Equine Clinical Procedures and Medication Techniques

Question 1

Where do you inject a microchip in a horse?

Answer 1

Halfway between the withers and the poll

1 1/2” below the breast of the neck

Question 2

Does antibiotic ointment need to be applied to the microchip injection site?

Answer 2

Yes, for several days

Question 3

What horses commonly get lip tattooing?

Answer 3

Thoroughbred racehorses

Question 4

Where is lip tattooing done?

Answer 4

On the mucosal side of the upper lip

Question 5

What do most official tattoos begin with?

Answer 5

A letter that corresponds to the year of birth

Followed by a number sequence that matches the registration number

Question 6

Most medications can be mixed with what to ease administration?

Answer 6

water
Molasses
Applesauce

Question 7

What anatomy allows for easy administration of oral medications?

Answer 7

The interdental space

Question 8

How do you administer oral medications to a horse?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What should you never place a nasogastric tube without?

Answer 9

Lube

Question 10

How should you remove a nasogastric tube?

Answer 10

Keep hands 12 inches from the nostrils and pull out hand over hand to maintain control of the tube

Question 11

What is used to administer large volumes of liquid medications, as a diagnostic tool during colic exams, and occasionally for enteral nutritional support?

Answer 11

Nasogastric intubation

Question 12

Does placing a nasogastric tube require restraint?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

How can you tell a nasogastric tube is in place?

Answer 13

Tube is swallowed
Observe the tube running down the esophagus
Lack of cough
Stomach contents coming up the tube

Question 14

What should you be careful of when placing a nasogastric tube?

Answer 14

Nose bleeds

Question 15

What muscles are ideal for intramuscular injection?

Answer 15

Muscles that allow for easy ventral drainage in case of an abscess are used

Question 16

As a rule, no more than ______ mls should be injected in one area?

Answer 16

15

Question 17

What is the most common type of injection used in horses?

Answer 17

Intramuscular

Question 18

What is the most common muscle used for intramuscular injections?

Answer 18

The neck

Question 19

What happens if you hit the neck muscle too high, too low?

Answer 19

Too high = hit nuchal ligament
Too low = cervical vertebrae
Too far toward = ear ligaments

Question 20

What are other common intramuscular injection sites?

Answer 20

Lateral cervical (farther away from hind feet)

Question 21

What are the landmarks for intramuscular injections in the neck?

Answer 21

Ventral to the crest of the neck
Dorsal to jugular groove
Cranial border of scapula

Question 22

What are the less ideal sites for intramuscular sites?

Answer 22

Gluteal muscles (not good drainage)
Pectoral muscles (can rear up, can be bitten)
Triceps muscles

Question 23

What intramuscular site is preferred for foals?

Answer 23

Buttocks

Question 24

Why are subcutaneous injections not used commonly in horses?

Answer 24

Not a lot of loose skin

Not great for absorption

Question 25

What are subcutaneous injections used for in horses?

Answer 25

Allergy injections

Diagnostic nerve blocks

Question 26

What are intradermal injections used for?

Answer 26

Diagnostic testing for allergens and tuberculosis in cattle

Question 27

What vein is used most often to administer medications and draw blood?

Answer 27

Jugular vein

Question 28

Why should you avoid arterial injections in horses?

Answer 28

Can cause seizures

Question 29

What are the disadvantages of injections via the jugular vein?

Answer 29

Lies close to the carotid artery and the vagosympathetic trunk

Question 30

What are alternate sites for venipuncture or intravenous injections?

Answer 30

Lateral Thoracic vein
Cephalic vein
Saphenous vein
Coccygeal vein
Facial vein

Question 31

Where are intravenous catheters placed?

Answer 31

Jugular vein and the lateral thoracic vein

Question 32

Where is aterial blood collected?

Answer 32

Transverse facial artery
Facial artery
Dorsal metatarsal artery

Question 33

What information does a blood gas analysis give you?

Answer 33

Respiratory disease
Oxygen content
Carbon dioxide content
pH