Emergency Info
(scroll down for emergency kit ideas, normal physiologic parameters, emergency vet referral practices in New England, and farrier contacts)
Emergency coverage is an important and necessary part of any veterinary practice. To be available to our clients and their horses at times of emergency is basic to our practice and we strive to be responsive.
What actually is an emergency that may warrant immediate veterinary attention? The basic tenet of this subject is that if in doubt – CALL!! Many emergencies are obvious; lacerations, colic, acute, severe lameness, closed and tearing eyes, "sick" horses, etc. but many times it is not so clear whether a particular problem constitutes an emergency. Horses with snotty noses or cough, or those with runny eyes or those off-feed or "not quite right" or lame, etc., etc. may be considered emergencies by a given owner but may in fact not need immediate care. What may be necessary though is communication between the owner and the veterinarian. We therefore strongly encourage our clients not to hesitate to call us at 802-283-9977, leave your call-back number and stay by the phone.
ANIMAL POISON CONTROL HOTLINE 888-426-4435
EMERGENCY KIT
1. THERMOMETER
2. WATCH
3. FLASHLIGHT
4. SCISSORS, +/- HEMOSTATS
5. ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT
6. CONTAINER OF CLEAN WATER
7. NON-STICK PADS (TELFA PADS)
8. GAUZE ROLL
9. LEG COTTONS (STABLE BANDAGES WITH QUILTS)
10. VET WRAP
11. WHITE ADHESIVE TAPE AND DUCT TAPE
12. BETADINE SCRUB
13. 4X4 GAUZE SPONGES
14. DISPOSABLE GLOVES
15. CHEMICAL ICE PACK
16. VETERINARIAN PHONE NUMBERS
17. PEN AND PAPER
18. VASELINE
19. CELL PHONE AVAILABLE
20. TOWELS
21. +/- STETHOSCOPE
22. +/- DRUGS TO BE DISCUSSED WITH VETERINARIAN.
[such as banamine, bute, antibiotics, tranquilizer, antibiotic eye ointment (talk to vet)]
23. WORKING CLIPPERS
24 . DOSE SYRINGE
25. Paper towels, alcohol wipes, soap available to clean hands
26. YOUR OWN GOOD IDEAS
The picture on the left outlines the area of the neck where it is appropriate to give an intramuscular injection for drugs such as IM antibiotics, Banamine, vaccinations, oxytocin, some other hormone therapies, etc. Always check with the veterinarian if you are not sure what is the correct route of administration for a particular drug.
 
The optional buttock IM injection site is also appropriate with the understanding that the owner should use safe horse handling skills. This practice only uses the neck area for IM injections.
KNOW YOUR HORSE'S NORMAL PHYSIOLOGIC PARAMETERS
NORMAL ADULT TEMP: 99.5 TO 101.3 F
** USE VASELINE ON ANY THERMOMETER
NORMAL ADULT PULSE: 28-40 bpm
** TAKEN UNDER JAW OR USE A STETHOSCOPE
RESPIRATORY RATE: 12-18 bpm
** LOOK AT CHEST EXCURSIONS **
VETERINARY REFERRAL PRACTICES
New England Equine Surgical Dover, NH 603-749-9111
Vermont Large Animal/Surgery Milton, VT 802-893-6800
Sequist Animal Hospital Morrisville, VT 802-888-2466
Burlington Equine Veterinary Charlotte,VT 802-425-5454
(sports medicine, alternative therapies, no emergencies)
Cornell Hospital for Animals Ithaca, NY 607-253-3100
Tufts University Vet School N. Grafton, MA 508-839-5395
Myhre Equine Rochester, NH 603-335-7777
(inc. nuclear scintigraphy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, surgery)
FARRIERS
Steve Sandvil 802- 274-2025
Dale McCalister 802-467-3095
Bruce Mathews 802-888-7505
Courtney Mead 802-334-2543; 988-2503
Timothy Mulligan 802-371-8842
Mike Sandvil 802- 748-5283
Mark Buik 802- 584-4218
Joe Osgood 802- 439-5469
Jason Mulligan 802-426-3694
Butch Kimball 802- 223-5568
Patirck Knight 603-444-2265
Mark Brandt 802-426-3560
Hayden Tanner 802-467-3446
Mike Platt 603-444-5509
Adam Dupont 603- 788-3551
Seth Gardner 802-223-1370
Sam Miller 802- 684-2559
Matt Shippee 802-456-1505 ,802-895-4461
Brook Howe 802-826-2385
Thad Gouge 802-426-3141
We are still working on making an accurate farrier list.
If you know a farrier who may want to be added to this page, please let us know. Call us to make corrections. Thanks.
SAFETY ISSUES
Stall Cleaning safety
Although it is often common practice to clean stalls with the horses in the stalls, it is not best practice. If temporary holding stalls or turnouts can be found, the safety of the horse and the cleaner will be optimized in case a horse startles or a cleaner is less experienced or distracted.
Is your grain secure?
Locks and secure grain containers will keep the horses safe from colic caused by overeating in the event they get out of the stall. Additionally, if possible keep the hay storage area away from the horses to prevent respiratory distress caused by dust. A well-ventilated barn is a healthier barn.
Using a twitch safely
A past issue of The Horse (11/04) has a useful article on twitch use.
* Practice using the twitch before an urgent situation arises.
* A twitch is used for only short periods of time.
* Use the twitch calmly without rushing.
* To the holder of the twitch: do not let go as it could hit someone.
* Do not lead the horse with the twitch.
* Constantly monitor the horse's response to the twitch. If there is a question about the horse being in distress, calmly and slowly release the twitch even if the job is not done. Safety first !
Is your horse property safe?
Check carefully for protruding nails, screws, loose boards, etc.
Tighten loose bolts and screws on hinges and other devices that get daily use.
Check for broken or misaligned stall doors.
Walk your fields and paddocks periodically looking for dangers such as metal, loose fencing, pot holes, anything out of place.
Check for loose or broken feed dishes, hay racks, etc.
Check stall floor condition and maintain adequate bedding.
Check aisles and door openings for obstructions.
Check fire extinguisher charge.
Watch for loose or damaged siding or roofing panels.
Clean and secure the hay storage area.
Visually inspect electrical devices, lights, and exposed wiring. If a device is plugged in but is usually turned off, unplug it.
Check storage areas for inappropriate materials, i.e., flammable items or chemicals.
Keep all drugs, de-wormers, linaments, etc. in a secure area
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