Equine Hospitalization

Question 1

Artificial markings for patient identification (4)

Answer 1

1. Lip tattoos
2. Microchips (SQ in neck area)
3. Freeze branding:
   - Destroys hair pigment found usually under the mane.
4. Hot branding:
   - Kills the hair follicles producing a hairless scar.

Question 2

Name the different types of leg markings

Answer 2

Question 3

Answer 3

Question 4

What is a “whorl”?
How is it marked on an ID sheet?

Answer 4

1. “Spinning” pattern in the horse’s fur
2. Marked as an “X” for ID purposes

Question 5

Two methods of stall cleaning & why

Answer 5

1. Picking
   - Only remove soiled areas, sparing as much bedding as possible.
   - Neat Pt who only use particular areas.
2. Stripping
   - Remove all bedding, soiled or not.
   - Messy Pt who soil all areas &/or Pt with diarrhea.

Question 6

T/F: Some form of ID should be placed directly on the patient

Answer 6

True.
Plastic ID, bands, branding, etc

Question 7

Stall flooring (3)

Answer 7

1. Cement
   - Easiest to disinfect & steam clean
   - $$ cost to install
   - Decreased Pt comfort
   - Compromised drainage
2. Dirt
   - Hard to disinfect: Isolated for days/weeks post contagious Pt
3. Wood
   - Mainly in older barns

Question 8

Beddings (6)
Pros & Cons

Answer 8

1. Shavings
   - Pro: Absorbent, less dust, well tolerated, & good cushion.
   - Cons: More abrasive than straw, under bandages & casts, harbor more bacteria, concern w/foals.
2. Peat Moss
   - Pros: Absorbent, not eaten, unlikely harbor fungi, & cushion.
3. Sawdust
   - Cons: Dusty, particles inhaled, & scratch corneas.
4. Oat (straw)
   - Cons: Dusty, poor for resp & GI cases, if eaten possible digestive issues.
5. Shredded Paper
   - Pros: Absorbent, little dust, good for resp cases.
   - Cons: Leave stains on Pt
6. Black Walnut
   - NO, NEVER!
   - Laminitis !!

Question 9

Daily patient care (2)

Answer 9

1. Pt records must include:
   - Food, water, defecation, & urination.
2. Record for diet:
   - Types, amount, supplements, what they don’t eat, & feeding schedule.
   - Radical changes in type & vol of food can cause GI issues.

Question 10

Horses shouldn’t eat from the ___ in a hospital due to contamination.
Hay racks & nets should be higher than ___ level to prevent leg entanglement.
Horses should have access to supplemental ___ &/or trace ___.
Manual watering in buckets should be checked ___ daily & filled as needed. Automatic waterers are convenient but may ___ horses. They are difficult to ___ and hard to ___ intake.
Buckets placed above ___ level to avoid leg activity.

Answer 10

1. Floor, Ground
2. Shoulder
3. Salt
4. Trace minerals
5. > 1
6. Startle
7. Disinfect
8. Record, Measure
9. Shoulder

Question 11

Ventilation must be adequate in barn ___ & ___. Open doors will help, but ___ may be needed for stalls.
Dust levels kept to a minimum & ___ prevented.
___ vapor created by urine is a respiratory irritant.

Answer 11

1. Aisles & Stalls
2. Fans
3. Drafts
4. Ammonia

Question 12

Why do we groom horses? (2)
How? (2)

Answer 12

1. Why:
   - Cleanliness & well being
   - Opportunity to find swellings, lacerations, discharges, skin infections, & changes in Pt attitude.
2. How:
   - Curry comb: Only on fleshy parts (no face or lower legs).
   - Circular motion: Firmly, bring loose dirt to surface & brush off.

Question 13

How to brush a horse: (4)

Answer 13

1. Stiff bristles only for fleshy parts.
2. Soft bristles used anywhere w/care to the face.
3. Short strokes, flicking (dirt off) brush up & away from coat at end of stroke.
4. Always brush in the direction of the hair!