WHEN TO CALL THE VET
If in doubt, call the vet out.
If any of the symptoms below are shown, call the vet immediately-
A wound that is bleeding profusely, especially if it is dark red and pumping- while waiting apply pressure to the wound with a clean gauze if available, or a tourniquet if bleeding out seems possible (a description of this is in ‘wounds’). Do not remove any foreign body unless you have to. Keep the horse as still as possible.
A horse that has collapsed for any reason but is not sleeping.
Any signs of colic: rolling, kicking at the stomach, sweating for no obvious reason, breathing oddly, no poos, trying to wee with no results.
Any discharge or bleeding from an orifice that is not resolved easily or has a simple explanation.
Any issue with the eye.
Temperature one degree higher or lower than the horse’s normal.
Choke- where the horse has something stuck in his esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to stomach). Symptoms are: struggling to breathe, staggering and gunk coming from nose and mouth. Keep the horse as calm as possible until the vet comes, do not offer any more food or water.
Loss of appetite.
No poop or wee.
A heave line appears, or the horse appears tucked up.
Lameness.
Coughing that does not clear quickly.
Any swelling or unusual lumps or bumps.
While waiting for the vet
Keep the horse still and as calm as possible.The exception to this is in cases of colic, where walking around slowly, making sure you keep them away from anything they can get caught in while rolling, can ease the symptoms.
Do not give any food or water.
Gather the information needed to help the vet:
A- when the symptoms occurred.
B- possible reasons for the symptoms, if known (for example kick, barbed wire or eaten something poisonous).
C- treatment from first symptoms.
D- if this has happened before and the treatment used.
E- details of all vaccinations, especially tetanus if there is a wound.
F- any allergies the horse may have.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes calling the vet early can save your horse a lot of pain and suffering, as well as your pocket.
I can not stress enough, if in doubt, call them out.
If your horse appears unwell or has had an accident try to stay as calm as you can, as they will pick up on your stress making matters worse. Have an action plan for instances like this, so you will have in mind what you need to do.
Remember hindsight is wonderful, you can only do your best at the time.