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The Vet Check
Arthur B. King DVM, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
GUIDELINES FOR PERFORMING THE VET CHECK ON YOUR HORSE | |||
| Parameter | Normal | Caution | Danger |
| Eyes | bright, clear | glassy | fixed stare, sunken eyeball |
| Mucous Membranes | pink, moist | pale, tacky | dry, purple, blue |
| Capillary Refill | 0-1 seconds | 2-3 seconds | 4+ seconds |
| Jugular Refill | 1-2 seconds | 2-3 seconds | 4+ seconds |
| Skin Pinch | 0-1.5 seconds | 2-3 seconds | 4+ seconds |
| Heart Rate (after strenuous exercise) | <64 in 10 minutes | 64 in 10-30 minutes | >64 in 30 minutes |
| Gut Sounds | normal | reduced/increased | absent |
| Respiratory Rate | relaxed/regular | panting/inversion | laboured/abnormal |
| Joints/legs | no heat/no swelling | heat/swelling | heat/swelling/pain |
| Wounds/Saddle/ Girth | no visible marks | heat/swelling | painful/raw/bleeding |
| Muscles/Back | relaxed | tight/ tender | very tight/painful |
| Anal Tone | tight | slightly loose | anus/penis relaxed |
| Rectal Temperature | <38.6EC pre-ride <39.6EC during ride | 39.5E-40.5EC during ride | >40.5EC |
| Impulsion | free, willing, animated stride | stumbling, short strided, unwilling | stiff, very reluctant |
| Attitude | bright, eating, drinking | depressed, lethargic | dull, disinterested, lack of thirst, appetite, urine, or feces |
| Gait | no abnormal gait | slight gait change, inconsistent | consistent gait change, non-weight bearing |
© 2002 Arthur B. King DVM
