Equine First Aid
November 10, 2001
Instructor: Wayne Browning, DVM
TPR
Normal Temperature - 99.5 - 101 degrees F
Normal Pulse - 28 - 44 beats per minute
Normal Respiration Rate - 8 - 20
When examining horse
1. Check Temperature, Pulse, Respiration (TPR)
2. Listen for gut sounds - Get to know what's normal for your horse. a) To check for gut sounds, listen (with stethoscope or by ear) at left or right flank area. One to three gut sounds per minute is normal.
3. Check for shock symptoms:
a) Gums are pale or blue, or darker reddish color with dehydration or endotoxemia.
b) Slow CRT
c) Thready irregular pulse
d) Increased heart rate
e) Depressed behavior
Treatment for wounds
1. Stop bleeding
a) Direct pressure with bandaging. Example: towel wrapped with ace bandage.
b) Tourniquet. Apply for up to two hours. Release every 1/2 hour for short periods.
c) Use cold water and ice to constrict blood vessels.
2. Clean wound with water and with dose syringe and betadine. Don't disturb blood clot.
3. If foreign body in wound, leave in if possible. If object must be removed, mark the mark site in foot where it was.
Treatment for burns
1. Immediate application of cold water or blankets soaked in ice water
2. Clip surrounding hair, apply gentle antiseptic wash, apply antibacterial ointment.
3. Stable horse in warm environment to fight increased metabolic rate and heat loss.
(Most animals with burns exceeding 50% of their body will die within 10 days)
Treatment for eye and head injuries
1. For head injury: Apply cold compress for 5 to 10 minutes every 2 hours up to 12 hours. After 12 hours apply warm compresses.
2. Acute head trauma: May take hours before neurological signs show.
a) A neurological symptom: Eye movement back and forth, with slower eye movement in one direction.
3. For eye injury - Apply eye ointment - antibiotics only. Cannot overdo eye ointment, the benefits from each application only lasts 30 minutes.
Treatment for colic
1. Impaction - low grade pain, decreased gut sounds. Give Banamine (anti-inflammatory) and, if necessary, Dormosedan (tranquilizer) in the muscle. (NOTE: will not be able to walk horse if treated with dormosedan)
2. Spasmodic - Gut sounds increased, may pass many smaller piles of manure. Inject Banamine (anti-inflammatory), Dipyrone (anti-spasmodic) and, if necessary, Dormosedan (tranquilizer) in the muscle.
Treatment for tying-up
Two types:
- Azituria (Monday Morning Illness): Possibly caused by inactivity and rich food followed by exercise, usually occurs shortly after beginning work. More akin to a "charley horse".
Do not walk horse. Inject Banamine (anti-inflammatory) and Acepromazine (tranquilizer) into the muscle. Let horse stand with food and water available. Blanket horse to keep warm. Lightly exercise for two days following incident. - Runners cramp (true type of tying-up). If tying-up occurs shortly after hard work then may be runners cramp. Walking horse is ok to loosen up muscles. This form of tying up is also treated with Banamine or Bute.
Treatment for bee stings
Give Solu-delta-cortef in extreme emergency. Then give Azium - 20 mg first day, followed by 10 mg for two days. Can also give Banamine or Bute for comfort.
Use of Emergency Drugs
1. Tranquilizers are contraindicated until shock is ruled out
2. Bute or Banamine -- use to reduce swelling and inflammation.
**Remember:
Avoid risking injury to horse or person
Don't attempt to transport horse if physical status is uncertain
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