesting articles can be found on the University of Florida website at http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/equine/ .
Reprinted with permission from Dr. Amanda House, DVM, DACVIM:
Although certain illnesses and conditions will have obvious signs and indicators that a veterinarian should be called, others may not. It is critical to know the normal behavior, attitude, and gait of your horses, since changes that could require veterinary attention may be subtle at first. No one knows your horse better than you. Learn how to take your horse’s heart rate (normal 28-48 beats per minute), respiratory rate (10-20 breaths per minute), and temperature (99-101.5ºF), and know the normal values for your horse. Be familiar with normal gum color (light pink) and capillary refill time (less than 2 seconds). Understanding normal for your horse will help you identify subtle changes, and improve communication with your veterinarian.
Equally important as knowing when to call your vet, is having a plan for emergencies. Keep important phone numbers readily available, have a plan for transportation if your horse requires referral to a hospital, and keep a first aid kit on the farm and in your trailer. Consider discussing a backup veterinarian with your vet in case they are unavailable. Keeping directions and maps available to local veterinary hospitals may help expedite travel should that be necessary. Most importantly, remember to stay calm and call your vet sooner rather than later if you suspect a problem.
When should I call the vet about my….
Foal:
Remember the 1-2-3 Rule! 1 hour to stand, 2 hours to nurse, and 3 hours for the mare to
pass the placenta. If any of these are broken – call your vet!
Mare has no milk, foal not nursing, IgG low (not enough colostrum)
All foals should be evaluated by a veterinarian within 12-24 hours of birth to ensure
adequate passive transfer
Diarrhea in first few days of life or any diarrhea that persists
Fever (Temperature > 102ºF)
Behavior abnormal
Seizures or other neurological signs
Unable to stand
Colic, Bloated
Milk coming out nose
Difficulty breathing or increased respiratory rate
Any abnormalities with the eye – tearing, squinting, swelling, cloudy appearance
Straining to urinate or defecate
Lame, swollen joint or joints
Call if any doubts or questions
Yearlings and Adults: see Specific Symptoms and Conditions
Older Horse: Also see specific symptoms and conditions
Losing weight
Not eating well
Dropping feed or difficulty chewing may indicate dental disease
Not shedding out in spring/ long, curly hair coat
Drinking and/or urinating excessively
Lameness
Reminders for veterinary calls in the…
Spring:
Routine Vaccination of adults
Discuss deworming schedule for the year/ fecal exams
Annual Physical/wellness examination
Breeding soundness exams on mares and stallions
Foal wellness exam in first 12-24 hours of life and IgG check
Summer
Begin vaccination series for weanlings at 4-6 months of age
Deworming foals and weanlings begin at 30-60 days of age
Fall
Vaccination boosters, 2nd dose weanlings
Annual dental exam (any time of year)
Wellness Examination
Winter
Vaccination 3rd dose weanlings
Any time of year:
If you are purchasing a new horse, call your veterinarian for a thorough physical
and soundness examination.
Any time you suspect an emergency or note any of the symptoms listed below
Specific Symptoms and Conditions:
Call the vet if your horse has…
Fever (Temp > 101.5ºF adult, >102ºF foal): Temperatures over 103 F indicate a serious
problem, and your horse should be placed in a cool area with fans and hosed off until
the vet arrives.
Abnormal gum color (red, purple, white, or yellow)
Squinting, swollen, cloudy or tearing eye
Yellow or green nasal discharge
Loss of appetite or difficulty eating
Chronic cough
Sweating profusely
Lame (head-bobbing, reluctant to walk or trot, laying down more than usual)
Unable to get up
Unable to move
Gait uncoordinated (ataxia) or stumbling excessively
Seizures or collapse
Profuse bleeding, deep wounds or lacerations
Difficulty breathing (nostril flare, distressed, increased respiratory rate)
Injury over a joint, tendon, or on the bottom of the foot
Depression or anxiety
Diarrhea (more than loose manure from excitement/trailering)
Blood in the urine
Heat stress
Unusual swelling or suspected bite (snake, spider, etc)
Mare is foaling and there is no progression in 10-15 minutes from water breaking:
normal deliveries take 30-40 minutes from water break to foal on the ground.
Colic:
Pawing, rolling, stretching out, flank watching
Sooner is ALWAYS better than later – Call when you notice a problem!
Signs are severe or unrelenting
Persistent pain despite initial treatment with pain reliever/sedatives
High heart rate/respiratory rate/abnormal gums
Chronic, mild signs of colic
Remember that this list is not exhaustive. If you have specific concerns about your horse’s condition, it is always better to call and discuss them with your veterinarian. Earlier diagnosis and treatment typically provides you and your horse with the best possible outcome.