Compliments of:
Golden Animal Hospital, Inc.
17575 South Golden Road
Golden, CO 80401
ILLNESS
Evaluation:
1. Attitude
2. Appetite
3. Feces – character and quantity. Dehydration produces dry, mucus-covered feces. Some diarrheal diseases have characteristic odors.
4. Rectal temperature. Temperature varies somewhat with environmental temperature. Normal adult temperature ranges from 99.0 to 100.5F.
Normal foal temperature ranges from 101.0 to 101.5 F
Use of Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are only effective for susceptible microorganism-induced disease, not effective against viral disease.
Penicillin is commonly effective against equine pathogens.
Dose: 10,000-50,000 IU/lb
Procaine Penicillin-G is to be given by intramuscular injection only.
Possibility of procaine reaction or anaphylactic reaction.
Use of NSAID's (Phenylbutazone, Banamine, Aspirin) This class of drug will artificially reduce fever.
HEAT STRESS / EXHAUSTION
These problems are typically associated with athletic use in high environmental temperatures, resulting in dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
1. Sweat loss of water, sodium, chloride and potassium.
2. May progress to malignant hyperthermia. Temperature over 108.0 F is dangerous
Treatment
Provide access to water and feed, +/ - electrolytes.
Horses that won't eat or drink require intravenous fluids.
Cool patient with water or alcohol over large vessels, not over large muscle masses.
Prevention
Electrolyte supplement formula:
1 pound regular salt (NaCl)Directions: feed 1 tablespoon daily
1 pound Lite salt (KC1+NaC1)
1 box Baking Soda (Bicarbonate)
NOTES ON MEDICATION
Medications may have undesirable side effects. Their use should follow directions.
Drugs are commonly sensitive to extremes in environmental temperature, and some are sensitive to sunlight.
Drugs must be handled in an aseptic manner, as they may be subject to contamination.
Many commonly used drugs (Rompun, Acepromazine, Procaine Penicillin, et al) are "prohibited substances" as defined by ASHA, AQHA and others. Once administered, they may be detected in the urine for 7 days or longer.
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