Equine Clinical Procedures and Medication Techniques Flashcards
Where do you inject a microchip in a horse?
Halfway between the withers and the poll
1 1/2” below the breast of the neck
Does antibiotic ointment need to be applied to the microchip injection site?
Yes, for several days
What horses commonly get lip tattooing?
Thoroughbred racehorses
Where is lip tattooing done?
On the mucosal side of the upper lip
What do most official tattoos begin with?
A letter that corresponds to the year of birth
Followed by a number sequence that matches the registration number
Most medications can be mixed with what to ease administration?
water
Molasses
Applesauce
What anatomy allows for easy administration of oral medications?
The interdental space
How do you administer oral medications to a horse?
Insert a finger into the interdental space, slightly opening the lips
Follow the finger with a prepared syringe and administer medication
Elevate the horse’s head and observe swallow
What should you never place a nasogastric tube without?
Lube
How should you remove a nasogastric tube?
Keep hands 12 inches from the nostrils and pull out hand over hand to maintain control of the tube
What is used to administer large volumes of liquid medications, as a diagnostic tool during colic exams, and occasionally for enteral nutritional support?
Nasogastric intubation
Does placing a nasogastric tube require restraint?
Yes
How can you tell a nasogastric tube is in place?
Tube is swallowed
Observe the tube running down the esophagus
Lack of cough
Stomach contents coming up the tube
What should you be careful of when placing a nasogastric tube?
Nose bleeds
What muscles are ideal for intramuscular injection?
Muscles that allow for easy ventral drainage in case of an abscess are used
As a rule, no more than ______ mls should be injected in one area?
15
What is the most common type of injection used in horses?
Intramuscular
What is the most common muscle used for intramuscular injections?
The neck
What happens if you hit the neck muscle too high, too low?
Too high = hit nuchal ligament
Too low = cervical vertebrae
Too far toward = ear ligaments
What are other common intramuscular injection sites?
Lateral cervical (farther away from hind feet)
What are the landmarks for intramuscular injections in the neck?
Ventral to the crest of the neck
Dorsal to jugular groove
Cranial border of scapula
What are the less ideal sites for intramuscular sites?
Gluteal muscles (not good drainage) Pectoral muscles (can rear up, can be bitten) Triceps muscles
What intramuscular site is preferred for foals?
Buttocks
Why are subcutaneous injections not used commonly in horses?
Not a lot of loose skin
Not great for absorption
What are subcutaneous injections used for in horses?
Allergy injections
Diagnostic nerve blocks
What are intradermal injections used for?
Diagnostic testing for allergens and tuberculosis in cattle
What vein is used most often to administer medications and draw blood?
Jugular vein
Why should you avoid arterial injections in horses?
Can cause seizures
What are the disadvantages of injections via the jugular vein?
Lies close to the carotid artery and the vagosympathetic trunk
What are alternate sites for venipuncture or intravenous injections?
Lateral Thoracic vein Cephalic vein Saphenous vein Coccygeal vein Facial vein
Where are intravenous catheters placed?
Jugular vein and the lateral thoracic vein
Where is aterial blood collected?
Transverse facial artery
Facial artery
Dorsal metatarsal artery
What information does a blood gas analysis give you?
Respiratory disease
Oxygen content
Carbon dioxide content
pH
