Below is helpful information about caring for your horse in the event of an emergency.
Also, routine vaccination guidelines, descriptions, and schedules.
Click on the topic heading to read the information.
Castration After Care
- After surgery, confine the horse to a clean stall or small lot for the next day and observe him closely for excessive bleeding or the presence or tissue prolapsing from the incision site. If either occurs, call us immediately. After the first day, the horse should then be turned out for free choice exercise as much as possible.
- A slight amount of occasional drainage from the incision sites is normal, as is swelling of the prepuce area. If the swelling exceeds the size of an orange, this usually indicates that the horse is not receiving enough exercise. Swelling over the incision is not usually normal and may indicate infection or closure of the incision, which does not allow drainage. EXERCISE IS IMPERATIVE TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SWELLING.
- FORCED exercise is necessary as postoperative swelling and pain limits the horse’s willingness to move. If it becomes necessary, ride, lunge or by other means forcibly exercise the horse 15 to 20 minutes twice daily.
- If your horse exhibits excessive swelling, soreness, depression or lack of appetite, take his temperature and call us immediately if his temperature is above 102.0 degrees F. (A temperature in this range may indicate infection.)
- At the time of surgery, your horse should be given a “booster” tetanus immunization. After surgery, antibiotics are not usually needed unless prescribed by the surgeon or unless complications arise.
- Healing should be completed in 14 to 21 days. If necessary, fly repellent ointment may be applied around the incision (not directly to the incision). There are no sutures that require removal.
- Your recently gelded stallion may still be capable of impregnating mares for several days after castration, due to retained spermatozoa in the ducts leading to the penis. Therefore, it is best to separate recently gelded horses from mares for at least 30 days.
Emergencies & First Aid
Temperature: | 99.0-101.5 °F (100.5 +/-) |
Pulse/Heart Rate: | 24-48 beats per minute (average 36) |
Respiration Rate: | 8-20 breaths per minute (average 12) |
Mucus Membrane Color: | Pale pink |
Capillary Refill Time: | < 2 seconds |
It is a good practice to check your horse’s vital signs regularly so that you can quickly recognize when something is abnormal and react to the situation in the appropriate manner. If you do encounter an emergency situation gather the following information before you call the veterinarian. Vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration rate, mucus membrane color and capillary refill time, will inform the veterinarian on the seriousness of the injury or illness. Be prepared to list specific details such as the location and nature of the injury, the horse’s attitude (agitated/depressed), the time that the injury has occurred, and if the horse is lame and the degree of lameness.
There are several situations that are true emergencies and require immediate veterinary attention. Below is a list of the most common emergencies, but of course the list is not inclusive. Injury with profuse bleeding; Obvious or Suspected Fractures; Cut that requires sutures; Nail in the Hoof; Sudden Lameness; Respiratory distress; Choke; Seizures; Tying Up; Eye Injury; Colic; Allergic Reaction
Injuries with Profuse Bleeding
Fractured Limb
Eye Injury
Choke
Tying Up
Colic
Items to have On Hand in an Equine First Aid Kit
Important phone numbers, veterinarian, horse ambulance and farrier. Thermometer; Saline Solution to rinse eyes; Vet Wrap; Gauze; Cotton Wraps; Wound ointment; Scissors; Electrolytes; Dilute Iodine solution; Hoof pick; Twitch; Ophthalmic ointment; Latex gloves; Syringes; Epsom Salts; Duct Tape
It is also a good idea to keep some medication on hand. Do not administer any medication with out the direction of a veterinarian. Phenylbutazone and banamine are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and aid in controlling inflammation and pain.
Vaccine Descriptions
- RHINO/FLU (Rhinopneumonitis/Influenza): This vaccination combats respiratory diseases and is recommended 1 to 6 times per year depending on the horse’s lifestyle. Influenza is the most common cause of respiratory disease in the horse. Yearly may be enough for the backyard horse that never leaves home. Breeding barns may be advised to vaccinate every 2-3 months to protect mares. Show and boarded horses, which come into contact with new or a high number of horses may also be advised to vaccinate more frequently. Speak to your veterinarian about your horse’s needs.
- TETANUS: This is a neurological disease. Horses should initially receive 2 doses over a 3 to 4 week interval, then annually. This is an important vaccination in preventative care and no horse should be left unprotected. Tetanus is generally fatal. The efficacy of this vaccine is very high.
- POTOMAC HORSE FEVER: PHF moved into our region in 1988. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, founder and occasionally death. Believed to be transmitted by mayflies and seen in the summer months, it is best to vaccinate in the spring. Initially horses should receive two doses 3-4 weeks apart then annually.
- RABIES: Rabies is a neurological and invariably fatal disease. Horses suffer from the “dummy” form of rabies. Symptoms show first as colic and progress to neurological. With a surge of rabies making it’s way across the country we recommend immunizing all horses, dogs and cats.
- WEST NILE: West Nile is prevalent in our area. Spread by mosquitoes, this virus causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Affected horses can suffer muscle weakness, partial paralysis, fever, convulsions, coma and death. We strongly recommend vaccinating for this disease. Initially 2 doses are given 3-4 weeks apart then annually. A fall booster may be recommended by Dr. Abraham.
- EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (Sleeping Sickness): Similar to West Nile and transmitted by mosquitoes, Equine Encephalomyelitis attacks the brain and central nervous system. Afflicted horses may lose their appetite, display excitable behavior, and walk blindly into objects. There are three strains of the virus. Eastern (EEE) kills 75-100% of infected horses and is the most deadly. Western (WEE) is less severe and more common. Venezuelan (VEE) is recommended for horses in states bordering Mexico. Vaccinate annually in the spring. Horses receiving their first dose must have a booster in 3-4 weeks.
- RHINOPNEUMONITIS (PNEUMABORT-K): Herpes virus form of Rhino is the most common cause of abortion. Vaccinate pregnant mares in the 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy.
- STRANGLES (Distemper): Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Symptoms are fever, nasal discharge, cough, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes in the head. Strangles is transmitted via nasal secretions, pus from draining abscesses, flies and contaminated objects. Ask your veterinarian for specific vaccination recommendations.
- EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS (EVA): Most commonly given to breeding animals in endemic areas. Iowa is not an endemic area.
- INTRANASAL INFLUENZA VACCINE (FLU-AVERT): Protects against influenza and is given at the source of infection, the nasal passages. Highly effective and recommended for horses at boarding stables, breeding facilities and racetracks.