Emergency Services

Abington Equine Hospital is proud to offer emergency equine veterinary services 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We provide emergency care within a 45 minute radius of our clinic, as well as haul-in emergency care.

Emergency Services

The veterinary staff at Abington Equine Hospital are well versed in a wide variety of caring for equine emergencies. Our veterinarian's advanced training has prepared them to manage situations including, but not limited to:

Severe (non-weight bearing) Lameness

Colic/Abdominal Pain

Lacerations and Wounds

Eye Injuries

Choke

Dystocia (difficult birth)

Though we do travel up to 45 minutes from our clinic for emergencies, we ask that our clients be prepared to haul into the clinic for supportive care - there is only so much we can do on the farm, and can be better equipped to help your horse at our clinic. Hauling your horse into our clinic can also allow for quicker surgical intervention if it becomes necessary.

What to tell your vet in an Emergency?

The best way to help your veterinarian assess your horse's emergency is to give them as much information about the situation as you can. Some helpful information you can give your vet when you call is:

Age

Breed

Sex

Symptoms

How long the symptoms have been going on

Any medication or treatment you may have given and at what time

When to call the vet?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you are having a horse emergency, or when you should get in contact with your vet. Some symptoms to look out for that warrant a vet visit include:

Signs of Colic

Inappetence
Pawing
Kicking/Biting at Belly
Laying Down/Rolling
Decreased Manure Output

Signs of Choke

Significant Nasal Discharge with Feed Material in it
Coughing
Bulge in Neck

Neurologic Symptoms

Head tilt
Circling one direction
Ataxia (weakness/wobbling while walking)
Inability or difficulty standing

Painful Eye

Swollen eyelid
Squinting
Tearing/Discharge
Cloudiness
Sensitivity to light

Fever (Temperature greater than 101.5°F)

Increased Respiration (greater than 16bpm)

Increased Heart Rate (greater than 40bpm)

Significant Lameness

Large Wounds or Significant Trauma

Nose Bleeds

Please call if you are unsure if you have an emergency; our veterinarians will be able to help you determine what care the horse needs, and how quickly they may need to be seen.

Emergency Surgery

Abington Equine Hospital has state of the art surgical suites designed for both routine procedures and emergency surgeries. Our surgeon, Dr. Catherine Radtke, has extensive training in surgical intervention.

One of the most common threats to horses is colic; sometimes it can be managed medically, but other times surgery is necessary to resolve the issue. Abington Equine Hospital can provide your horse with surgical treatment of colic, to keep your horse happy and healthy.

Have more questions?

156 Abington Lane
Port Matilda, PA 16870