EQUINE EMERGENCY SERVICES

We provide mobile equine emergency veterinary services. If your horse is having an emergency, please call Dr. Johnson at (208) 310-9332. If your emergency is after normal business hours, please leave a detailed message and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

Horse emergencies may include, but are not limited to the following:

Colic

Colic can range from very mild, to quite severe, depending upon the cause.  If you suspect your horse may beginning to colic, please monitor them closely and reach out to us with any questions or concerns.  Common signs of colic may include:

• Pawing
• Lying down and rolling
• Biting at their belly or side
• Bloating
• Sweating
• Distress or uneasiness
• Loss of interest in food and water
• Peculiar postures (sitting, stretching)

With mild abdominal discomfort, your horse may have less of an appetite or be more lethargic than usual. More specific behaviors may include flank watching, lying down or rolling, and intermittent pawing.  Pain may become more severe, and signs may become more constant and the cause of colic may be more serious. 

Please call us if you have any questions about your horse’s health.  If your horse is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, this could be an emergency. 

Lacerations / Wounds

Lacerations and wound treatment may be critical, notably if it involves a joint, tendon or ligament, or significant structures such as an artery or nerve. Please call with any questions or concerns as the best chance for repair is immediately following injury. Injuries involving joints, tendons/ligaments, nerves/arteries and bone are emergent.

Acute Lameness

There are a variety of reasons for acute lameness to occur. If your horse has any of the following signs, please let us know:

• Non weight bearing/limping
• Significant swelling
• Overt instability in the limb
• Toe touching lameness
• Wound/injury over a joint

Choke

Choke is the term used to describe esophageal obstruction caused by food or foreign matter. If the obstruction is not unblocked, serious secondary conditions can occur such as esophageal perforation or aspiration pneumonia. Signs of choke may include:

• Coughing or gagging noises
• Feed material from the nose
• Distress of uneasiness
• Neck extension
• Please call us immediately if your horse is exhibiting signs of choke.

Foaling

As the foaling date approaches, please keep your mare under close observation, including at night. Please call us immediately if you suspect a problem. There are a number of situations in which immediate veterinary care is required. If any of the following occur, please call immediately:

• Red bag presentation
• Difficult birth or failure to expel the foal
• Retained placenta (not expelled within 3 hours following birth)

If our services are unavailable, please contact Idaho Equine Hospital, (208) 466-4613.