Probably one of the most important things you need to know as a horse owner, especially if your
horse is sick, is their vital signs. First off you need to know what normal baseline vital signs are.
Then in an emergency or in case of illness you can check those vital signs to see if they are off.
Temperature: 99 to 101.5°F
Below normal temperature can be an indication of hypothermia or shock. An above normal temp
can be an indication of infection, fever, heat exhaustion, or from recent exercise.
Heart Rate: 30 to 44 beats per minute
Below normal heart rate can be from good athletic condition, heart problem, poisoning,
hypothermia, or shock. An above normal heart rate can from exercise, pain, fear, fever, heat
exhaustion, shock, heart problem, or anxiety.
Respiratory Rate 10 to 15 breaths per minute
Below normal: good athletic condition, hypothermia, shock, or drug effect. Above normal:
exercise, pain, fever, heat exhaustion, electrolyte imbalance, shock, respiratory condition.
Capillary Refill Time: 1 to 2 seconds
Slower refill time can indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Faster refill time means that the
horse's blood pressure is elevated either from recent exercise, excitement/fear/anxiety.
Gut Sounds
If no gut tones are present it can be an indication that gut motility has been stopped, usually due to
colic or an illness. Too much gut tones/rumbling can be an indication of gas.
Gum Color
Gum color should be from a pale to bubble-gum pink. White gums indicate anemia or shock.
Bright pink gums indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Brick-red, blue/purple, or muddy colored
gums can indicate poisoning or shock.
horse is sick, is their vital signs. First off you need to know what normal baseline vital signs are.
Then in an emergency or in case of illness you can check those vital signs to see if they are off.
Temperature: 99 to 101.5°F
Below normal temperature can be an indication of hypothermia or shock. An above normal temp
can be an indication of infection, fever, heat exhaustion, or from recent exercise.
Heart Rate: 30 to 44 beats per minute
Below normal heart rate can be from good athletic condition, heart problem, poisoning,
hypothermia, or shock. An above normal heart rate can from exercise, pain, fear, fever, heat
exhaustion, shock, heart problem, or anxiety.
Respiratory Rate 10 to 15 breaths per minute
Below normal: good athletic condition, hypothermia, shock, or drug effect. Above normal:
exercise, pain, fever, heat exhaustion, electrolyte imbalance, shock, respiratory condition.
Capillary Refill Time: 1 to 2 seconds
Slower refill time can indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Faster refill time means that the
horse's blood pressure is elevated either from recent exercise, excitement/fear/anxiety.
Gut Sounds
If no gut tones are present it can be an indication that gut motility has been stopped, usually due to
colic or an illness. Too much gut tones/rumbling can be an indication of gas.
Gum Color
Gum color should be from a pale to bubble-gum pink. White gums indicate anemia or shock.
Bright pink gums indicate illness, poisoning, or shock. Brick-red, blue/purple, or muddy colored
gums can indicate poisoning or shock.
All materials unless otherwise noted are © 2006-2008 Silver Athens
| P. O. Box 926 Sahuarita, AZ 85629 * Phone: (520)762-3296 * E-mail: info@equinerecline.org |
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| Rescue, Rehabilitation, & Retirement Sahuarita, AZ |
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| Vital Signs |
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