***scroll down for ideas for your equine emergency kit***
What actually is an emergency that may warrant immediate vet attention?
The basic tenet of this subject is that if in doubt.......CALL !
We are happy to talk you. Beep us so you can speak to us quickly.
**note- you may have to wait a bit if we are in a bad cell zone.
Many emergencies are obvious: lacerations, colic, acute and severe lameness,
a closed and tearing eye, and "sick horses". But, many times it is not so clear
if it is a true emergency or if it can wait a day. Give us a call to talk about it!
Eyelid lacerations are fairly common and often occur in stalls associated with hanging hardware (ex: grain bucket holders, hay racks, etc.). Fortunately they usually heal well following tranquilization, local anaesthesia and careful suturing. Repair of these lacerations should be instituted as soon as possible for best results. It is important to examine the eye itself to rule out any attendant corneal damage. Surgical repair of these hanging lids should always be attempted and simply cutting off the flap should be avoided as this will result in a permanent eyelid defect making the eyeball more susceptible to corneal drying and physical damage.
Eyelid laceration pre surgery.
Above eyelid laceration post surgery
This 4 year old Arabian stallion jumped a fence and both fractured his ulna and dislocated the elbow joint. Surgical repair was carried out at UC Davis and the colt went home and eventually returned to normal activities
This 20 year old gelding fractured his jaw after getting his mouth caught in the bars of his stall. This fracture was repaired by Dr. Myhre and myself at Rochester Equine Clinic by wiring the teeth together (see next picture)
Though not life threatening porcupine quills may be very upsetting and uncomfortable for both the horse and owner. Following tranquilization the quills are carefully grasped and pulled out. One must be careful to remove the entire quill and avoid breaking them off within the tissue. Left in pieces of quill may result in tissue migration and possible abcessation.
A closed, painful, teatring eye is considered an emergency in our practice. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the condition. The use af a fluorescein dye applied to the eye allows us to determine whether there is corneal damage and the extent of that damage (see next picture).
Fluoroscein dye will "stick" to any area of corneal epithelial damage (green) such as would occur from an abrasion. Routine corneal abrasions usually respond well to the use of antibiotic ointments. Any worsening of the signs however requires veterinary re-examination without delay. Ophthalmic ointments containing steroids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) should never be used without veterinary examination and staining of the eye as they could make the condition worse.
Rope burns, as seen here, with closer up below, can be devastating injuries. Never put your horse in a position where a long tethered lead could get caught around the legs.
Some emergencies can never be foreseen. This horse ran into a tree and impaled herself on a branch. Careful removal of the stick and long term wound care led to a successful outcome. This is also a good image to reinforce that all horses should be up to date on their tetanus protection.
ANIMAL POISON CONTROL HOTLINE 888-426-4435
A BASIC EMERGENCY KIT FOR THE BARN
1. THERMOMETER
2. WATCH
3. FLASHLIGHT
4. SCISSORS, +/- HEMOSTATS
5. ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT
6. SMALL CONTAINER OF CLEAN WATER
7. NON-STICK PADS (TELFA)
8. GAUZE ROLLS (4 inch is rec.)
9. LEG COTTONS / STABLE BANDAGES
10. VET WRAP (4 inch is rec.)
11. WHITE TAPE AND DUCT TAPE
12. TAMED BETADINE SCRUB
13. A BUNCH OF 4X4 SPONGES OR GAUZE PADS
14. DISPOSABLE GLOVES
15. CHEMICAL ICE PACK
16. VETERARIANS' PHONE NUMBERS
17. PEN AND PAPER
18. KNOW WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRAILER YOUR HORSE
19. VASELINE
20. TOWELS
21. STETHOSCOPE +/-
22. MEDS SUCH AS BANAMINE and BUTE
23. WORKING CLIPPERS
24. DOSE SYRINGES (30- 60 cc long nozzle tip is rec.)
(ie: for flushing a wound, or mixing a pill/ powder med.with a liquid for oral admin.)
Eyelid lacerations are fairly common and often occur in stalls associated with hanging hardware (ex: grain bucket holders, hay racks, etc.). Fortunately they usually heal well following tranquilization, local anaesthesia and careful suturing. Repair of these lacerations should be instituted as soon as possible for best results. It is important to examine the eye itself to rule out any attendant corneal damage. Surgical repair of these hanging lids should always be attempted and simply cutting off the flap should be avoided as this will result in a permanent eyelid defect making the eyeball more susceptible to corneal drying and physical damage. 
Eyelid laceration pre surgery.
Above eyelid laceration post surgery
This 4 year old Arabian stallion jumped a fence and both fractured his ulna and dislocated the elbow joint. Surgical repair was carried out at UC Davis and the colt went home and eventually returned to normal activities
This 20 year old gelding fractured his jaw after getting his mouth caught in the bars of his stall. This fracture was repaired by Dr. Myhre and myself at Rochester Equine Clinic by wiring the teeth together (see next picture)
Though not life threatening porcupine quills may be very upsetting and uncomfortable for both the horse and owner. Following tranquilization the quills are carefully grasped and pulled out. One must be careful to remove the entire quill and avoid breaking them off within the tissue. Left in pieces of quill may result in tissue migration and possible abcessation.
A closed, painful, teatring eye is considered an emergency in our practice. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the condition. The use af a fluorescein dye applied to the eye allows us to determine whether there is corneal damage and the extent of that damage (see next picture).
Fluoroscein dye will "stick" to any area of corneal epithelial damage (green) such as would occur from an abrasion. Routine corneal abrasions usually respond well to the use of antibiotic ointments. Any worsening of the signs however requires veterinary re-examination without delay. Ophthalmic ointments containing steroids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) should never be used without veterinary examination and staining of the eye as they could make the condition worse. 
Rope burns, as seen here, with closer up below, can be devastating injuries. Never put your horse in a position where a long tethered lead could get caught around the legs.
Some emergencies can never be foreseen. This horse ran into a tree and impaled herself on a branch. Careful removal of the stick and long term wound care led to a successful outcome. This is also a good image to reinforce that all horses should be up to date on their tetanus protection.