Emergency

Dr. Becky Hicks helping an intern with an abdominal ultrasound during an emergency colic work up.

Pioneer’s veterinarians are on call 24/7 to assist in after-hours equine emergencies. If you aren’t sure whether the situation is a true emergency, that’s okay, still call our phone number and talk to our on-call veterinarian. Whenever possible, we recommend hauling your horse to the clinic, where we have all our diagnostic tools available, if needed. The emergency veterinarian will meet you when you arrive.

Call (209) 847-5951

Normal Vital Signs:

Heart Rate: 28-44 beats per minute

Respiratory Rate: 8 - 20 breaths per minute

Temperature: 99.0 - 101.5 F

Please have this information ready when you call

  • Horse Owner’s name and phone number

  • Horse name, age, breed, and sex

  • Description of the problem

  • Insurance company name if applicable

  • Pen and paper to write down any instructions

What are some cases that are considered emergencies?

  • A mare and foal in the stall after a successful assisted foaling.

    Difficulty foaling (Dystocia)

  • Foal in stall on IV fluids and oxygen.

    Sick Foals (Not standing, not nursing, diarrhea, fever, etc.)

  • An equine eye with hyphema.

    Eye Abnormalities (tearing, squinting, changes in color)

  • Horse with a swollen head.

    Head or nose swelling (possible snake bite)

  • Fracture of the first phalanx of the horse

    Severe limb lameness and/or swelling

  • Wound on the chest of a horse

    Lacerations

  • An abnormal larynx in the horse

    Difficulty Breathing (Increase respiratory rate or effort)

  • Fracture of teh maxilla in a horse

    Difficulty Eating or Drinking

  • Horse rolling due to abdominal pain.

    Colic