Emergencies

24 HOUR EMERGENCY LINE

826-9001 Extension 32

We have on call Veterinarians to handle your surgical and medical emergencies. Calls are received 24 hours a day for new and current clients. Our well-equipped laboratory and the latest diagnostic tools allow for a thorough evaluation of all emergency admissions and for continued monitoring of intensive care cases.

  • ICU stalls
  • Large Volume fluid administration
  • Rapid in house labs
  • 24 hour patient care and monitoring available
  • Contract surgeon available for colic surgeries

Horse recovering on IV fluids in ICU stall.

Horse recovering on IV fluids in ICU stall.

If you have an emergency, STAY CALM and call the hospital

541-826-9001 ext. 32.

If you get a recording, leave a message in the emergency mailbox that includes a phone number where you can be reached. Stay by the phone and keep the telephone line free. Your call will be returned promptly by the on call veterinarian.

Have the following ready BEFORE you call our office:

  • Owners name, address, phone number and credit card information
  • Name, age, breed, and sex of the horse
  • Street address of farm where the horse is located and be prepared to give directions
  • Description of the problem
  • Paper and pencil to write down instructions

Normals for Adult Horses

Heart Rate: 38-48 beats per minute

Respiratory Rate: 10-20 breaths per minute

Temperature: 98-101.5 degrees (usually one degree higher in afternoons than in mornings)

FOR COLIC: Walk the horse until veterinary help arrives. If you have Banamine or other medications, do not administer them unless directed to by your veterinarian.

FOR LACERATIONS: To control bleeding and to protect the wound, apply a clean well padded support bandage if the wound is on a leg. In cases of severe bleeding, pressure bandages are best. Do not apply any medications or antiseptics ;until your veterinarian determines whether or not the laceration can be sutured! They can injure exposed tissue and delay healing.

FOR FEVER: Fevers are usually a sign of infection. Fevers above 105 degrees can be life threatening. Bathing in cold water can be an effective way to lower body temperature, as well as alcohol baths and cold water enemas.

FOR CHOKE: “Choke” is a term for a bolus of feed obstructing the esophagus which causes saliva and feed particles to be coughed out of the mouth and nostrils. Most cases resolve on their own within 20-30 minutes Encourage the horse to lower its head to allow the saliva and fed to flow from the mouth and nose. Massage of the neck over the jugular groove may help. Call your veterinarian if the problem does not resolve within 30 minutes. Withhold all feed for at least 12 hours

FOR LAMENESS: Sudden, non-weight bearing lameness is an emergency that requires veterinary attention. Keep the horse calm and quiet until help arrives. If the horse must be moved or trailered, a well padded splint should be applied to the affected limb.