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Boo, Hiss: How To Handle Equine Snakebites

As the weather warms across the country, snakes are becoming more active – and the chance for snakebites rises. Though many horses don't bother snakes when they come upon them in pastures and fields, it's not unusual for inquisitive horses to be bitten on the nose, head or neck. Horses may also get bitten on the lower legs, though these bites are less dangerous to a horse's wellbeing.

Owners rarely see a horse get bitten by a snake, but knowing how to properly handle a horse who has been bitten is key. The most dangerous snake species for horses is the rattlesnake, which is common in the southwest and western parts of the United States. Copperheads and water moccasins are also venomous and pose a danger to horses. All three of these snakes have toxins and digestive enzymes in their venom that cause extreme, localized swelling, tissue damage, and heart complications.

A horse who has been bitten by a snake will be swollen and painful at the bite site and bloody discharge may drain from his nostrils. If the horse was bitten on the head, his eyelids may swell shut and his breathing may be compromised as his nostrils and throat swell. The bite may be severe enough to cause muscle weakness.

A horse requires immediate medical attention if they received a venomous snake bite. A horse owner should keep the horse as calm as possible to slow toxin absorption until the vet can arrive. The horse should not be moved unless the veterinarian determines the horse needs to be trailered to a clinic. Owners should not try to open the wound further or remove the venom.

If the horse was bitten on the nose, a piece of garden hose may need to be inserted into each nostril to keep his airway open. If the horse was bitten on the leg, a tourniquet should be placed above the bite area. Cold water or ice packs placed on the bite can delay swelling.

The veterinarian will administer anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids to reduce tissue swelling and may also give a tetanus booster or antitoxin. The vet may also administer antivenin. In severe cases, the vet may perform a tracheotomy to prevent suffocation.

Saddle Time After Shots: What Workload Is Acceptable?

Though horses tend to receive many more vaccinations than an average, healthy human, that doesn't mean their bodies are more adapted to dealing with them. Equus magazine recently took a look at the best recommendations for keeping horse comfortable after receiving a round of vaccinations.

Like human vaccines, many equine vaccinations are delivered intramuscularly. Though most horses will have a minimal reaction other than localized inflammation and soreness at the injection site, some horses may be stiff and unwilling to bend their neck.

While it's not recommended that the horse be worked intensely the day after he receives his shots, he can be ridden lightly the day of the vaccinations or the next day. This should make the sore muscles feel less stiff. After the first 48 hours, the horse can be returned to his normal exercise routine and intensity.

A horse should not be worked at all if he has significant swelling or stiffness, or if he has a fever. When in doubt, talk with the horse's treating veterinarian about what work, if any, they prefer the horse do.

How Horses Handle Vaccines: Side Effects Rare, But Know What To Look For

As more humans begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, discussion of vaccine side effects seems to be everywhere. Vaccinations are a key component of proper horse care, but luckily for horses, adverse reactions to a vaccine are fairly rare. When they do happen in horses, adverse reactions are often in response to the antigens, which are foreign proteins, and adjuvants, which are added to vaccines to enhance the immune response.

A horse experiencing an adverse reaction to a vaccine may seem “off.” He may stand with his head down and seem to have no energy. He may have a decreased appetite or have a fever. Additionally, he may seem body sore or there may be increased sensitivity at the actual injection site—or even swelling—that may cause him to hold his head and neck oddly.

Most vaccination reactions ease in 48 to 96 hours. A dose or two of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can be given (with veterinary permission) to help him through the pain, but doing nothing is also an option. If the horse's neck is sore, it may be harder for him to graze or eat if he's fed on the ground. A hanging hay net and elevated water source may help him until his discomfort eases.

In rare instances, a horse can have an anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary intervention.

To preempt a vaccination issue, it's helpful to keep track of what vaccines, including brand, the horse is given each year. If the horse has had reactions in the past, he can be given a dose of an NSAID just before or at the time of vaccination to prevent or reduce the adverse response.

Cellulitis: A Challenging Condition To Cure

Cellulitis is a sudden, painful skin infection that requires aggressive, immediate care. Most commonly affecting the hind legs, many horses recover readily, but complications are possible, and chronic flare-ups are a possibility.

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria penetrate the epidermis of the skin and multiplies in the subcutis, which is made up mainly of fatty and connective tissues. Primary cellulitis has no specific point of origin and exactly how it penetrates the skin is often unknown. Secondary cellulitis occurs when bacteria enter tissues through a known route, like a wound or surgical incision.

Cellulitis can be caused by a variety of bacteria and needs to be treated promptly. Left untreated, the infection can affect bone, tendon or synovial structures. Sepsis and laminitis can also occur.

Signs of cellulitis include:

Dramatic swelling that comes on rapidly and feels firm
Heat
Pain that tends to appear when the horse is asked to step forward rather than bear weight
Fever
Wetness: the swelling can progress rapidly to the point where fluid leaks from cracks in skin that is overstretched

A vet may take X-rays or do an ultrasound to rule out other possible issues like a joint infection or fracture. He or she may also culture the fluid weeping from the leg; this will help determine what bacteria is involved so that the proper antibiotic can be administered.

The primary treatment for cellulitis is intravenous antibiotics, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories to help with pain and swelling. Cold hosing or ice boots or bandaging can also help.

Horses with secondary cellulitis tend to recover more rapidly. Though some cases of cellulitis can be managed at home, severe cases may need to be referred to an equine hospital.

Horses that have had even one episode of cellulitis become susceptible to chronic cellulitis, specifically in the same limb, whether the skin was permanently damaged from the extreme swelling or because circulatory and lymphatics systems have been damaged to the point that they are unable to mount an immune response. Horses that have had cellulitis even once should be monitored carefully as even the tiniest wound may initiate a new round of cellulitis.

Tips to avoid cellulitis recurrence:

Turn out the horse as much as possible in dry condition
Use shampoo sparingly when bathing
Avoid sharing grooming tools and sterilize them regularly