| 1. Cutting the end of a syringe
case. 2. A syringe case with the end cut off, ready to be used to keep a horse’s nostril open. |
snake bite | bee/wasp stings | fly and other insect bites | blister beetles
Introduction: Snakebites in horses are not extremely common; however, when they do occur, they can be life-threatening for the horse. Rattlesnake bites are the most common, though water moccasin, copperhead, and corral snakebites also occur. They may occur because a horse is curiously exploring in the field or when it is on a trail ride. Horses are such large animals that the dose of venom released into the body by the snake usually is not enough to be lethal for the horse. Location and type of venom do, however, determine the severity of the bite. Fatalities due to snakebites usually occur when the bite is on the muzzle, neck, or head. This is because the bites cause swelling in these areas that can close off the horse’s airway. Snakebites do cause serious pain, massive swelling, and long-lasting tissue damage or lameness and should therefore be taken serious even if non-fatal. A snake-bitten horse may also develop osteomyelitis (a bone infection) or gangrene if the wound is not cared for properly.
Identifying a Snake Bite
Identifying snakebites can be difficult because hair, blood, and swelling
often prevent an owner from immediately locating the fang marks; however, with
careful inspection and possibly even clipping the area, most bite wounds can be
identified. There is usually not much swelling with bites on the legs, and yet
with a bite to the face, significant swelling can occur. Bites on the face
generally begin to swell rapidly, and these horses are often easy to identify
because they look and act miserable. Often their nose and lips will be swollen
and their eyes may be swollen shut as well. The swelling may even extend as far
as the ears.
Treating a Snake Bite
If a horse is bitten by a snake, it is extremely important for everyone
involved to remain calm. Because increased blood flow will cause the poison to
be spread throughout the body more quickly, it is also critical to keep the
horse calm. For the same reason, it is important to move the horse as little as
possible. If taking the horse to a nearby trailer or stall, ensure that the
horse walks slowly to keep their heart rate slow and steady. If possible,
without placing oneself or the horse at further risk of being bitten, determine
what type of snake did the biting. This will help the veterinarian determine the
correct antivenin, if necessary. Though most people tend to assume the snake
that bit their horse was poisonous, minimal swelling and bleeding around the
affected area usually indicates that the snake was not poisonous.
If the bite wound is on a leg, the horse should be taken into a cool creek where the leg can be soaked or, if at home, cold water from a hose be sprayed on the leg. This will help constrict the blood flowing out of the area and the spread of the venom.
A wide band, such as a handkerchief or shirt, should be placed about two inches above the bite. The band should be tight enough to restrict the veins and lymph tissues draining into the area, but not tight enough to stop arterial flow to the area. The band should be released for about a minute every 15 minutes to reduce the risk of tissue damage. The cold water soaks and the constricting band should only be used long enough for professional help to arrive. In addition, the horse should be treated with an antibiotic like penicillin to help prevent infection.
If the horse is bitten on the face, there is a great potential that the rapid swelling will cause the nostrils to swell shut. In order to prevent the horse’s nostrils from swelling shut, insert a five or six-inch piece of garden hose or similar tubing (which should be standard in first aid kits or trail riding equipment) into each nostril. A 20-35 cc empty syringe case can be used instead of the hose. The very end of each syringe case will need to be cut to create a hollow tube (see picture below). Lubricate the hose pieces and insert one into each nostril. The hose should be taped into place using a non-agitating tape. Be careful to not tape over the openings of the hose pieces. As the swelling continues, the tape can often be removed because the nostrils sometimes swell enough to hold the tubing in place. Then, as the swelling goes down, the pieces of hose will fall out on their own. Severe cases may require a veterinarian to perform a tracheotomy (cutting or making a hole in the trachea) to allow the horse to breathe.
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Always have a snake-bitten horse examined by veterinarian, even if the bite is not life threatening and does not seem very serious. Veterinarians can provide antivenin as well as antibiotics to help prevent infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be administered to reduce tissue swelling. A tetanus booster may also be in order.
Prevention: The best prevention for snakebites is to avoid the areas where snakes can be found. When possible, check grassy or rocky areas before tying a horse there. When riding, make some noise so snakes can hear your approach and have a chance to slither away. Snakes generally want to be left alone and will not attack unless they feel threatened. If there is a snake in the way, wait for it to move or gently move it out of the way with a long object.
Precautions
Do not cut the horse over the bite wounds and try to suck or drain the venom.
This will often do more harm and potentially lead to additional infection.
Because it has been shown to do further damage, do not apply ice or heat to the
affected area. Do not apply a tourniquet to a horse.
Additional Bites From Wild Animals
Other Stings and Bites:
If a horse gets severely stung, remove the stinger, if present, and hose the area with cold water as soon as possible. Products such as banamine and antihistamines or steroids are often given to help reduce the swelling and inflammation. Ideally, a veterinarian should be consulted before any drugs are administered; however, medication can be given if a veterinarian is not available and it is essential that the horse be treated. In most cases, the horse will be fine and the welts from the stings should be gone within a day or so.
Tabanids
Tabanids include deer flies as well as several varieties of horse flies. Deer
flies are small, yellow-orange flies with dark body markings. Horse flies vary
greatly in size, color, and markings, but are generally large and dark in body.
Horse and deer flies are biting flies that cause painful bites on horses. Only
the females of these flies feed on blood and they do so every three to four
days. Due to the loss of blood that occurs when a horse is bitten by this
variety of fly, nodules on the skin may appear. The pain caused by these kinds
of bites can make a horse become restless and unmanageable as it tries to find
relief from the flies. Frequent use of repellents may help to reduce the
occurrence of deer fly and horse fly bites. (See Section C for more information
on parasite repellants).
Black Flies
Black flies or ear gnats, are small hump-backed biting flies that feed on the
blood inside the ear, along the neck and chest, inside thighs, and along the
underside of the horse. They usually feed every three to five days. They are
common throughout the United States, especially near streams or other running
water. Bites from these flies can cause serious health problems, itching, and
irritation that will often make horses unmanageable. Severe reactions such as
toxemia and anaphylactic shock (both can be fatal) may also be a result of black
fly bites. Frequent or repeated bites may develop into bloody scabs. Stabling
horses during daylight, the peak hours of black fly feeding, may help reduce the
occurrence of these bites. Use of repellents may also prove helpful.
Biting Midges (See page E770)
Biting midges, also known as sandflies, can cause significant blood loss and
irritation due to their regular feeding on the horse’s blood. These midges
prefer swamp areas or areas with high humidity. The bites from these midges can
cause an allergic reaction known as culicoides hypersensitivity or "sweet itch."
These insects usually inflict their painful, itching bites along the base of the
tail, main, and withers. Horses may be driven to rub affected areas until their
skin is exposed and begins to bleed. Directly treating horses through the use of
wipes or sprays containing insecticides or repellents can prove beneficial in
preventing the bites from these insects (See Section C for more information on
repellents and sprays).
Horn Flies
Horn flies are small, biting flies that usually affect cattle, but can be
found on horses that are pastured near or with cattle. These flies feed between
20 to 30 times per day and are usually found on the abdominal sections of
horses. These flies stay with the host night and day, feeding almost
continually. Repeated bites from these flies can cause crusty, ulcerated
lesions. The best method for preventing these types of bites is to separate
horses and cattle. Frequently applying repellents in the form of sprays and/or
wipes may also be helpful. Applying corticosteroids-antibiotic creams to the
affected areas can lessen inflammation caused by bites.
House Flies, Stable Flies, and Face Flies
Although house flies, stable flies, and face flies are all responsible for
the transmission of potentially harmful diseases, only the bites of stable flies
cause significant blood loss. Stable flies will typically feed on the legs and
underbellies of the horses. They can feed more than once a day and are typically
most active in the early morning and late afternoon. House flies and face flies
feed on the secretion found around the horse’s eyes and are mainly an annoyance
to the horse. Facemasks may help reduce irritation around the horse’s face and
eyes, while the application of insecticides or repellents to the horse’s legs
and abdomen may reduce the frequency of stable fly bites.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are undoubtedly the most prevalent kind of blood sucking insects.
Their bites have great potential to transmit many viral diseases in horses such
as encephalitis (sleeping sickness). West Nile virus and many other common
viruses are also transmitted and spread by mosquitoes. The most effective way to
prevent annoyance and disease spread by these insects is to manage all water
near or around the horses. This includes draining standing water and draining
water troughs to help destroy mosquito breeding grounds. The use of barn sprays
and repellents that are applied to individual horses can also help reduce the
occurrence of these bites.
Blister Beetles
Blister beetles are hazardous to horses because of the toxin they produce.
This toxin, also known as cantharidin, can cause irritation to the skin and, if
ingested, can cause hemorrhaging, severe illness, or even death in horses.
Because blister beetles like to feed on alfalfa and other plants commonly found
in hay fields, most blister beetles are ingested by a horse when the horse eats.
Horses that have ingested all or part of a blister beetle will show signs of
colic, will have small amounts of blood tinged urine, and will possibly have
muscle tremors. If blister beetle poisoning is suspected, a veterinarian should
be consulted immediately.