Normal Temperature Readings in Horses and Treatments for Abnormalities
Normal temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate of the horse are signs that indicate the health of the animal. A deviation from the norm indicates the beginning of the development of a dangerous disease. Usually the temperature rises due to an infectious disease. A decrease in the indicator can be caused by internal complications, allergies. If the temperature is abnormal, the horse is recommended to be seen by the veterinarian
Normal temperature
A horse is an animal that requires careful grooming and acceptable housing conditions. At the age of 6-9 months, the primary vaccination of stallions is carried out. The fact is that there are infectious diseases (anthrax, rabies, tetanus), from which animals cannot be cured, and the only salvation is vaccination.
It is recommended to keep the horses in clean stables, to monitor the quality of feed and water. True, even observing preventive measures it is impossible to protect animals from infections. Insects, rodents, sick animals can infect a horse. A horse can accidentally get drunk from a polluted reservoir, eat contaminated food. It is best to constantly monitor the health of your horses.
The main things to look out for are temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. It is recommended to examine the animal at rest, and not after a walk or work. It should be remembered that the horse has the lowest temperature in the early morning and the highest in the evening. Temperature fluctuations also depend on the breed of the animal.
The normal body temperature of an adult horse is 37.5-38.5 degrees. If the indicator is higher or lower than normal, then the animal is sick. True, a slight increase to 39.4 degrees is allowed. Temperature usually rises after exercise. In healthy foals, it reaches 39 degrees.
It is recommended to measure pulse and respiratory rate at the same time. Necessarily at rest. A healthy horse should have a pulse rate of 36-42 beats per minute. The acceptable respiratory rate of the animal is 8-14 breaths in 60 seconds. In order to determine whether a horse is sick, you still need to carefully examine it. If you find any serious symptoms (discharge, ulcers, seizures, wheezing, coughing), you should contact your veterinarian.
Why there may be deviations from the norm
Usually, a temperature rise of up to 42 degrees indicates an infectious disease. Horses can develop tuberculosis, leptospirosis, listeriosis, smallpox, salmonellosis, and other diseases. The animal often becomes infected in the pasture, because dangerous bacteria live in the ground for several years.Dirty water, rodent-contaminated grain feed, hay or silage can become infected. Harmful bacteria and fungi live and multiply in wet litter, penetrate the animal's skin through wounds, insect bites.
Important! An increase in temperature can be caused by prolonged exposure to heat, pregnancy of the horse, or strong physical exertion.
The temperature of the animal is not only higher, but also lower than normal. The reason for this condition: hypothermia due to a long stay in a cold room or outside, a state of shock, an allergic reaction, internal illness, and the onset of oncology.
The main symptoms
The onset of the disease is determined by measuring the temperature of the animal, as well as the pulse and respiration rate. There are a number of other signs that can signal a dangerous illness.
Symptoms indicating the presence of the disease:
- the gum is not pink, but brick red, yellow or white;
- strong unreasonable sweating;
- chills;
- lethargic or, conversely, excited state;
- loose stools or constipation;
- urine is not yellow, but red;
- profuse salivation;
- discharge from the nose and eyes;
- teeth grinding;
- muscle twitching, cramps;
- cough, wheezing;
- refusal to feed, loss of appetite.
Depending on the disease, the animal has certain painful symptoms. Only a veterinarian can determine the disease and prescribe treatment. You can alleviate the condition of the animal if you give him plenty of drink. The water should not be too cold.
How to measure the temperature correctly
In order to measure the temperature of a horse, you need to buy a veterinary thermometer with a rigid or flexible long end. The fact is that this device is half inserted into the anus of the animal. Thermometers are sold in veterinary pharmacies. A device designed to measure a horse's body temperature must have a long end (flowing tube). Better to buy a digital thermometer (price - $ 3-10).
It will take two people to measure the temperature. One - calms the animal, strokes it on the neck. Another person inserts a thermometer into the anus. You can measure the temperature yourself. True, you will have to tie the animal to the post. It is advisable to carry out the procedure after a bowel movement. It is recommended to wash the anus.
Temperature measurement method:
- grease the long end of the device with petroleum jelly;
- stroking the horse's buttocks;
- stand very close, on the left side;
- take the base of the tail and take it to the side;
- gently insert the thermometer (halfway) into the anus;
- keep the tail constantly so that the animal does not get knocked down by the sticking device
- wait 15-60 seconds;
- carefully remove the thermometer and take the reading.
After the procedure, the device must be rinsed from feces and disinfected. A clean thermometer can be put in a box. It is better to store the device in the first-aid kit, together with other medicines for animals.
Treatment methods
Before treating an animal, it is necessary that it is examined by a veterinarian and diagnosed. Horses suffer from various diseases. There are no universal drugs that treat all diseases at the same time. In each case, doctors prescribe the necessary treatment. Previously, the animals are prescribed to be tested.
Fever in a horse
If the animal has a high fever, most likely it has some kind of infectious disease. In order to make horses less sick, it is recommended for them to be vaccinated in the first months of life. Animals are vaccinated against the most dangerous diseases (from anthrax, rabies, tetanus, flu).
If a vaccinated horse is still sick, then it has a weakened immune system.As a treatment, the doctor prescribes serums, antibiotics, hormonal agents, diuretics, ointments, and in rare cases, pain relievers are given. During treatment, the horse must be quarantined, that is, in a separate, darkened room.
The animals are prescribed injections, droppers, enemas, gastric lavage. A sick horse is placed on a soft bedding and given light food. The course of treatment lasts 1-2 weeks.
Important! Horses do not tolerate heat well. Usually doctors prescribe them antipyretic drugs (Fluniject, Phenyl). Although, if antibiotics are given, the temperature drops after they are used. It is recommended to give the animal plenty of lightly salted water. The temperature is also lowered with the help of cold rubdowns, droppers with saline.
Below normal
If the temperature of the animal is below 37.5 degrees, then this may be a symptom of some kind of internal illness. The diagnosis is established by specialists by examination, tests and ultrasound are required. True, a similar condition is observed in emaciated, weakened horses, as well as after hypothermia or drinking cold water. Low body temperature may be due to allergies. Hypothermia also occurs during fever.
With a sharp drop in temperature, the animal has cold skin covered with clammy sweat. Mucous membranes are blue due to stagnation of venous blood. The lower lip may sag. The sick animal does not stand well on its feet. Bending of the legs or tremors may occur.
First of all, the animal must be put on a diet and given a lot of warm drink, the water can be slightly salted. The room should be warm. It is recommended to change the bedding and add a lot of dry straw. Treatment is carried out only after the diagnosis has been established. The veterinarian should prescribe medications.
Prevention
For a horse to be healthy, it needs care and nutrition throughout its life. A few months after birth, animals are vaccinated against the most common diseases.
At any time of the year, even in winter, the horse should be hygienically cleaned. In winter, the skin of the animal is wiped with a damp sponge; in summer, the horse can be poured with water from a hose. Every year, you need to carry out antiparasitic measures, give funds for worms, and engage in the elimination of fleas.
And the stable itself should always be clean, dry and warm. The litter should be changed regularly. Once a month, it is advisable to disinfect the premises. Caustic soda, lime milk, chlorine solution are used as disinfectants. During disinfection, animals must be taken out of the room. At the end of the sanitization, the stable is washed with clean water and ventilated.
