"Your vet is on the way. What do you do now?" Part 1

1. EQUINE EMERGENCIES
“Your vet is on the way, what do you do now?”
KENA & KHC Meeting
Dr. Ernie Martinez II
@emartinezdvm

2. ERNIE MARTINEZ II, DVM
• 1999- Penn State BS Animal Science
• 2003- Oklahoma State DVM
• 2003-2004- Field Intern at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
• 2004- now- Field Associate at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

3. A DAY IN THE LIFE...
• Herd Health
• Mare & Stallion Repro
• Neonates
• Sales
• Dentistry
• Emergencies
• Industry

4. YOU
MAP
ARE
HERE
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling

5. YOU
MAP
ARE
HERE
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling
READY!!!

6. BE PREPARED
• Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship
• Horse Health Care Team
• Clinic Location
• Veterinarians
• Emergency Supplies
• Emergency Planning

7. SUPPLIES
• First Aid Kit
• General
• Medications
• Lead Shank & Halter

8. EQUINE FIRST AID KIT
• Gauze • Thermometer
• Roll Cotton • Hoof Pick
• Brown Gauze • Surgical Soap
• Vet Wrap • Saline Eye Wash
• Cotton Wraps • Antiseptic Solution
• Sterile Bandages • Latex Gloves
• Scissors
• Flashlight
• White Tape
• Needles
• Duct Tape
• Syringes
• Stethoscope

9. MEDICATIONS
• TQs
• Acepromazine
• Xylazine or Detomidine
• Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS)
• Banamine
• Phenylbutazone (Bute)
• Eye Medications
• Neo-Poly-Bac (NOT DEX!!)
• Eye Lubrication

10. PHONE NUMBERS
• Clinic (Hagyards -859-255-8741)
• Vet Cell Phone
• Vet 2 Cell Phone
• Transportation
• Neighbors

11. KNOW NORMAL
• Must be able to know NORMAL so you can recognize ABNORMAL.
• Recognize distress and be able to relay information to your vet.
• Know your horses habits and routines

12. NORMAL ADULT HORSE
PHYSICAL EXAM
• Temperature- 99.5-101.5 F
• Heart Rate- 28-44 bpm
• Respiratory Rate- 12-16 bpm
• Mucous Membranes- Pink, moist
• Capillary Refill time- <2 secs
• Gut Sounds - All quadrants

13. PRACTICE NORMAL
• Physical Exam
• Medication Admin
• Emergency Van Run
• Oxygen Setup and Admin
• Financial Considerations
• Surgery an option?
• Long hospital stay an option?

14. EMERGENCY!!!!
WHAT DO I DO??
• Stay Calm, Evaluate Situation
• Safety - Horses & Humans
• Secure horse - Halter, Stall, Pen
• Assess animal - PE if possible
• CALL VET-- Relay situation (Colic, dystocia, wound, eye, foal, etc)
• Hx, PE, severity of situation, #s involved, duration

15. MAP YOU
ARE
HERE
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling
READY!!!

16. THE NORMAL - EQUINE EYE
Upper Eyelid
Lower Eyelid

17. THE NORMAL - EQUINE EYE
Upper Eyelid
Lower Eyelid

18. THE NORMAL - EQUINE EYE
Upper Eyelid
Lower Eyelid

19. EYE EMERGENCIES
★“Long-term prognosis for
• Blunt head trauma
vision and maintaining the
• Orbital inflammation globe may depend on quick
diagnosis and treatment”
• Eyelid Lacerations
• Corneal Ulcers
• Acute Blindness
• Traumatic Injury

20. SWOLLEN SHUT & GOOPY EYE
• “I’ve called the vet. Now What?”
• Banamine
• Clean mucus with warm cloth
• Cold compress
• Gentle lavage with Saline/Eye Wash
• +/- Artificial Tears, Neopolybac
• Fly Mask

21. EYELID LACERATIONS
• “My horse cut its eye doc!?
• Cleangently, saline/eyewash,
fly mask
• EMERGENCY
• DO NOT CUT/PULL TISSUE
• No substitute for eyelid
margin

22. EYELID LACERATIONS
• “My horse cut its eye doc!?
• Cleangently, saline/eyewash,
fly mask
• EMERGENCY
• DO NOT CUT/PULL TISSUE
• No substitute for eyelid
margin