{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T22:54:23+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-04-28T18:21:54+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:14:39+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Horses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33986"},"slug":"horses","categoryId":33986}],"title":"Knowing When to Call the Vet for Your Horse","strippedTitle":"knowing when to call the vet for your horse","slug":"knowing-when-to-call-the-vet-for-your-horse","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Not every equine ailment requires a frantic phone call to the nearest veterinarian. You can deal with some problems at home, or at least monitor them before mak","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Not every equine ailment requires a frantic phone call to the nearest veterinarian. You can deal with some problems at home, or at least monitor them <i>before</i> making that call. Here are signs to look for when your horse seems under the weather. If your horse has one or more of these symptoms, the condition is an emergency that warrants a call to — and a possible visit from the vet:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Bleeding:</b> If your horse is bleeding heavily from any place on his body, try applying pressure to stop the flow. Even if you can stop the bleeding, call the vet.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Blood in urine:</b> If you see your horse urinating blood, a severe infection or bladder injury is a possibility.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Choking:</b> A horse is choking if he coughs and salivates with his head down while watery food exits his nose and mouth, backs away from his food, acts anxious, and/or swallows repeatedly. A horse chokes when food is trapped in the esophagus. The food doesn't block the airway, so the horse can still breathe, but you still must call the vet right away. The trapped food can cause damage that will result in scarring and subsequent narrowing of the diameter of the esophagus. This narrowing causes the horse to be more prone to choking in the future.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Colic:</b> If your horse is sweating profusely, lying down and getting up, pawing the ground, standing with his legs outstretched, rolling, and/or biting at his abdomen, the animal is suffering from colic. Remove the horse's food and lead the horse around at a walk until the vet arrives.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>Not all colic symptoms are severe. If you see your horse behaving in any way that indicates he may be having even slight stomach pain, you should still call a veterinarian.</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">If you see some signs of colic but aren't sure whether your horse is actually sick, a good way to tell is to offer him a carrot. No healthy horse</ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<i>ever</i>\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">turns down a carrot. If your horse refuses it, he is suffering from abdominal distress or some other health problem and needs to see a vet right away.</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Warning article-ul-indent\">\r\n\t<li><b>Diarrhea:</b> Severe, very liquid, foul-smelling diarrhea can be life threatening.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Fever:</b> A horse's normal body temperature ranges between 99 degrees F (37.7 degrees C) and 101.5 degrees F (38.6 degrees C). If your horse's temperature is significantly above or below the normal range, you have an emergency.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Inability to stand:</b> A horse that will not or cannot stand up is a very sick horse. A horse that staggers or has trouble staying on his feet is also in an emergency situation.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Injury:</b> Wounds that are deep or that expose the bone are emergencies, as are puncture wounds, which can easily become infected. You should also contact your vet if a less serious injury that doesn't require sutures begins to look infected.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Warning article-ul-indent\">\r\n\t<li><b>Labored breathing:</b> Rapid breathing, raspy breath, or heavy coughing can be life threatening for a horse.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Painful eye:</b> Call the vet if one or both of your horse's eyes suddenly becomes teary, the horse holds the lids partially or completely closed, the white part of the eye is red, or the surface of the eye is cloudy.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Refusal to eat:</b> When a horse won't eat, you're often seeing a sign of serious illness or possibly mild colic.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Severe pain:</b> A veterinarian should immediately examine any horse that appears to have severe pain in any part of his body.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Straining:</b> If your horse is straining to defecate or urinate and nothing or very little passes out, an intestinal or urethral blockage is likely.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Swelling:</b> Any part of the body is swollen and hot to the touch.</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"Not every equine ailment requires a frantic phone call to the nearest veterinarian. You can deal with some problems at home, or at least monitor them <i>before</i> making that call. Here are signs to look for when your horse seems under the weather. If your horse has one or more of these symptoms, the condition is an emergency that warrants a call to — and a possible visit from the vet:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Bleeding:</b> If your horse is bleeding heavily from any place on his body, try applying pressure to stop the flow. Even if you can stop the bleeding, call the vet.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Blood in urine:</b> If you see your horse urinating blood, a severe infection or bladder injury is a possibility.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Choking:</b> A horse is choking if he coughs and salivates with his head down while watery food exits his nose and mouth, backs away from his food, acts anxious, and/or swallows repeatedly. A horse chokes when food is trapped in the esophagus. The food doesn't block the airway, so the horse can still breathe, but you still must call the vet right away. The trapped food can cause damage that will result in scarring and subsequent narrowing of the diameter of the esophagus. This narrowing causes the horse to be more prone to choking in the future.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Colic:</b> If your horse is sweating profusely, lying down and getting up, pawing the ground, standing with his legs outstretched, rolling, and/or biting at his abdomen, the animal is suffering from colic. Remove the horse's food and lead the horse around at a walk until the vet arrives.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>Not all colic symptoms are severe. If you see your horse behaving in any way that indicates he may be having even slight stomach pain, you should still call a veterinarian.</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">If you see some signs of colic but aren't sure whether your horse is actually sick, a good way to tell is to offer him a carrot. No healthy horse</ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<i>ever</i>\r\n<ul class=\"Tip article-ul-indent\">turns down a carrot. If your horse refuses it, he is suffering from abdominal distress or some other health problem and needs to see a vet right away.</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Warning article-ul-indent\">\r\n\t<li><b>Diarrhea:</b> Severe, very liquid, foul-smelling diarrhea can be life threatening.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Fever:</b> A horse's normal body temperature ranges between 99 degrees F (37.7 degrees C) and 101.5 degrees F (38.6 degrees C). If your horse's temperature is significantly above or below the normal range, you have an emergency.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Inability to stand:</b> A horse that will not or cannot stand up is a very sick horse. A horse that staggers or has trouble staying on his feet is also in an emergency situation.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Injury:</b> Wounds that are deep or that expose the bone are emergencies, as are puncture wounds, which can easily become infected. You should also contact your vet if a less serious injury that doesn't require sutures begins to look infected.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul class=\"Warning article-ul-indent\">\r\n\t<li><b>Labored breathing:</b> Rapid breathing, raspy breath, or heavy coughing can be life threatening for a horse.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Painful eye:</b> Call the vet if one or both of your horse's eyes suddenly becomes teary, the horse holds the lids partially or completely closed, the white part of the eye is red, or the surface of the eye is cloudy.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Refusal to eat:</b> When a horse won't eat, you're often seeing a sign of serious illness or possibly mild colic.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Severe pain:</b> A veterinarian should immediately examine any horse that appears to have severe pain in any part of his body.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Straining:</b> If your horse is straining to defecate or urinate and nothing or very little passes out, an intestinal or urethral blockage is likely.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Swelling:</b> Any part of the body is swollen and hot to the touch.</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9776,"name":"Audrey Pavia","slug":"audrey-pavia","description":" <p><b>Connie Isbell</b> is a former editor and writer at<i>Audobon</i> magazine, as well as the editor of numerous pet books. <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the author of many books on pets and animals, including the bestselling <i>Horses For Dummies</i> and <i>The Rabbit: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.</i> She has been a frequent contributor to numerous pet publications, editor-in -chief of <i>Horse Illustrated,</i> and senior editor of <i>The AKC Gazette.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9776"}},{"authorId":10499,"name":"Janice Posnikoff","slug":"janice-posnikoff","description":" <p><b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an award-winning writer of numerous articles on equine subjects. The author of seven books about horses, she has also contributed to <i>Thoroughbred Times, Horse & Rider</i>, and many other animal magazines.</p> <p><b>Janice Posnikoff,</b> DVM, is a highly respected equine veterinarian with over 20 years experience. She is a graduate of the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10499"}},{"authorId":10500,"name":"D.V.M.","slug":"d-v-m","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10500"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33986,"title":"Horses","slug":"horses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33986"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":267380,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Rare Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-rare-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267380"}},{"articleId":267375,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Pony Breeds and Warmbloods","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-pony-breeds-and-warmbloods","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267375"}},{"articleId":267369,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Gaited Horses","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-gaited-horses","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267369"}},{"articleId":267363,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Crossbreds and Draft Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-crossbreds-and-draft-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267363"}},{"articleId":267349,"title":"Meet the Top 10 Horse Breeds","slug":"meet-the-top-10-horse-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267349"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":292869,"slug":"horse-health-and-nutrition-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470239520","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470239522/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470239522/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470239522-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470239522/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470239522/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/covers/9780470239520.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Horse Health and Nutrition For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b><b data-author-id=\"9776\">Audrey Pavia</b></b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an awardwinning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She has authored articles on various equine topics in a number of horse publications, including <i>Western Horseman, Horses USA, Thoroughbred Times, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Veterinary Product News,</i> and <i>USDF Connection</i> magazines. She has written five horse books besides <i>Horse Health & Nutrition For Dummies,</i> including <i>Horses For Dummies,</i> 2nd Edition (Wiley), <i>Horseback Riding For Dummies</i> (Wiley), and <i>Trail Riding: A Complete Guide</i> (Howell Book House).<br /> In addition to her experience as an equine writer, she’s also a former Managing Editor of <i>Dog Fancy</i> magazine and a former Senior Editor of the <i>American Kennel Club Gazette.</i> She has authored more than 100 articles on the subject of animals and has written several books on various kinds of pets.<br /> Audrey has been involved with horses since the age of 9. She has owned and cared for horses throughout her life, and has trained in both Western and English disciplines. She currently participates in competitive trail riding. Audrey resides in Norco, California. <p><b>Kate Gentry-Running, DVM, CVA,</b> is a practicing veterinarian with 27 years of experience and an emphasis in equine integrative medicine. She has a particular passion for educating horse owners.<br /> Dr. Running received her veterinary degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2001 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida.<br /> Dr. Running breeds and trains cutting horses at her ranch in Tolar, Texas.</p> <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an awardwinning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She has authored articles on various equine topics in a number of horse publications, including <i>Western Horseman, Horses USA, Thoroughbred Times, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Veterinary Product News,</i> and <i>USDF Connection</i> magazines. She has written five horse books besides <i>Horse Health & Nutrition For Dummies,</i> including <i>Horses For Dummies,</i> 2nd Edition (Wiley), <i>Horseback Riding For Dummies</i> (Wiley), and <i>Trail Riding: A Complete Guide</i> (Howell Book House).<br /> In addition to her experience as an equine writer, she’s also a former Managing Editor of <i>Dog Fancy</i> magazine and a former Senior Editor of the <i>American Kennel Club Gazette.</i> She has authored more than 100 articles on the subject of animals and has written several books on various kinds of pets.<br /> Audrey has been involved with horses since the age of 9. She has owned and cared for horses throughout her life, and has trained in both Western and English disciplines. She currently participates in competitive trail riding. Audrey resides in Norco, California. <p><b><b data-author-id=\"9777\">Kate Gentry-Running</b>, DVM, CVA,</b> is a practicing veterinarian with 27 years of experience and an emphasis in equine integrative medicine. She has a particular passion for educating horse owners.<br /> Dr. Running received her veterinary degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2001 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida.<br /> Dr. Running breeds and trains cutting horses at her ranch in Tolar, Texas.</p></p>","authors":[{"authorId":9776,"name":"Audrey Pavia","slug":"audrey-pavia","description":" <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an awardwinning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She has authored articles on various equine topics in a number of horse publications, including <i>Western Horseman, Horses USA, Thoroughbred Times, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Veterinary Product News,</i> and <i>USDF Connection</i> magazines. She has written five horse books besides <i>Horse Health & Nutrition For Dummies,</i> including <i>Horses For Dummies,</i> 2nd Edition (Wiley), <i>Horseback Riding For Dummies</i> (Wiley), and <i>Trail Riding: A Complete Guide</i> (Howell Book House).<br /> In addition to her experience as an equine writer, she’s also a former Managing Editor of <i>Dog Fancy</i> magazine and a former Senior Editor of the <i>American Kennel Club Gazette.</i> She has authored more than 100 articles on the subject of animals and has written several books on various kinds of pets.<br /> Audrey has been involved with horses since the age of 9. She has owned and cared for horses throughout her life, and has trained in both Western and English disciplines. She currently participates in competitive trail riding. Audrey resides in Norco, California. <p><b>Kate Gentry-Running, DVM, CVA,</b> is a practicing veterinarian with 27 years of experience and an emphasis in equine integrative medicine. She has a particular passion for educating horse owners.<br /> Dr. Running received her veterinary degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2001 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida.<br /> Dr. Running breeds and trains cutting horses at her ranch in Tolar, Texas.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9776"}},{"authorId":9777,"name":"Kate Gentry-Running","slug":"kate-gentry-running","description":" <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an awardwinning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She has authored articles on various equine topics in a number of horse publications, including <i>Western Horseman, Horses USA, Thoroughbred Times, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Veterinary Product News,</i> and <i>USDF Connection</i> magazines. She has written five horse books besides <i>Horse Health & Nutrition For Dummies,</i> including <i>Horses For Dummies,</i> 2nd Edition (Wiley), <i>Horseback Riding For Dummies</i> (Wiley), and <i>Trail Riding: A Complete Guide</i> (Howell Book House).<br /> In addition to her experience as an equine writer, she’s also a former Managing Editor of <i>Dog Fancy</i> magazine and a former Senior Editor of the <i>American Kennel Club Gazette.</i> She has authored more than 100 articles on the subject of animals and has written several books on various kinds of pets.<br /> Audrey has been involved with horses since the age of 9. She has owned and cared for horses throughout her life, and has trained in both Western and English disciplines. She currently participates in competitive trail riding. Audrey resides in Norco, California. <p><b>Kate Gentry-Running, DVM, CVA,</b> is a practicing veterinarian with 27 years of experience and an emphasis in equine integrative medicine. She has a particular passion for educating horse owners.<br /> Dr. Running received her veterinary degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2001 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida.<br /> Dr. Running breeds and trains cutting horses at her ranch in Tolar, Texas.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9777"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/292869"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a0f2e658\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" 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Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/horses/knowing-when-to-call-the-vet-for-your-horse-201084/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"home-auto-hobbies","category2":"pets","category3":"horses","article":"knowing-when-to-call-the-vet-for-your-horse-201084"},"fullPath":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/horses/knowing-when-to-call-the-vet-for-your-horse-201084/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}Knowing When to Call the Vet for Your Horse
Not every equine ailment requires a frantic phone call to the nearest veterinarian. You can deal with some problems at home, or at least monitor them before making that call. Here are signs to look for when your horse seems under the weather. If your horse has one or more of these symptoms, the condition is an emergency that warrants a call to — and a possible visit from the vet:
- Bleeding: If your horse is bleeding heavily from any place on his body, try applying pressure to stop the flow. Even if you can stop the bleeding, call the vet.
- Blood in urine: If you see your horse urinating blood, a severe infection or bladder injury is a possibility.
- Choking: A horse is choking if he coughs and salivates with his head down while watery food exits his nose and mouth, backs away from his food, acts anxious, and/or swallows repeatedly. A horse chokes when food is trapped in the esophagus. The food doesn't block the airway, so the horse can still breathe, but you still must call the vet right away. The trapped food can cause damage that will result in scarring and subsequent narrowing of the diameter of the esophagus. This narrowing causes the horse to be more prone to choking in the future.
- Colic: If your horse is sweating profusely, lying down and getting up, pawing the ground, standing with his legs outstretched, rolling, and/or biting at his abdomen, the animal is suffering from colic. Remove the horse's food and lead the horse around at a walk until the vet arrives.
Not all colic symptoms are severe. If you see your horse behaving in any way that indicates he may be having even slight stomach pain, you should still call a veterinarian.
If you see some signs of colic but aren't sure whether your horse is actually sick, a good way to tell is to offer him a carrot. No healthy horse
ever
turns down a carrot. If your horse refuses it, he is suffering from abdominal distress or some other health problem and needs to see a vet right away.
- Diarrhea: Severe, very liquid, foul-smelling diarrhea can be life threatening.
- Fever: A horse's normal body temperature ranges between 99 degrees F (37.7 degrees C) and 101.5 degrees F (38.6 degrees C). If your horse's temperature is significantly above or below the normal range, you have an emergency.
- Inability to stand: A horse that will not or cannot stand up is a very sick horse. A horse that staggers or has trouble staying on his feet is also in an emergency situation.
- Injury: Wounds that are deep or that expose the bone are emergencies, as are puncture wounds, which can easily become infected. You should also contact your vet if a less serious injury that doesn't require sutures begins to look infected.
- Labored breathing: Rapid breathing, raspy breath, or heavy coughing can be life threatening for a horse.
- Painful eye: Call the vet if one or both of your horse's eyes suddenly becomes teary, the horse holds the lids partially or completely closed, the white part of the eye is red, or the surface of the eye is cloudy.
- Refusal to eat: When a horse won't eat, you're often seeing a sign of serious illness or possibly mild colic.
- Severe pain: A veterinarian should immediately examine any horse that appears to have severe pain in any part of his body.
- Straining: If your horse is straining to defecate or urinate and nothing or very little passes out, an intestinal or urethral blockage is likely.
- Swelling: Any part of the body is swollen and hot to the touch.
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