Horse temperature: normal values and causes of deviations, treatment

Normal temperature, pulse, respiration rate of a horse are signs that indicate the he alth of the animal. Deviation from the norm indicates the beginning of the development of a dangerous disease. Usually the temperature rises due to an infectious disease. A decrease in the indicator can be caused by internal complications, allergies. If the temperature is abnormal, it is recommended that the horse be taken to the veterinarian.

Normal temperature

A horse is an animal that requires careful care and acceptable living conditions. At the age of 6-9 months, the primary vaccination of stallions is carried out.The fact is that there are infectious diseases (anthrax, rabies, tetanus) from which animals cannot be cured, and the only salvation is vaccination.

Horses are recommended to be kept in clean stables, to monitor the quality of feed and water. True, even observing preventive measures it is impossible to protect animals from infections. Insects, rodents, sick animals can infect a horse. A horse can accidentally get drunk from a contaminated reservoir, eat contaminated food. It is better to constantly monitor the he alth of horses.

The main thing to pay attention to is the temperature, breathing rate and pulse. It is recommended to examine the animal at rest, and not after a walk or work. It should be remembered that the horse has the lowest temperature in the early morning, and the highest in the evening. Temperature fluctuations also depend on the breed of the animal.

The normal body temperature of an adult horse is 37.5-38.5 degrees. If the indicator is higher or lower than normal, then the animal is sick.True, a slight increase to 39.4 degrees is allowed. The temperature usually rises after exercise. In he althy foals, it reaches 39 degrees.

It is recommended to measure the pulse and respiratory rate at the same time. Definitely at rest. In a he althy horse, the pulse should be 36-42 beats per minute. The acceptable breathing rate of the animal is 8-14 breaths per 60 seconds. In order to determine if the horse is sick, you still need to carefully examine it. If serious symptoms (discharge, ulcers, seizures, wheezing, cough) are detected, contact your veterinarian.

Why there may be deviations from the norm

Usually, an increase in temperature to 42 degrees indicates an infectious disease. Horses can get tuberculosis, leptospirosis, listeriosis, smallpox, salmonellosis and other diseases. An animal often becomes infected in a pasture, because dangerous bacteria live in the ground for several years.The object of infection can be dirty water, rodent-contaminated grain feed, hay or silage. Harmful bacteria and fungi live and multiply in wet litter, penetrate the animal's skin through wounds, insect bites.

Important! An increase in temperature can be caused by prolonged exposure to the heat, pregnancy of the horse, strong physical exertion.

The temperature of an animal is not only higher, but also lower than normal. The reason for this condition: hypothermia due to a long stay in a cold room or on the street, a state of shock, an allergic reaction, internal illness, as well as the onset of oncology.

Main symptoms

The onset of the disease is determined by measuring the animal's temperature, as well as the pulse and respiration rate. There are a number of other signs that can serve as a signal of a dangerous illness.

Symptoms indicating the presence of the disease:

gingiva is not pink, but brick red, yellow or white;
strong causeless sweating;
chill;
sluggish or, conversely, excited state;
loose stools or constipation;
urine is not yellow, but red;
profuse salivation;
discharge from nose and eyes;
grinding teeth;
muscle twitching, cramps;
cough, wheezing;
feed refusal, loss of appetite.

Depending on the disease, the animal has certain painful signs. Only a veterinarian can determine the disease and prescribe treatment. You can alleviate the condition of the animal if you give him plenty of drink. The water should not be too cold.

How to measure the temperature correctly

In order to measure the temperature of a horse, you need to buy a veterinary thermometer with a solid or flexible long tip. The fact is that this device is half inserted into the anus of the animal. Thermometers are sold in veterinary pharmacies. An instrument designed to measure the body temperature of a horse must have a long end (a current tube). It is better to buy a digital thermometer (price - 3-10 dollars).

You will need two people to take your temperature. One - calms the animal, strokes its neck. Another person inserts a thermometer into the anus. You can measure the temperature yourself. True, you have to tie the animal to a pole. It is desirable to carry out the procedure after a bowel movement. It is recommended to wash the anus.

Temperature measurement method:

lubricate the long end of the device with Vaseline;
pat the horse on the buttocks;
stand very close, on the left side;
take the base of the tail and put it aside;
gently insert the thermometer (halfway) into the anus;
constantly hold the tail so that the animal does not knock down the protruding device;
wait 15-60 seconds;
carefully remove the thermometer and take readings.

After the procedure, the device must be washed from faeces and disinfected. A clean thermometer can be put in a box. It is better to store the device in the first aid kit, along with other medicines for animals.

Treatment methods

Before treating an animal, it is necessary that it be examined by a veterinarian and diagnosed. Horses suffer from various diseases. There are no universal medicines that treat all diseases at the same time.In each case, doctors prescribe the necessary treatment. Previously, animals are ordered to take tests.

Horse fever

If an animal has a high temperature, most likely it has some kind of infectious disease. In order for horses to get sick less, they are recommended to be vaccinated in the first months of life. Animals are vaccinated against the most dangerous diseases (anthrax, rabies, tetanus, influenza).

If a vaccinated horse is still sick, then it has a weakened immune system. As a treatment, the doctor prescribes serums, antibiotics, hormonal agents, diuretics, ointments, in rare cases, painkillers are given. During treatment, the horse must be quarantined, that is, in a separate, darkened room.

Animals are prescribed injections, droppers, enemas, gastric lavage. A sick horse is given soft bedding and light food. The course of treatment lasts 1-2 weeks.

Important! Horses do not tolerate heat well. Usually, doctors prescribe antipyretics for them (Fluniject, Phenyl). Although, if antibiotics are given, the temperature drops after their use. It is recommended to give the animal plenty of water with lightly s alted water. The temperature is also lowered with the help of cold rubdowns, droppers with saline.

Below normal

If the temperature of the animal is below 37.5 degrees, then this may be a symptom of some kind of internal illness. The diagnosis is established by specialists by the method of examination, be sure to do tests, ultrasound. True, a similar condition is observed in emaciated, weakened horses, as well as after hypothermia or drinking cold water. Low body temperature may be due to allergies. Hypothermia also occurs during a fever.

When the temperature drops sharply, the animal has cold skin covered with sticky sweat. The mucous membranes are blue in color due to venous blood stasis. The lower lip may droop. A sick animal does not stand well on its feet. There may be buckling of the legs or tremors.

First of all, the animal needs to be put on a diet and give him a lot of warm drink, the water can be slightly s alted. The room must be warm. It is recommended to change the bedding, pour a lot of dry straw. Treatment is carried out only after the diagnosis is established. A veterinarian should prescribe medications.

Prevention

In order for a horse to be he althy, it needs care and proper nutrition throughout its life. A few months after birth, animals are vaccinated against the most common diseases.

At any time of the year, even in winter, it is necessary to carry out a hygienic cleaning of the horse. In winter, the skin of the animal is wiped with a damp sponge; in summer, the horse can be poured with water from a hose. Every year it is necessary to carry out antiparasitic measures, give funds from worms, and engage in the removal of fleas.

And the stable itself should always be clean, dry and warm.The bedding needs to be changed regularly. It is advisable to disinfect the premises once a month. As disinfectants, caustic soda, milk of lime, and a solution containing chlorine are used. During disinfection, animals must be removed from the premises. At the end of the sanitization, the stable is washed with clean water and ventilated.