Triage

Literally means “to sort” – in this practice you are gaining information by looking at the patient and seeing what their needs are.

• If it is more than one you are gaining insight on who needs attention first.
• Looking at any obvious externally wounds/etc. Musculoskeletal/ Respiratory/ cardiovascular- perfusion times etc. you gain most of this information in seconds. And it's important to always think ahead.
• One thing to note that with animals, the main difference in assessing a patient (animal) is that we have the option of humane euthanasia- unlike our counterpart humans. It's very important to keep that in mind. This should ALWAYS be done by a professional as your very first option to ensure that the animal is treated in a humane way. If you are unsure about anything, please contact a vet.
• Vet client relationship- important!

Common injuries seen on homestead

• Wound/puncture/scrape
• Bumblefoot
• Frostbite
• Abscess
• Bloat/colic
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Heat stroke
• Hot spots
• Eye injury
• General lameness/gait assessment

First aid kit for goat/sheep/chicken/duck/horse/cow

• Bandage supplies- gauze, vet wrap (coban) , bandage tape
• Gloves
• Thermometer
• Vaseline
• lube
• Chlorahexadine
• Iodine
• Needles/syringes
• Epsom salt
• Tweezers
• Electrolytes
• Red top tubes
• Scissors
• Drench gun
• OTC meds- Benadryl/famotidine/Pepcid/vitamin C /LA200/penicillin
• Heat lamp
• Bloat release
• Bloodstop powder
• Stethoscope- all animals
• Wire cutters
• Clean bucket- I like metal
• Hair blow dryer
• Cold pack
• Pocket knife
• linament
• Flashlight
• Pen and paper
• Banamine
• Drawing Salve
• VetRx
• Ophthalmic Ointments

Resources

Backyard Poultry Medicine & Surgery

Horseman’s Veterinary Encyclopedia

First Aid for Horses