Equine nursing Flashcards
how do happy and relaxed horses look?
stood square resting hindlimb head up pricked ears relaxed lips
what are signs of nervous horse?
tight face lines
tense neck
leaning back
what are signs of angry horse?
flared nostrils
ears back
bite or kick if not left alone
how is demeanour in horses assessed?
compared to others and normal self
bright or quiet
alert or subdued or dull
responsive or unresponsive or hyperaesthetic
what are signs of healthy horse?
bright alert responsive interest in environment normal behaviour
what is normal defecation for horses?
4-13 piles a day
individual nuggets that can have moisture squeezed out
normal colour
no parasites
describe normal urination for horses
several times daily
hindlimbs wide and caudal
how much do normal horses drink?
50ml/kg/day
more with dry food
what is the normal amount of food horses should eat daily?
1.5-2.5% BW in dry matter
18 hours grazing
state normal horse RR
12-20 brpm
what should be observed in clinical exam of respiration of horses?
RR and effort
shouldnt see nasal flare, abdominal effort, coughing or heave line
moist nares
state normal HR in horses
30-40bpm
where are pulse rates taken in horses?
transverse facial artery- line between caudal end of facial crest and mandibular condyle
facial artery- ventral border of mandible
digital artery- medial and lateral aspects of fetlock
where do you do cardiac auscultation on horses?
left lateral thorax under point of elbow at 6th intercostal space
what are normal MM colours in horses?
oral- pink
nasal- red
vulva- yellow
describe normal lymph nodes in horses
symmetrical
no reaction when palpated
what are signs of abnormal lymph nodes in horses?
enlarged
asymmetric
painful
where can horses lymph nodes be found?
either side of ventral mandible between where facial arteries cross under jaw
how do you auscultate lungs in horses?
divide into 9 fields
cranial edge from shoulder to elbows, dorsal at tuber coxae, caudal at 16th rib
where can you auscultate the trachea in horses?
ventral neck at thoracic inlet
mid neck
larynx
what sounds can you expect to hear in normal horse abdomen?
gut sounds in all quadrants
caecal emptying in right dorsal quadrant
where do you measure temperature in horses?
rectal
state normal horse temperature
37.3-38.2
what are signs of pain in horses?
pain face
horse grimace scale
changed body language and behaviour
state signs of colic in horses
rolling looking at flanks grinding teeth recumbency pawing anorexia reduced faecal output
what are signs of equine respiratory disease?
exercise intolerance extended head and neck increased abdominal effort heave line coughing nasal discharge epistaxis
list signs of liver disease in horses
dull or hyperaesthetic inappetant weight loss jaundice head pressing compulsive circling light sensitivity diarrhoea
what are signs of dental disease in horses?
dropping food
weight loss
slow eating
halitosis
list signs of lameness in horses
recumbency resting limb abnormal movement poor performance inappetence sweating
what are routine core equine vaccines?
influenza
tetanus
what vaccines are also given to horses in stud?
herpes
rotavirus
equine viral arteritis
equine infectious anaemia
when are vaccines given for equine influenza?
day 0
3 weeks-3 months
5-7 months
6 monthly if competing otherwise yearly
what is equine influenza?
highly contagious viral infection causing respiratory disease
what are signs of equine influenza?
pyrexia
nasal discharge
coughing
when are tetanus vaccines given to horses?
2 doses 4-6 weeks apart
1 year
3 yearly
how is tetanus spread?
non contagious
enters wounds and absorbed into circulation
what is the signs of tetanus?
spastic paralysis muscular contraction extended head neck and tail wide eyes and nostril death
how often should horses have routine dental exams?
6-12 months
how are worms managed in horses?
poo pick paddocks
rotate pastures
test all horses with FWEC 3 times between march and september
test for tapeworm with ELISA at least yearly
worm according to individual egg count
list general grooming requirements for horses
remove dried mud body brush all over pick feet daily face sponge for eyes and muzzle if riding clean where tack touches at least
what is the benefit of shoeing horses?
protection from excess wear
support heal
give traction
how often are horses shoed?
4-8 weeks
how can flies around horses be managed?
repellent sprays
rugs
face mask
fly fringe
why are horses stabled?
protect from elements, others, theft, straying
keep clean and dry
control diet
manage exercise
describe loosebox stables
all access directly to outside
rows or yards
individual stables
may share airspaces
describe barns stables
access within building
large area for horse to move freely
need good ventilation
describe american barn stables
individual spaces in large barn
wide central passage
shared air space or overhead storage
what are stalls?
holding areas in riding schools
rows of horses ties up with barriers between
state minimum stable size for large horses
12x14ft
state minimum stable size for horses and mules
12x12ft
state minimum stable size for large ponies and large donkeys
10x12ft
state minimum stable size for ponies and donkeys
10x10ft
state minimum stable size for foaling box
14x14ft
where should stable blocks be located?
not upwind of dust sources not under trees as can block drains south facing for sun and warmth shelter from wind no steep slopes near
what are ideal features of stable doors?
wide and high to reduce trauma risk- 1.2x2.4m
sliding if space limited
half hinged for ventilation and confinement
safety catches and kick bolts
how can you ensure good drainage in stables?
slightly sloped floor
drainage grooves
keep drains clear
where should feeders be placed?
haynets- air outflow
feeders- on floor for drainage and to leave dust at floor when chewing
what is the benefit of natural and artificial lighting in stables?
natural- UV kills MOs
artificial- use at night, manipulate oestrus
how is ventilation achieved in stables?
air inlets and outlets
what horses is hypothermia only really seen in?
neonates
geriatric
sick
malnourished
why are most horses not susceptible to hypothermia?
well fed- most heat from LI fermentation
rugged
movement
what is the purpose of horses bedding?
insulation
comfort
absorbance
list types of horses bedding
straw shavings wood pellets paper hemp rubber mats
what are pollutants that can be in stables?
dust
ammonia
what it the issue with dust in stables and how can it be reduced?
irritant or allergen
good quality bedding, soaking forage, mucking out when stable empty
what is the cause and issue of ammonia in stables and how is it reduced?
bacterial breakdown of excretions
local irritant
absorbent bedding and increased frequency of mucking out
describe the process of mucking out stables
daily full clean remove all faeces and wet bedding move all bedding to clean area sweep and allow floor to dry replace bedding and add fresh bedding to banks as needed
why should you let floor dry before replacing bedding in stables?
reduce mould and ammonia
how are deep litter bedding in stables typically mucked out and what is the negatives?
remove droppings daily and add new bedding on top
ammonia builds up, hooves on damp bedding can cause thrush
how can respiratory system be helped by arrangement in stable?
feed from floor hang hay in air outlet good bedding and mucking out good ventilation turn out as much as possible
how should horses feeding be managed in stables?
always provide freshwater forage is most of diet fed little and often keep routine same and avoid sudden change supplement with concentrates
list examples of horses daily exercise
ridden
lunged
horse walker
turned out
describe hospital stable conditions
deep beds or rubber mats depending on condition
daily muck out and 2x daily skip out
complete disinfect between patients
muck heap away from stables
how should isolation stables be managed in hospitals?
distant down wind of others separate equipment and food PPE dirty bedding is clinical waste complete disinfect and test between patients
how are horses fed in hospital?
starve 2 hours pre op
wet meals post op
cross tie head high and give meals from floor for drainage and ventilation
account for increased energy demand from healing
list some equine urinary tract disorders
PUPD pigmenturia renal disease neoplasia urolithiasis UTI
how are equine urinary tract disorders diagnosed?
history
water intake over last 24 hours
abnormal urination
other issues
how is a clinical exam for equine urinary disorders done?
standard exam
rectal to feel bladder and left kidneys caudal pole
if urinary obstruction is suspected what should be done in horses?
place urinary catheter
what can blood tests show when investigating urinary disease in horses?
leucocytosis from inflammation or infection
anaemia
azotaemia
how are urine samples normally collected from horses?
midstream
catheter
what urine tests are done on horses?
USG
biochemistry
sediment analysis
how are urinary ultrasounds done on horses and what can they show?
transrectal or transabdominal
uroliths in kidneys and bladder, kidney structure
what is cystoscopy used for in horses?
examine urethra, bladder, ureters
describe the water deprivation test in horses
weigh horse
check urea, creatinine and USG
remove water and regularly measure parameters
when is water deprivation test done in horses?
PUPD
when do you stop the water deprivation test in horses?
reach 24 hours USG above 1.020 azotaemia signs of dehydration loss of 5% BW
what can be causes of pigmenturia in horses?
myoglobin from myopathy
haemoglobin from haemolysis
haematuria from UT bleeding
what are causes of PUPD in horses?
renal failure
PPID
diabetes
what are clinical signs of acute renal failure in horses?
lethargy
inappetence
signs of primary issue
dehydration
how is acute renal failure in horses diagnosed?
oliguria
azotaemia
USG
casts in urine
how is acute renal failure in horses treated?
reverse underlying cause
IVFT
correct electrolytes
dopamine to improve renal blood flow
what are nursing considerations for horses with acute renal failure?
IVFT
monitor urine output
check for signs of laminitis
encourage eating and grazing
what is the prognosis for horses with acute renal failure?
can live long but often polyuric and need constant water
what affects prognosis of horses with acute renal failure?
underlying cause
duration
response to treatment
complications
what are causes of chronic renal failure in horses?
immune mediated, ischemic, toxic or infectious glomerulonephritis
what are clinical signs of chronic renal disease in horses?
lethargy anorexia weight loss PUPD dental tartar azotaemia unconcentrated urine
what is the prognosis for equine chronic renal disease?
poor
list nursing considerations for equine chronic renal disease
IVFT
provide water
encourage eating
reduce protein in diet
what are signs of UTI in horses?
dysuria
how are UTIs diagnosed in horses?
urine sample
bacteriology
find underlying cause
where is neoplasia of UT normally found in horses and what types?
penis
squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, sarcoid, papilloma
what are signs of penile SCC in horses?
swollen sheath
haematuria
obstruction when large
how is equine penile SCC treated?
depend on position and extent
local excision
penile resection
what is prognosis for equine penile SCC?
high recurrence
low metastasis
what horses are more prone to urolithiasis?
males as shorter wider urethra
adults
where are uroliths mainly found in horses?
bladder
then kidneys then ureters then urethra
what type of uroliths do horses get?
calcium carbonate
what is the difference between type 1 and 2 uroliths in horses?
1- yellow, spiculated, easily broken up
2- grey, smooth
what is a sabulous urolith in horses?
accumulation of urine sediment in ventral bladder
how can you prevent recurrence of uroliths in horses?
no supplementary electrolytes or alfalfa
monitor for UTI
what are signs of cystic calculi in horses?
dysuira
haematuria
stranguria
incontinence
how is cystic calculi diagnosed in horses?
rectal
endoscopy
ultrasound
how is cystica calculi treated in horses?
laparotomy and cystotomy
what is urethral calculi in horses?
small crystals passed into urethra
what are signs of urethral calculi in horses?
dysuria
colic
ARF, CRF
rupture
how is urethral calculi treated in horses?
perineal urethrotomy
what causes urinary incontinence in horses?
upper or lower motor neurone disorders
myogenic disorders
sabulous urolithiasis
what are the main causes of bladder paralysis in horses?
neurologic disease
herpes virus
what are the consequences of bladder paralysis in horses?
incontinence
scalding
loss of anal and muscle tone
how do you nurse horses with bladder paralysis?
clean perineum
protect from scalding
manage catheters
monitor UOP
what can cause developmental urinary abnormalities in foals?
failure of closure at birth of urachus which in utero carries urine from bladder to allantoic cavity
what are signs of patent urachus in foals?
urine dripping from umbilicus
how is patent urachus in foals treated?
prophylactic antibiotics
surgical resection
when does bladder rupture typically happen in foals?
males during parturition
how do foals with bladder rupture present?
dullness over first 72 hours
what is the effect of bladder rupture in foals?
electrolyte imbalance
urine accumulation in abdomen
how is foals bladder rupture treated?
IVFT
surgical correction
