Most common equine emergencies
Colic, respiratory distress, fractures and wounds
Colic is any condition causing
abdominal pain
Two categories of colic
will resolve with minimal or no tx; will not resolve w/ tx
Signs of mild pain in colic
pawing, stretching out
curled lip
standing quietly
signs of moderate pain in colic
sedation yields only short periods of comfort
elevated HR
Signs of severe pain in colic
-throws self on ground
-inability to stand for short periods
-constant rolling on ground
-banging side of head on ground
-sedation: no effect
-abrasions
-Dirt, hay, mud in coat
Labs for colic
CBC
Biochemical profile
PCV
TP
Lactate
Fibrinogen
Two categories of respiratory emergencies
Upper airway - most common, obstruction of airflow to lungs
Lower airway-lung disease, failure to inflate lungs
What should be radiographed for respiratory tract
Head and neck
Thoracic cavity
What are transtracheal washes (TTW) used for
-Pneumonia dx
-Bacterial culture
-Cytologic preparation of respiratory secretions
Tracheotomy is essential for relieving respiratory distress due to
upper airway obstruction
Distal forelimb fracture
distal metacarpus
proximal and middle phalanges
sesamoid bones
Distal-mid forelimb fracture
mid to proximal metacarpus and carpus
Mid forelimb fracture
radius and elbow
Proximal forelimb fracture
humerus and scapula
Distal to mid hindlimb fracture
mid to proximal metatarsus
Mid hindlimb fracture
tarsus, tibia, stifle
Proximal hindlimb fracture
femur and pelvis
Emergencies for food animals
-Abomasum or volvulus of the cecum
-Abomasal ulcers
-Rumen tympany (bloat)
-vagal indigestion
-Abdominal surgery
What parasite is described
-Avid blood feeders
-Profound anemia
-Small ruminants more at risk
-Blood transfusion tx
Haemonchus contortus
What tool allows gas to escape used in a rumenostomy
Tracer
Signs of choking
Gagging, retching, excessive drooling
Tx of choking
massage, esophageal tube
What is a transfaunation
transfer of luminal microbes from healthy individual