What do you do when you have an Equine Emergency?

Call 272-4537

Between 8 and noon, Monday thru Friday, our office staff will answer the phone and arrange for a doctor to respond. After noon, on the weekend or a holiday, you will be directed to do the following by the phone greeting.

1. Press “5” to leave a message for the doctor on call.
2. Be sure to speak slowly and leave a telephone number where you can be reached. The doctor will be paged as soon as you hang up.
3. Stay by the phone and wait for the doctor to call you back. He will usually do so within 15 minutes.
4. If you do not receive a call back from the doctor within 15 minutes, call again. If we are on another emergency, we may be out of cell phone reception. We will call back when we receive your message. We take emergencies very seriously.

EMERGENCY TIPS

It is best to call when you suspect an emergency, and not wait until the last minute. Depending on your horse’s condition, you may be coached to provide immediate care until the doctor can get there or care until a regularly scheduled appointment is made. Early intervention often avoids the need for an emergency call.

Common Emergencies

• Colic If your horse is not eating, not drinking, getting up and down, looking at his/her stomach, pawing, breathing heavily, or generally uncomfortable you might have a colic. This is a potentially life threatening condition and you should call immediately. If the animal is rolling and thrashing, you may walk him until help arrives, assuming it is safe for you to do so. Withdraw all food but provide access to water.
• Breathing Difficulties Labored breathing or obstruction of the airway may be life threatening. Call immediately.
• Serious Bleeding Apply direct pressure to the wound and call us immediately.
• Major Trauma If your horse has fallen, been stuck by a moving vehicle, or suffers multiple wounds from an unseen accident call us, even if your horse initially appears unharmed.
• Head Tilt, Seizure, Staggering These symptoms may indicate a neurological problem. Call when you notice any of these symptoms. Lacerations and Bite Wounds Wounds that penetrate the skin are contaminated and may become infected within several hours. Many wounds seem minor on the surface but hide more extensive injuries to vital tissues below. Clean the wound, bandage if possible, and call to consult with our vets.
• Poisoning When you know or suspect your horse has ingested a poisonous substance, call immediately to receive emergency instructions and to assess the need for additional medical treatment.

Any call which requires immediate attention is considered urgent or an emergency. Because we have 3 doctors, we usually respond within ½ hour. Our regular clients are our top priority.