Like domesticated pets such as cats and dogs, horses also need urgent medical attention occasionally. When your horse exhibits poor health, seek equine veterinary care immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. But how do you know that their condition requires urgent medical attention?
Signs Your Horse Need an Emergency Medical Attention
Not all horse owners or breeders are experts in equine care. To help you assess an emergency medical situation, watch for the following signs of distress in your horse, such as:
- Breathing difficulty or rapid breathing
- Sudden lameness or pain
- Colic (abdominal pain)
- Excessive bleeding or swelling at any body site
- Uncontrolled seizures or head pressing
- Unusual swelling anywhere on the body
- High temperature (over 101°F)
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual lung sounds
- Muscle spasms
- Chronic coughing
What to Do When Your Horse Needs an Emergency Medical Care
Contact a Qualified Veterinarian
If you observe any of the indications of a health problem mentioned above, call an equine veterinarian immediately to evaluate the severity of the situation and provide appropriate treatment. They may require lab tests, imaging, or other diagnostics to help determine the cause of your horse’s symptoms. Explore here how these are done here.
If you don’t know any vet who specializes in equine care, search the internet for the nearest emergency vet. Provide them with as many details as possible, including any recent changes in behavior related to your horse’s illness or injury.
Follow Their Instructions
Your vet will provide instructions on how best to transport your horse or whether they should come to you instead. Most importantly, they should advise you on what medications are safe and appropriate for your horse before they arrive.
Stay Calm and Keep Your Horse Calm
Once you have contacted the vet, try to stay as calm as possible and do not panic. Distress or a change in environment can worsen the conditions for horses with certain medical conditions. Try to keep them comfortable and wait until the veterinarian arrives before attempting any treatments on your own.
Decide on the Appropriate Treatment
There are many treatment options for horses, depending on their condition that your vet will discuss. These include:
- Medications. Medications are often used to treat horses with mild or moderate medical conditions. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antacids, sedatives, or other drugs to help manage their condition.
- Surgery. In more serious cases, your vet may recommend surgery if they believe it is the best treatment option for your horse’s illness or injury. For instance, they may need to remove a damaged organ or repair torn muscles or ligaments.
- Alternative therapies. Alternative therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage, can be used to treat certain illnesses in horses, although not all vets offer these services. The most common conditions that need these therapies are colic and lameness. You may visit https://www.fevaocala.com/therapeutics.html to learn more about how these work.
Along with these treatment choices, your vet may require dietary restrictions or a different exercise routine while your horse is recovering. They may also recommend supplements to help speed up your horse’s recovery.