Horse Veterinarian
A Horse Veterinarian is much needed at equine rescue facilities
Coggins test
A Coggins test is a blood sample used to identify the presence of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Equine Infectious Anemia is a potentially fatal disease with no current treatment available. All equines entering our facility will have a negative test from the owner/agency, or will be quarantined until our vet tests them.
Bones & Joints
Starting equines too young, or working them at any age too hard, can cause bone and joint issues. Too much stress isn't good for immature horses and since many equines love to run, they can trip or step in a hole and break a bone. Some are involved in accidents while being transported or get through a fence and onto a roadway.
Equine Dental
Dental exams by the vet are crucial. If an equine needs its teeth floated, chances are it hasn't been able to eat without pain and will lose weight. They can also have a tooth or gum infection, a lacerated tongue and other injuries/infections that prevent them from getting eating the food and nutrition they need.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries tend to heal well, unless an underlying infection occurs unknowingly. If these injuries are bad, a vet will be called to take care of them and provide medication, if needed. it is recommended that all equines have a Tetanus shot, they can get scratched on a rusty fence or other rusted metal objects.
Horse's Vital Signs
Sound From The Inside Out
The normal range is 28 to 44 beats per minute. A rapid rate may indicate pain from; colic, anxiety or stress, exertion, fever and internal problems or disease. A low rate may indicate shock, hypothermia, poison, or possibly just in good atletic condition.
Normal range is 99.5 to 101.5 degrees. A higher temperature may indicate pain, infection, heat exhaustion, or over exertion. A low temperature may indicate shock, hypothermia due to exposure in extreme cold or water.
Normal rate is 10 to 18 breaths per minute. A faster breathing rate may indicate fever, pain such as colic, shock, heat exhaustion, or breathing difficulty due to a lung issue or obstructed airway. A nervous animal will breathe faster as well as exercising.
Gums should be pale pink is they are white or extremely pale it may indicate blood not being pumped effectively, shock, or anemia. Dark or purple gums may indicate severe shock or toxemia meaning, heart is not pumping effectively causing the blood to pool in gums.
Raise the upper lip and press firmly with your thumb against the gum above the teeth. Remove your thumb and count how many seconds it takes to return to its normal color. The blood should return in 1 to 3 seconds. Slow refill may indicate shock due to circulation.
Louder, frequent sounds may be mild colic from intestinal spasms or gas. No sounds means no movement and may indicate shock or severe colic shutting down the digestive tract. A horse veternarian knows 2-4 gurgles/minute with a large rumble every 2-3 minutes.