| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 680.1 | A few suggestions | BOEHM::SCHLENER | | Mon Aug 15 1988 14:34 | 69 |
| I started a first aid kit for my horse a couple of years ago and
it's better stocked than what I have for humans! In other words,
if I get injured I would have to go to the stable to get bandages.
Here's a list of what I have in my med-kit.
1) Furazone (? spelling) - it's a anti-bacterial cream/spray that
good for open cuts, scraps .... I suggest both forms since the
cream is good for those cuts you can get to and the spray is good
for those spots the horse doesn't want you to get to.
2) Vetrolin - it's a great linament and smells wonderful. It's good
after a tough workout and Jasper seems to appreciate it.
3) epson salts - Very important for soaking legs.
4) betadine - its an antiseptic that is good for cleaning wounds.
I use this before I put on the furazone.
5) non stick gauze pads, a big roll of non stick gauze, saran wrap
- necessary if there's a wound that has to be sweated down or just
a swollen leg. The gauze (both the pad and roll) are used if the
horse has a wound/cut that is swelling up.
6)quilt pads and racing/polo wraps. I use the quilt pads underneath
the wraps to give the leg more padding/protection. I use racing
or polo wraps since they tend to be longer than regular wraps and
you won't have to resort to using 2 wraps per leg.
7) bot egg knife. It's that time of year again that the bot flies start
to lay their eggs on horses. My horse's knees were covered with
little white/yellow bot eggs until I took my knife to them!
8) band aids - for me!
9) a pocket/swiss army knife. You never know when you may need a
strong knife. There was an incident a few years ago at my previous
stable, where the hitching post the horse was attached to, dropped
to the ground. For some reason (I can't remember why) the horse
was being choked by his halter. (the halter was attached to the
post with rope)
If someone had not had a knife to cut through the rope, I doubt
the horse would be alive today.
10) pill syringe (I doubt that's the real name). It's a metal pill
syringe that can be used for giving a horse bute pills (pain killers).
11) twitch - this is not humane but there are instances where you
do have to twitch a horse to make him stand still. Case in point.
My horse was injured about a month after I bought him. He was jabbed
in the upper - inside part of his leg. Needless to say, the vet
couldn't get close to that area of Jasper's leg even after
Jasper was given pain killers. Even with a chain over his nose,
Jasper would go nuts as soon as the vet tried opening the wound.
We finally had to twitch him.
( We still haven't figured out how Jasper got wounded)
There are probably more things you can buy, but the ones I listed
above are the items I have used in the past 3 years with my horse.
I don't think you can do anything about colic except call the vet
and do alot of walking with your horse.
As far as shots go, you probably should let your vet do it. Too
much penicillin can do damage too. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck with your new horse.
Cindy
|
| 680.2 | More for the Medecine Chest | DANUBE::PORTER | | Tue Aug 16 1988 08:56 | 24 |
| In addition:
1. scissors are a must for cutting bandages or tape.
2. Waterproof tape - 2 inch is the size most needed
3. Listerine - not because your horse has bad breath, but because
it makes a great leg sweat. This is applied under saran wrap
and bandaged.
4. Bute you will have to get from the vet, but it is real handy
to keep some around for pain
5. as mentioned before you can get gauze pads and gauze wraps at
a drug store and you can't have enough of these on hand.
6. There is a powder (Puffer spray) available at tack shops which
will stop minor bleeding. I belive it is called Quick Clot.
Also get yourself familiar with your local drug store. I found
it very handy lately to have my vet call in a perscription for
antibiotics rather than me have to drive over an hour to pick them
up.
|
| 680.3 | Just a few more items | MED::D_SMITH | | Tue Aug 16 1988 09:39 | 25 |
|
Some possible additions you may want or need down the road...not
mentioned yet;
- A rectal thermometer for taking temp.- if the horse is ill in some way
that the vet would like to no what his normal signs are (pulse,
respiration and temperature). A watch with a second hand for the
first two of three.
- Vasoline for your therm.
- Alcohol for cleaning minor cuts, scrapes and abrasions.
- Hydrogen Peroxide also for cleaning cuts and with it's foming
actions, removes foreign objects like sand and dirt.
- Cotton balls for cleaning any form of cuts and scrapes.
- Baby oil is great for scrapes to help moisten dry skin, helping
promote hair growth there. Also works great for removing pine
sap from the hair.
- Whether this belongs in the chest; lice and tick powder. Came
in very handy this year.
|
| 680.4 | One more thing to have.... | PBA::KEIRAN | | Tue Aug 16 1988 09:43 | 4 |
| A stethascope is great to have to listen for bowel sounds in case
of colic.
|
| 680.5 | MORE FOR THE KIT | MILVAX::NICKERSON | | Tue Aug 16 1988 10:27 | 9 |
| All of the suggestions sound great to me. I would also include
Swat...great for minor wounds and keeps the flies away.
As far as tranquilizers and bute go, I would suggest that you contact
you vet before using any of these as they may mask the horse's
condition.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOU NEW HORSE
|
| 680.6 | beware the dates! | MARX::ROMBERG | Kathy Romberg DTN 276-8189 | Tue Aug 16 1988 11:31 | 16 |
| One thing to be careful of is medications with expiration dates.
If you have any of these in your medical box, be sure to
periodically go through and toss out anything that has expired.
Also, some medications require refrigeration.
Personally, I try not to keep anything that has an expiration
date in my general medical supply box. I wait until I need that
item, and then get it from the vet to be sure it's okay. I will keep
leftovers around until the expiration date and then it's into the
trash.
|
| 680.7 | | DYO780::AXTELL | Dragon Lady | Tue Aug 16 1988 14:03 | 18 |
| I, too have one of the better stocked medicine cabinets for the
critters. But a keep a separate kit for first aid emergencies. This
is kept totally separate and is self-contained, so that I don't
have to go searching for anything.
I keep a kit that's stocked with stuff for injuries, some
medications, and some diagnostic tools. A thermometer and stethoscope
are a must for any kit. For wounds, antibacterial soap, peroxide,
alcohol and furazone ointment, plus an assortment of gauze, pads, elastic
bandages cottons/reg leg bandages and that liquid bandage stuff
for those hard to bandage area. There's also a scissors, knife,
hoof pick and tapes. About the only medications I carry in this kit are
horse aspirin, DMSO, electrolytes and some bute in pill form.
I usually stuff a few people things in it too - bandaids, aspirin,
sinus pills...
|
| 680.8 | Basic First-Aid kit | SEDJAR::NANCY | | Tue Aug 16 1988 17:01 | 87 |
|
Basic First-Aid kit:
Thermometer - For some injuries/illnesses the Vet will instruct
you to monitor your horses' temperature.
Vasoline - For use with your thermometer. Also, you can use
vasoline when you don't have anything else for
superficial scraps.
Epsom Salt - Vet may instruct you to wash a wound out with Epsom
salt and water before reapplying bandages.
Betadine - Commonly used after flushing out a wound with water
because it can be used for cuts whereas alot of other
products can only be used for topical injuries (scraps).
Because of it's iodine content..when applied undiluted
to a cut it will sting and your horse will react for
example..by pulling it's leg up until the stinging
sensation goes away. Also handy for washing a mare
before breeding or foaling. General-purpose antiseptic.
Furazone - Can be used on deeper wounds (cuts). Also handy for
use on everyday scraps. A must-have for first-aid.
Bute - Ask your Vet for some. Comes in pill and paste form.
I prefer pills which I crush and put in their feed.
My vet gave me a plastic syringe with a larger hole
cut in the end (pill syringe) to be administered in
the same method as a paste wormer, just in case putting
it in their feed did not work. For various ailments or
injuries, the Vet will instruct you to use Bute, it is
convenient to keep some on hand.
Gauze Pads - Non-stick squares. For deeper wounds,Furazone is commonly
applied to the gauze pad which is applied directly
over the wound before wrapping with non-stick gauze
wrap. Get one or two boxes.
Gauze Wrap - Non-stick. Usually it is the first wrap, applied over
a gauze pad. Absorbs discharges (pus) from an infected
wound. Thrown away after usage. A few rolls would
be handy.
Washable Wraps - They are white and about 1/4" thick, approx 12"
and approx. 18" long. State Line Tack sells packages
of 4 for about $7.00. They are used as padding over
a wound before the final wrap is applied, or under
vet wrap that is applied to support the legs for
leg problems.
Vet Wrap - Comes in many colors and sticks to itself. It can
be used in place of gauze if you run out or in place
of leg wraps if you use padding underneath..if desired.
However, they become very expensive when used on a day
to day basis. Because it sticks to itself, you would
have to be very care in unwrapping them to be able to
reuse again. They are commonly thrown away after usage.
Do not reuse if soiled. I like them, they're easy to
use.
Bandages - Ace bandages or Bandages with velcro on the end. Good
for leg wounds or bandaging for leg support. They are
washable and reusable. Those without velcro can be taped
in place to hold them. I would suggest having at least
2 on hand. For prolonged usage, much cheaper than Vet
wrap.
Tape- For use with gauze, bandages that don't have velcro.
Small Bucket - Used to hold water, warm water from the house, Epsom
Salt & water, Betadine & water, etc. for cleaning
injuries.
Ivory Liquid soap - Dilutable and useful in cleaning the sheath,
dock area, udders. Handy to have. Mild. Can
be used to clean scraps once they have partially
healed or very minor ones, then topical dressing
is applied (furazone,vasoline,bag balm).
Clean washcloth - Used with water or other solutions to clean wounds.
Scissors - To cut bandages, etc.. Can't live without 'em!
2 spoons - Used to crush pills. Put the pill in one and use the
back of the other - pushing down with your thumb and
moving the spoon slightly left and right will easily
crush a pill to powder. Try it, works great! I like
the soup spoon size rather than teaspoon. Even your
silverware comes in handy with the horses.
Fly repellent - Always be sure that you have fly-repellent in the
summer. Nothing more disturbing than trying to bandage
a leg wound when the flies are making it impossible
for your horse to stand still.
Linaments with DMSO, special ointments, tranquilizers, penecillin,
antibiotics, etc. should be considered out of the ordinary and be
prescribed or administered by your Vet or under his supervision.
|
| 680.9 | Here are some more | NHL::NICKERSON | Bob Nickerson DTN 282-1663 :^) | Tue Aug 16 1988 19:23 | 18 |
| Here are a few that I didn't see in previous responses:
Nolvasan - A surgical scrub which can be used as previously described
for Betadine. By the way, be careful of any surgical soaps when
cleaning mares or stallions for breeding... many of them are also
spermacides which sort of defeats the purpose of breeding.
Icthamol - A gooey black paste made from fish oil which is
indispensible for foot abcesses, small punctures, or bee stings
(works for people too).
Red Pepper - Yup right from the grocery store. Its the only thing
I've found that will keep a horse from unwrapping the bandage from
a leg injury. You just make a thick paste and smear it on the outside
of the bandage. You won't need much, a little goes a long way.
Visine - For when you need an eye flush (bugs, hair, goop, etc)
|
| 680.10 | People Stuff for Horses? | PBA::SILVA | I finally got a PONY of my OWNY | Wed Aug 17 1988 09:24 | 9 |
| Bob,
I noticed you said Visine... I've always wondered if it is OK to
use "people" remedies on horses. Especially when I see alot of
Horse Equivalents at the tack shops. Usually they are of similar
chemical composition but MUCH higher priced. Is it just because
they say "for your horse"?
Cheryl
|
| 680.11 | "Nice to have" | SEDJAR::NANCY | | Wed Aug 17 1988 14:24 | 49 |
|
Nice things to have:
SWAT - Flies always seem to want to irritate your horses' open
wounds while they're healing. It's nice to have an
ointment you can apply that repells flies.
Fly repellent lotion - Equicare puts out a product that smells nice
and can be rubbed on the horses face and
around wounds to repell flies.
Medicated Shampoo - For skin dryness. When your horse starts rubbing
it's tail due to dryness, this helps. Baby oil
and Listerine are also commonly used.
Freeze wraps - Some injuries (swelling) require cold applications.
These wraps are EXPENSIVE. Hosing a leg injury down
or applying ice packs are other options. I prefer
hosing to anything else.
Quick clot - A powder that aids in stopping blood flow. Most cuts
and scraps don't result in serious bleeding. Blood
flow can help clean a wound. This product can be
used in conjuction with applying pressure to the
wound that won't stop bleeding.
Paper Towels - Easy to keep on hand and can be used for cleaning your
& Soap hands after/before applying ointments to wounds.
String - To attach to your rectal thermometer.
Disposable Razors - To shave small areas of hair off around a wound.
or Clippers However, if your Vet attends a wound he will
shave the area if it needs to be done.
Thrush Medication - Gets rid of Bacteria in the hooves that cause
or Chlorax Bleach thrush or soak horses feet in bleach and
& rubber bucket water. Can use bleach with water to clean feed
and water buckets.
Lysol Disinfectant - To disinfect stalls.
Tack Box - To put your medical supplies in to keep the
dust off them. I put loose supplies such as
gauze pads and bandages, in ziplock bags.
-Nancy-
|
| 680.12 | Don't get mislead... | SEDJAR::NANCY | | Wed Aug 17 1988 15:09 | 19 |
|
I would like to clarify 2 points that may be misleading in my
previous replies. Bob picked up on one of them and the other I
think the way I wrote it, could be misleading:
#1 Betadine used to clean a mare before breeding...I know some breeders
who like to do this, but.....they always follow it up by cleansing
with soap and water and then rinsing because antiseptics do act
like spermicides. They use it to disinfect the area around the
vulva. You also have to be careful of the type of soap you use,
and to make sure it is completely rinsed off before breeding.
#2 Quick Clot aids in stopping minor bleeding. I don't want anyone
to get the impression that it is meant to stop serious bleeding.
Regards, Nancy
Regards, Nancy
|
| 680.13 | A little more ... | KOAL::AIKEN | Arabian Horse Breeder DTN378-6706 | Fri Aug 19 1988 14:32 | 36 |
| To add my 2 cents:
1. Tie a clothes clip or alligator clip to the string that is attached
to your thermometer. Clip it to the horse's tail. I had a
colt this year that learned very quickly how to squirt that
therm right out! Now we clip and don't lose/break therms.
2. KLING makes a conforming gauze bandage that is probably available
in your supermarket/local pharmacy. Several rolls to the package
for about $5, I think.
3. Grab a couple mismatched socker socks from your kids/husband/wife.
These make great leg bandage covers (over gauze pads and rolled
gauze). Just cut off the foot and put the horse's leg into
the gathered sock. Use duct tape around the top and bottom
to hold it in place. Try to avoid getting the tape on the hair
and don't put the tape on too tight. This was a big money saver
when I had to treat a foal's hocks last year for about a month.
4. One of the most indispensable items in my medicine cabinet is
a mortar and pestle. I bought it at a kitchen shop. It's fairly
small, the two pieces fit together with no gaps. I can grind
up to four tablets in a few seconds. Then I scoop the powder
into a wide_mouth (for lack of a better term) syringe that has
about 1 cc of water in it. You can also mix the powder right
in the mortar with a little water and spoon into the syringe.
Add more water after dosing the horse with this, to get all
the medicine in the syringe.
Bob, wish I had know about Icthamol for bee stings! Got a "honey"
of a wasp sting under my eye last week. Had to rush up to the house
for baking powder after hosing my eye at the barn. Can Icth. be
used near eyes?
Thanks,
Merrie
|
| 680.14 | OK with Mom | PLANET::SILVA | I finally got a PONY of my OWNY | Fri Aug 19 1988 14:57 | 6 |
| My Mom used to use Itchamethol (sp???) on EVERYTHING!
Even on a rather large and very ugly zit I had on my face
(a L-O-N-G time ago). I would think that if it did not get into
the eye you would be OK. Just remember that body heat will cause
it to run a little so don't apply to close.
|
| 680.15 | ...oh, oh forgot to ask if... | PLANET::SILVA | I finally got a PONY of my OWNY | Fri Aug 19 1988 15:01 | 3 |
| what do you (or anyone else out there) think about
using "people" medicine on horses? like visine or
first aid cream. Has anyone tried this...
|
| 680.16 | Some late replies | PBA::NICKERSON | Bob Nickerson DTN 282-1663 :^) | Wed Aug 31 1988 14:42 | 27 |
| Sorry for the delay in my answer but I've been a tad busy lately.
I use visine and have for years as an eye wash or to reduce redness.
I've never had any ill effects except that it usually gets thrown
out before the bottle is used because the date expires. I generally
do not use people products on horses unless there is no difference
in the two products or I was instructed to by a vet. In the case
of visine, the vet told me to use it. In general I find that the
horse products are cheaper than the people version, so I haven't
had the urge to use them. There are times when there are better
products for horses than people. An example is using a furisin
based topical ointment in place of first aid cream. In cuts on
the lower leg that look prone to building proud flesh, I use furisin
mixed with a steriod that the vet prepares. You have to keep it
wrapped longer, but it does a good job of inhibiting proud flesh.
I don't know whether icthamol is a problem around eyes, but I'd
be very careful because it sure looks nasty enough. I know for
a fact that it works well for anything you want to draw out.
We use a surgical scrub followed by soap (Ivory bar soap) in exactly
the manner previously described. It works for us, but we are very
careful about keeping the area clean. Sometimes I wonder if we're
doing for our own peace of mind or if its really necessary. I've
never seen a stallion stop and say "You'll have to clean that mare
up first or nothing doing" and they do breed in the wild...
|