FAQs

"Frequently Asked Questions"

What are the normal vital signs of the adult horse?

What is strangles and how is it contracted?

What vaccines does my horse need?

What should I have at home as an owner to treat my horse in case of an emergency?

"Frequently Asked Questions"

1.	What are the normal vital signs of the adult horse?	Top
	Temperature =100.5ºF (99º – 101.5ºF) Pulse = 32-48 beats per minute Respiration = 12-16 breaths per minute Capillary Refill Time = less than 2 seconds Mucous Membranes = pale pink / moist We recommend that the horse owner become familiar with the normal parameters of their horse and learn how to properly check vital signs. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiration, and check capillary refill time and mucous membranes. In the event of an illness or emergency, this information will enable you to give your veterinarian a more complete medical history and profile. After learning the protocol, practice taking your horse's vitals regularly so that you will be fully prepared and comfortable doing so in an emergency situation.

2.	What is strangles and how is it contracted?	Top
	It is a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus equi. This infection is highly contagious and strangles suspect horses need to be quarantined. Horses contract the disease by coming into contact with the bacteria in shared water troughs, buckets, blankets, bits, etc. Horses can also contract the disease by touching noses through bars in stalls or through the air when an infected horse coughs or sneezes. Please see our client education page for more about this disease.

3.	What vaccines does my horse need?	Top
	Talk to your veterinarian about which vaccines your horse should have based on their exposure to other horses and past history. Rabies - annual VEWT/Flu/Rhino ("Fluvac 6") - annual ~Venezuelan Encephalitis ~Eastern Encephalitis ~Western Encephalitis ~Tetanus ~Influenza ~Rhinopneumonitis West Nile ("Prevenile") - annual Strep. equi (Strangles) - annual EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) - annual Inluenza booster ("Recombitek") - six months aflter annual Rhinopneumonitis booster ("Prodigy") - six months after annual

4.	What should I have at home as an owner to treat my horse in case of an emergency?	Top
	Equine First Aid Kit In the event of illness, injury, or emergency, the horse owner should be prepared to care for their horse until the veterinarian arrives. We suggest every horse owner have at least one Equine First Aid Kit. For owners who frequently compete or trailer away from home with their horse, we suggest keeping two kits on hand, one in your tack room and one in your trailer so that you will have one available wherever you are with your horse. Your veterinarian can assist you in assembling your equine first aid kit and advise you on how to customize the kit to your horse's needs. Equine Veterinary Associates suggests the following items for your Equine First Aid Kit: Thermometer Stethoscope Banamine paste (1 tube) Bute paste (1 tube) Triple antibiotic wound ointment Towel Vet Wrap Elastikon Brown Gauze Magna Paste Sheet Cotton (minimum of 2 rolls) Sterile 4X4s (1 package) Nolvalsan Electrolytes (2 packages) Dose syringe Veterinarian’s phone number