Posted: 24th September 2018 | Back to news feed
All horses are seen by the vet at some point, be it an emergency situation or annually for a check-up and a booster vaccination.
Being prepared for the vet’s arrival will make the experience a lot easier for everyone involved, including your horse. The vet’s time is valuable but this is also your opportunity to address any minor niggles, particularly if it is an annual routine visit.
Non-Emergency
A routine visit from the vet should be relaxed and stress-free but try to ensure you are ready well in advance of the time you are expecting your vet to call.
- Bring your horse into the stable - Spending five minutes trying to catch your horse will not be appreciated and will mean both you and your horse meet the vet feeling flustered.
- Provide a clean, dry stable – Ensure you muck out your stable prior to the vet’s arrival.
- Groom your horse – Give your horse a quick flick over with a brush, removing mud from the coat, particularly if the vet is there to administer a vaccination.
- Have your passport to hand – It is essential that your vet completes the relevant section in your horses’ passport every time they are vaccinated.
Emergency
In an emergency situation, keeping calm and being able to provide your vet with information can save valuable time.
- Know your vital signs – Knowing what is normal for your horse can help you identify when something is wrong and enable you to relay this information to your vet even before he arrives at the yard. When a horse is in pain, his pulse rate will increase significantly.
- When was your horse last wormed? - Keep an up-to-date record of worming, including the type of wormer used. This could be important in a suspected case of colic.
- Droppings – Nobody likes to discuss poo but the time that has lapsed since your horse last passed a dropping is vital information. The same goes for when they were last fed and if they are drinking.
- Provide sufficient light – Horses are not always ill at the most convenient time, so make sure that if your vet has to visit during the night, you have sufficient light for your vet to be able to assess and treat your horse.
As we head into winter the offer of a hot drink will always go down well, after all - a happy vet equals a happy owner and hopefully a happy horse!
Robinson Animal Healthcare has a wide range of products for all your first aid requirements including the market leading Animalintex®, which is the only VMD licensed multi-layered absorbent poultice available in the UK and the legendary Veterinary Gamgee®.
For more information contact Robinson Animal Healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com
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