Horse Vetinary: IS IT AN EMERGENCY?!?

Question

We found our horse lying down in the arena. When I went in, she wouldn't get up without us putting a halter on her. She was breathing pretty hard; and it's hot out here. She also pooped while lying down which seemed weird. When she stood, we found she was extremely sweaty under her forelegs and between her back ones. None of our other three horses, also in said arena, are sweaty at all or showing signs of problems. We looked it up in the book and it said the sweat could be signs of some kind of insecticide poisoning. It also mentioned the name of a worming paste we recently gave her called Pyrantel Pamoate. We want to call the vet, but he's only available if it's an emergency. So do you think it is??? Should we call????????????

PS. She has pooped twice more and she is swatting her tail back and forth almost constantly. I don't think it's colllic though...

Answer 1

sounds like she may have been in shock. Is it possible that she had some sort of head injury? Electric shock? I would be monitoring all of her vitals right now- pulse, temp., gut sounds, etc - if any of them is abnormal, call the vet!

Answer 2

I might give her an hour or so and see what happens.

Could be the heat, heat exhaustion or stroke.  Take her temperature - over 102F it's a problem.   Cool her down.  Cold hosing, shade, fresh air.  If she feels better, don't call, but keep a very, very close eye on her.

Could still be colic.  Check her gums - if they're whitish or bluish call the vet immediately.  Listen for gut sounds.  If it's real quiet, call the vet.  If there's a LOT of loud noise, could be gas colic, call the vet.  Check her breath rate.  More than 20ish per minute could indicate pain.

If the worming paste was intended for horses, it's unlikely to be the problem.  HOWEVER, if she had a heavy parasite load, the wormer could have done it's job and killed a LOT of parasites.  This can cause colic and other gastric irritations, including damage to the colon.  Sometimes they just need time to pass the buggers (you probably can't see them), but sometimes they need help.  

Horses with non-impaction colics can p**p freely.  Swishing the tail like that is an indication of discomfort.

If in doubt, call.  You can explain the situation to the vet, and he may be able to talk you through a cursory exam to know if it's an emergency or not.

I think it is.

Answer 3

call the vet, bettr safe than sorry

Answer 4

I hope youhave taken everyones advise..although you did say you were going to call.

A favor though....and I'm sure others may feel the way I do...really care and take an interest in these questions and I'm sure would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to tell us what the outcome was.  We all can learn something from this situation...so please give us some closure and let us know what happened.

Thanks!!

****EDIT***

Thanks for the update...glad to hear she has improved and feeling better.  And you are too!!  I'm sure you will keep on checking her.

Answer 5

I totally agree with the other two answers above me so far. Definitely call the vet and ask his opinion about what you should do.

Answer 6

If any horse is breathing hard and laying down, pooping..

It's a HUGE emergency!

what's her temp?  Did you check it?  That will tell you if you are dealing with possible heat stroke.

If her temp is over 103 start hosing her down with cold water while you wait for the vet

So..go call!

***edit***

Thank goodness!  Pooping laying down is not good..but he pooped!  I'm so happy for you!  

My girlfriend called me to let me know her boy was down.  Not rolling, breathing fast and hard.  What's up?  Temp normal but he just doesn't want to get up..and he's sweaty.  Minor colic.  Why?  He was witnessed cribbing all the day,  nonstop while watching them bring some freshly cut hay.  He was over excited  (he has a bad grazing area so was just beside himself it seems when he seen the hay)

Answer 7

did you just work her? i think you should call because that definetly isnt normal for a horse. i would ask the vets opinion before you ask him to come though

Answer 8

How old is your horse?  Is the arena ground flat?  Is it possible that she just laid down and needed help getting up?  If not, then I would consider at least calling the vet.  To me it would be too much of a risk not to.  It sounds like a pretty abnormal situation.

Answer 9

Yep call your vet definetly, it seems as though it an severe allegry, or colic.

Has anyone been with her the morning that could have put her into shock or something? Check her signs like pulse, temperature ect.

Answer 10

those are signs of collic but if shes pooping then i would say its probaly some reaction to the wormer. I woukd call the vet. (better safe than sorry)

Answer 11

poisoning is a good assumption.  Any type of lying down though is suspicion for colic.  The sweatiness though is a concern.  You NEED to call the vet immediately.  horses are hunted animals and will rarely show signs of stress, injusry, or illness because of fear of predators, so when they go down, THAT MEANS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.  As long as there is not painful rolling or thrashing and since she's passing manuer, colic is not to serious of a worry but don't rule it out.  Check her capillary refill: press one finger into her gums and count the amount of seconds it takes for the pink color to return.  If the white stays present for a more than 3 seconds, she's dehydrated and the heat is most likely not helping.  Get her cooled down, use cold water and keep her walking.  Don't let her lie.  Also if you have a stethascope available listen for gut sounds.  And heart rate should be between 38- 40 bpm.  You already said breathing was elevated so watch her closely.  Temp should be 99- 100 F.  Im guessing its mostlikely elevated especially with her breathing.  Elevated temp also means that she is in pain so record the temp and let the vet know (if you have a thermometer available).  Keep her away from all food because if it is anything having to do with digestion there is no sense putting more cars in front of an accident if you know hat i mean.  Water is always okay though.  Also let your vet know if she has urinated lately he/she would like to know this in case the situation is dehydration and/or poisoning.  Plus there is one other case you need to check out.  Now that it is summer, we have flies and bugs of all sorts.  The wormer could be the problem or bugs known as blister beetles are severely dangerous and need to be watched for.  The can get into supplement feed and especially hay.  Look throught the hay and make sure you dont see any bugs.  Blister beetles produce a toxin very poisonous to horses when ingested.  Look around you and just take in the whole situation: The surroundings she was in, the last time and what she ate, exercise or lack there of leading up to the incident, and of course her passings of manure and urine.  Just try to get enough information for the vet as possible that's alwasys helpful when people are prepared and give the information straight to you.

I wish you all the luck in the world

Answer 12

Well, she certainly sounds VERY uncomfortable.  You're right- it doesn't sound like colic.  In this case, I would call a vet.  I could be any number of things.  

What are her eyes like?  Rolling?  Pupils dilated?

My guess is either rabies or another disease inflicted by an animals bite, poisoning, or possibly even a heat-related illness.

Call a vet.