First Aid Flashcards
Signs of colic (10)
- Flehmen
- Biting at sides/stomach
- Depression
- Lying down at unusual times
- Restlesness
- General discomfort
- Sweating
- Pawing
- Increased pulse and respiration
- Yawning, grinding of teeth
Triggers for colic
- Abundance of grain, alfalfa or rich pasture
- Sudden feed changes
- Moldy feed
- Feeding or watering after exercise (impaction)
- Cribbing (gas colic)
- Gastric ulcers
Spasmodic colic
Caused by spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines
Spasmodic colic can be brought on by _____ (5)
- Weather or barometric pressure changes
- Shipping
- Competition
- Toxic plants
- Blister beetles
Impaction
Stems from dry intestinal contents when intestinal motility is slow or when there is insufficient intestinal
water present.
Impaction colic can be brought on by _____ (6)
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances that affect guy motility
- Obstruction
- Limited exercise
- Decreased water intake
- Consumption of coarse food, bedding or foreign materials
Gaseous colic
Originates from gas build up in the intestine, causing over-distention and pain
Gaseous colic is caused by
Any change to the normal movement patterns in the intestines.
Bacterial overgrowth occurs in the stagnant gut, resulting in the death of the bacteria. The death of certain bacteria releases endotoxins which may result in shock, laminitis, or death
Intestinal displacement or torsion
Stems from a loop of bowel that has moved into an inappropriate position in the body. The bowel may become trapped or twisted.
Sand colic
causes impaction, stems from the accumulation of ingested sand. The heavy and abrasive sand can
erode through the intestinal lining at the location of the obstruction
Torsion
large intestinal twist
Volvulus
Small intestinal twist
Incarcerated bowel
Trapped bowel
Choke
Esophageal obstruction
Heaves/recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)
Can be caused by allergies or environmental issues.
Symptoms include: coughing, flared nostrils, depression, increased breathing rate, white nasal discharge, labored
breathing and markedly decreased stamina
Influenza is spread by (3)
- Nose to nose
- Coughing
- contaminated housing and substances capable of
transferring disease such as food, water, human hands, buckets, rakes and clothing
Influenza quarantine
2-3 weeks
Influenza symptoms (7)
- lethargy
- depression
- lack of interest in food
- body temperatures from 103 to 106 degrees
- increased respiration rate (up to 60 breaths per minute)
- watery nasal discharge
- dry, hacking cough
Roaring
characterized by the paralysis of
muscles of the vocal cords due to nerve damage
Surgery for roaring
tie-back
Strangles bacterium
Streptococcus equi
Strangles quarantine
Six weeks
Strangles progression
Swelling of lymph nodes
Inflammation surrounding the pharynx
Lymph drains pus
Tying up
An inflammatory event in the muscle is known as myositis, while a muscular cramp is known as tying up syndrome
Tying up symptoms (3)
- higher than normal heart rate during exercise
- Poor heart rate recovery
- Muscles may visibly cramp, spasm, or swell
Equine Protozoal Myelitis (EPM)
Caused by a parasitic migration in the spinal cord that results in significant nerve damage
Possible EPM hosts
skunks and opposums
EPM symptoms (5)
- High head carriage
- Head tossing
- Falling of forehand
- Run outs or refusals
- Asymmetric muscle atrophy
EPM neurological symptoms (5)
- Aggression
- Laziness
- Unpredictability
- Anxiety
- Hyper-sensitivity
Tetanus cause
Clostridium tetani
Malignant edema cause
Clostridium septicum
Febrile
Horse with a fever
Horse fever that needs assistance
103.5 and above
How much blood can a horse lose
2 gallons
Time to clot small blood vessel
12 minutes
Proud flesh
Exuberant granulation. It is an angry-looking tissue that bleeds very easily.
Anhidrosis
decreased ability of a horse to sweat in response to increased body temperature. It manifests primarily in hot,
humid climates
Intramuscular (IM) injections locations
Neck. thigh, rump or pectoral
Intravenous (IV) injections location
jugular vein
Sub Q injection location
Loose skin. Often behind elbow
Problems associated with injections (6)
- Cellulitis
- Abscess at injection site
- Anaphylatic shock
- Sore neck
- Fibrotic myopathy
- Thrombophlebitis
Incision
A clean cut caused by a sharp object
Laceration
A tear with jagged edges caused by a rough or irregular surface
Abrasion
A scrape or sore that resembles road rash
Puncture
A narrow, deep wound
Contusion or bruise
Often caused by a kick or a blow. The skin may remain intact, but the underlying blood vessels and
tissues are damaged. There can be bleeding under the skin, causing a hematoma
Burns
These can be created by chemicals, heat or irritants
Superficial rope burn
generally only reddened, thickened skin
Partial thickness rope burn
edema under the skin, intense inflammation and pain. Strong chance of becoming infected
Full thickness rope burn
displays leathery and tanned tissue, extensive limb swelling, and may be numb
Topicals that slow wound healing (4)
Tincture of Iodine
Soaps and detergents
Hydrogen peroxide
Alcohol (rubbing or isopropyl)
Useful antiseptics (8)
- A&D
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Silver sulfadiazine
- nolvasan (chlorhexidine)
- Povidone iodine
- Aloe vera
- Sugardine
- Unprocessed honey