Can you use a regular thermometer on a horse?

Any thermometer used for people can be used for a horse, but it's helpful to have one specifically designed to be used for livestock, because they come equipped with a string to attach to the horse's tail. This prevents the thermometer from dropping onto the ground, or from disappearing into the horse's rectum!

What kind of thermometer is best for horses?

Pavia Veterinary Thermometer. Fast Veterinary Thermometer Gives Accurate Temps in Only 6 Seconds. Beeps When Ready. Dogs, Cats, Horses, Pets and Livestock.

How can you tell if a horse has a temperature without a thermometer?

To estimate your horse's body temperature without use of a thermometer, use your finger to assess the temperature of the mucous membrane inside the lips, at the corner of the mouth. Compare your estimated reading with a thermometer reading twice on 10 different horses.

What is a normal temp for a horse?

An adult horse at rest should have a body temperature of 99 - 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above that level can indicate an active infection. The normal temperature range for a foal is 99.5 - 102.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is considered a fever in horses?

“An adult's normal temperature will range from 99 degrees to 101 degrees. Once you get over 101, for most horses, that would be a low-grade fever. For clinical studies, we often define fever as greater than 102 degrees. Foals will run a little higher than adult horses for the first several months of life.”

How to take a horse's temperature

Can you use a forehead thermometer on a horse?

However, it is invasive, dangerous and time consuming. Research has investigated the use of human non-contact thermometers on different animal species; however, various studies have shown controversial results. No human device has shown to be reliable for measuring horses' temperature.

Do horses get a fever with colic?

Along with the clinical signs of pawing, rolling and not wanting to eat, horses with colic will often times have an elevated heart rate due to abdominal pain. Horses suffering from colic rarely have a fever. So if your horse does have a fever (anything over 101.5 F. ) the colic is probably secondary to something else.

Does Bute reduce fever in horses?

NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (Bute), flunixin meglumine (Banamine) and firocoxib (Equioxx) are commonly used in equine patients to help relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and control fever.

Can you take a horse temperature with an infrared thermometer?

Abstract. Equine body temperature taken with a non-contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) does not correlate well with the equine body temperature taken with a digital rectal thermometer (DRT), when it comes to absolute temperatures.

What is the normal respiratory rate for a horse?

A normal respiratory rate for an adult horse is 8-15 breaths per minute (bpm). Respiration should consist of inhalation and exhalation, which should be of equal length. Heat, humidity, exercise, fever, and pain can cause increase in the respiratory rate.

How do you check a horse's respiratory rate?

This can be taken by looking at the abdomen/flank area of the horse to look at the rise and fall. An inhale followed by the exhale equals one breath. Similar to the heart rate, count the number of breaths for 15 seconds and multiply the amount by four to calculate the breaths per minute.

What should a horses pulse be?

We suggest a healthy range for a horse's pulse to be between 28-44 beats per minute and a respiratory rate of between 8-16 breaths per minute.

How do you check a horse's pulse?

In order to take your horse's heart rate, stand on the horse's left side. Place a stethoscope on the horse's chest, tucked just under the elbow. Count the number of full beats for 15 seconds, then multiply the number by 4. If a horse's heart rate is elevated at rest, an equine veterinarian should be consulted.

Why would a horse have a low temperature?

Summary. A low core body temperature is uncommon in adult horses but can result from shock, lying down in cold, wet and windy conditions, and is common after prolonged general anesthesia. It is a more common and important problem in foals because of their smaller size.

Do horses poop when they have colic?

These horses may distend in the belly, looking bigger and rounder than usual and they may or may not pass manure. However, be aware that a horse with severe and serious colic can still pass manure as the problem in the gut may be well forward of the rectum; the transit time from mouth to manure can be days.

What are the first signs of colic in a horse?

Will a horse with colic drink?

If a horse is colicky enough, it will likely be uninterested in eating or drinking. If dehydration is a concern, then the veterinarian will administer intravenous fluids as needed. Food and water should be withheld until a veterinarian advises otherwise and all signs of colic and pain have passed.

Can horses get Covid?

Amid the current COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, you might be wondering if your horse can be affected by this novel (new) coronavirus causing respiratory disease in humans, or can your horse infect you? The short answer is no. “Coronavirus” is the overarching name for a family of viruses.

Why does my horse feel hot?

That said, warm skin often does mean a warm horse. Horses that are exercising or have recently exercised have warm skin. Horses that have a fever usually have warm-feeling skin. This FAST FACT refers to a horse that feels warm overall.

How much water per day should you give your horse?

How much water does a horse consume in a day? The average horse will intake 5 to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. Just like humans, different horses crave or need different water amount intakes.

How cold can horses tolerate?

In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° and 59° F, depending on their hair coat.

Why is my horse breathing so hard?

Labored breathing can be a sign of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), or heaves. Know what to look for, as early treatment is the key to managing this chronic lung condition. Horse heaves is chronic and can threaten your horse's long-term health and performance.