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.

Read more at AQHA.

The post Boo, Hiss: How To Handle Equine Snakebites appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Tetanus is caused by a spore-forming bacterium that is present in the intestinal tract of horses, humans and other animals. It also lives in the soil, where it can be viable for multiple years, posing an ongoing threat to people and horses, which are the most susceptible animal to tetanus.

The bacteria can enter a body through even small open wounds, cuts or incisions, but puncture wounds are particularly susceptible, especially to the sole of the hoof. Infection can also occur through gastric or intestinal ulcers after eating contaminated soil or feces. Foals can also become infected through their naval as the umbilicus heals. The fatality rate for horses who contract tetanus is 75 percent, so vaccination is imperative. 

A horse with tetanus will be overly sensitive to noise and movement. As the disease progresses, the horse's third eyelid will prolapse, his nostrils will flare and he will adopt a “sawhorse” stance, with rigid muscles and a tail held away from the body. Most affected horses will eventually have respiratory failure and die. 

Tetanus is completely preventable through vaccination, which is considered an AAEP core vaccine.

Read more at AQHA. 

The post It’s Everywhere: Why Tetanus Vaccination is Imperative appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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