by J.L. Davies

Created on: July 01, 2007   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

SEVEN THINGS TO TELL YOUR VET

Ever look at your horse and think, "something is just not right"? Well you are not alone. Most of the time it turns out to be nothing, or at least nothing we ever figure out. If your vet is like mine, he will appreciate as much information as possible when he has to make the decision whether or not to come out on a ranch call, which is usually quite expensive and typically occurs around 2:00AM or in the middle of someone's little league game.

Here are 7 bits of information that can help, not to mention, it gives us worried owners something to do until the vet arrives. Discuss them with your veterinarian and add any of his favorites to our list:

1. Timing Record the onset of symptoms and the progression as you know it. It is helpful to have a big clock in the barn and some sort of bulletin board. When you notice something odd simply jot it down with the time. You can erase it if nothing develops but it could turn out to be a vital bit of information. i.e."Toby did not finish dinner 10:00PM"

2. Temperature Keep a rectal thermometer with your barn equipment and remember most are calibrated for human use under the tongue. Get one with a ring in the end so you can secure it for use on a cranky patient. Temperature readings can vary depending on activity so be sure you include that information when you call your vet. i.e. "Just returned from 2 hour fast training ride in 80 degree weather Temp 100."

3. Pulse Take a resting pulse. In other words let the horse stand for 10 minutes and then check his pulse. A stethoscope on the left side at the girth area will usually yield the easiest reading. Give your vet a one minute count. If you tell him the pulse is 30, your vet will assume you mean 30 beats per minute. If in doubt, ask the vet to show you at your horse's next check up.

4. Respiration Watch your horse's abdomen move in and out rhythmically. Count the respirations as with the pulse. Again, activity levels and environmental factors matter. If your horse is buddied-up to a pal and the other horse leaves, you are likely to get some elevated numbers in both pulse and respiration.

5. Hydration Check for dehydration by using the "skin tenting" method. Have the horse standing straight and pinch up the skin on the side of your horse's neck (some vets prefer the shoulder). See how long it takes to return to normal. Practice this for a while so you know what to expect as normal. Older horses will show more skin tenting. If the skin does not snap back it can mean the horse is dehydrated.

6. Gums Know what is normal for your horse by giving a look in there once in a while. Check to be sure the color is the horse's usual shade of pink and then press with your thumb and see how long it takes for a "capillary fill." The indentation should show white and then return to normal color quickly. If not, note how many seconds it takes to go back to normal.

7. Gut sounds Use your stethoscope or press your ear to your horse's side and listen for the gurgling and burbling that takes place in a healthy digestion. Have your vet show you his favorite spots and then check this frequently so you will know what is the usual and what is significant to report. "No gut sounds" would be important information for your vet.

The better you know your horse every day, the easier it is to recognize when things begin to go wrong. Finding a problem earlier rather than later can make a big difference.

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