Just researching/learning

[Lissie2]

Out of curiosity what issues would you deem serious enough for an immediate call to vet, what problems would you manage for a few days yourself and then call vet if no improvement, and what problems would you attempt to manage yourself? I'm trying to get a feel for what is serious and what's less of a concern from a light graze through to colic, hopping lame etc etc. All answers appreciated no matter how lengthy. I'm aware you get a natural feel for this with experience x

 

[milliepops]

Oooh it's a little tough on some things to say where you'd draw the line because yes, you get a feel for it. But in general for my horses:

any colic, I wouldn't hang about on that at all.

a large wound that could need stitching, or anything that I was concerned wasn't clotting

Lameness - this depends on the feel you get about it, perhaps go to farrier first (lucky me my OH is a farrier so I'm guaranteed a visit on the same day ) but generally if hopping lame then I'd at least phone vet for opinion on next steps. I've had one like this that was a fracture so worth an emergency call out.
If it looks like it might need a scan then I would discuss on the phone and arrange to scan when bute/cold therapy had resolved any swelling first.
Something like a hot filled leg would get an immediate callout for me as I've had cellulitis before from a tiny cut, and that needs to be addressed quite fast.

eyes other than mild running eyes from flies etc. I think you can't wait about if you have an eye problem as they can go wrong quite quickly.

anything else highly unusual where the horse was not 'itself'. so any worrying lumps, bumps, discharges etc. I know what's normal for my horses in terms of behaviour, runny noses, grass glands, temperature etc so here's where the feel part comes in - some things you know will probably resolve themselves same as it would in humans, other things are too far from normal to be able to ignore them.

 

[crabbymare]

just answered in the other forum. but as a general guide things like horse going down and unable to get up (not just sleeping) colic. deep cut. sudden swelling on a leg (especially a joint). very lame with no apparant cause or kick to the head. are all examples of call vet straight away. things like horse off colour. a bit lame or an obviuuos cause of lameness that can be dealt with by hosing then I would wait a few days. graze or hair missing from a bite in the field would not require a vet. if in doubt speak to a vet and let them decide if a call out is needed
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?746737-Research-learning#JRxPsW9Gam83mjpA.99