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EQUINE MEDICINE

Nursing Skills

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONSIntramuscularCommon sitesNeckPectoralsSemimembranosus/tendinosusCommon needleAdult-18/20g 1 Foal-20/25g 1TechniqueCommon reactionsAt injection site:HeatPainSwelling

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS

SubcutaneousNot commonly usedAllergy shotCommon needle20/25g -1TechniqueNeedle at base of tent of skinCommon reactionsInjection siteHeat PainSwelling

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONSIntravenous-JugularCommon needleAny sizeTechniqueCommon reactionsHeatPainSwellingThrombosis of vein

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONSOral MedicationsCommonPaste in tube or syringeTechnique

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONSOphthalmic MedicationsCommon form:Ointment, dropsTechniqueSubpalpebral LavageFrequent medsDifficult horses

BLOOD COLLECTIONMost often from jugularOther sitesCephalicMedial SaphenousLateral ThoracicTransverse Facial Venous SinusMethodVacutainerNeedle & syringeCommon needle20 g 1-1 needleTechniqueCommon complicationsHeatPainSwellingVein thrombosis

INTRAVENOUS CATHETERSDetermination of type:LocationJugular most commonLength neededSilicone/Polyurethane-long termVolume of administrationAdult-14 gaugeFoal-14-16 gaugeCatheter lengthShort-less reactiveAdult-5 most commonFoal-2 -3TypesOver the needleOver the wire

INTRAVENOUS CATHETERSPlacement-JugularAseptic techniqueLidocaine local blockCatheter insertionSimilar to IV injections, bevel towards the heartSecuring the catheterSutured to skin at hubMonitoring & MaintenanceFlush every 6 hr

FLUID ADMINISTRATIONFluid Therapy PlanMaintenance RequirementsAdult-50 ml/kg/dayFoal-75-100 ml/kg/dayCalculation of DeficitBW (kg) x % dehydration=TFDOngoing Losses Estimate

FLUID ADMINISTRATIONMethod of AdministrationOralCost effectiveLimited volume for treatmentIntravenousRapid30-50L bolus in first 24 hr in first 1-2 hr

RECUMBENT HORSE CARERequires intense nursing careTurn every 6-8 hrMust be sternal to eat & drinkUrinary catheterManual evacuationMay use slingWeak but able to standCompatible horse

TRANSPORTATIONConsiderations: Long distanceStressFatigueRespiratory tract problemsDehydration Sick/InjuredDont tie colicsSeparate foal from mareNeurologic horses need supportFractures travel better confined

TRANSPORTATIONLoading/UnloadingArea-dirt if possibleEquipment:Loading rampHalter/LeadButt ropeStud chainWhip/broom/rakeFoodSedation

You are there to assist/not train the horse!!