Horse Normal Vital Signs
Temperature 99-1010 F
Heart Rate 30-36 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate 12-25 beats per minute
Emergency Calls - What to know……
In many of the frequently encountered emergency situations, early communication with your veterinarian will be important in treating your horse appropriately. Even on weekends and holidays there is always a veterinarian “on-call” and with the use of pagers and cell phones our ability to respond to emergencies has improved dramatically. However, we rely on you to provide us with information regarding your horse’s condition so that we can best advise you over the phone, and determine if an emergency all is needed. We will use this information to address your horse’s needs in the most efficient and effective manner possible, but we appreciate your understanding that cell phones and pagers are only as good as the reception they receive. IF you have not heard from the veterinarian on call within a reasonable amount of time (15 –20 minutes), please call the answering service again! And do your best to be by the phone and keep the line clear! Also, remember that sometimes we may have to finish another emergency call or travel long distances before we can reach you.
Information to provide the veterinarian over the phone:
The horse:
Horse’s name, owner, location – We may ask you for breed, age, breeding dates, history of colic, deworming, vaccination history, recent shoeing, new hay or other dietary changes, new horses in the barn, recent work/travel history or other veterinary services.
The problem:
What is the exact problem (laceration, colic, lameness, etc.)? How long has it been going on? What are the signs that you are observing? Have these signs changed, gotten better or worse? Has there been any treatment (Banamine, bran mash, etc)? What was the effect of the treatment?
How is the horse right now?
Location (standing quietly on cross-ties, thrashing or cast in a stall, etc), Mentation (bright, dull, nonresponsive), Temperature, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate and effort (breathing normal or fast, blowing, flared nostrils), Gums (color, wet/dry), Gut sounds, Manure production and consistency (dry, wet, diarrhea), Urine (amount, frequency, color), Nasal discharge (one/both nostrils, clear, mucoid, green). If your horse is in acute distress or it is dangerous for you to obtain this information, then please do not put yourself at risk. However, this can be valuable information for everyone if we are prioritizing emergencies and trying to determine if an emergency call is needed to be able to help you and your horse.
Permission To Treat and Payment:
As with any other farm call, payment for procedures during an emergency call is expected at the time of service. As with all of our clients, we ask that a permission form giving us your consent to treat your horse has been signed prior to performing these services. It is especially important during an emergency situation (where you as the owner may not be at the barn or available by phone) that the person acting on your behalf has the legal and financial authority to make decisions regarding your horses. At no point should patient care or your horse’s well-being be jeopardized by paperwork, but an emergency can be dealt with much more efficiently if these details are taken care of ahead of time. Remember – educate, prepare, communicate (and then keep your fingers crossed)!
Common Emergencies – What to check for, what to do…
The following is a quick table of medical problems that you may have with your horse. These are suggestions for things to check and good first aid guidelines. In all situations, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian early during a problem situation, and especially before giving any medication. Also, if you are going to give any Bute or Banamine, please take your horse’s temperature first because these medications will lower body temperature and mask a fever!