Many horses are involved in accidents, fires and other situations where they cannot help themselves to either move or escape from a potentially life-threatening situation. Additionally disasters affect horses and their wellbeing. All horses involved in such incidents are likely to require veterinary attention. These guidelines are primarily directed to all emergency services, private animal organizations, registered animal charities and governmental agencies within the State of California, that are likely to be called upon to deal, assist or have responsibilities for dealing with an incident involving a horse, pony or donkey. This Protocol should be used to design operational procedures, lines of communication and procedures, and training programs for emergency services personnel and veterinarians.
The emergency services protocol provides a means for helping horses in an emergency and facilitates bringing trained help to the scene for the health and well-being of the horse.
The Protocol will set a State of California standard with procedural guidelines, for all those involved with large animal rescue. The aim is to minimize delays in injured animals receiving veterinary care and create a team approach to situations where one person or one group cannot optimally provide what is needed for an effective rescue and treatment of a horse. The protocol is not intended to replace the normal veterinary client patient relationship in normal every day emergencies. This protocol is for road accidents and specialized rescue situations.
The goal is to provide a training system for fire departments and animal control and a separate training system for equine veterinarians. Once a county has demonstrated they have a critical mass of registered emergency responders and veterinarians they will be integrated into the 911 system and become members of the protocol.
The Veterinarian...
The emergency call to a veterinarian regarding a horse in a road accident or trapped in a ditch or water is often a difficult and challenging call for the individual veterinarian. The veterinarian immediately begins to think of what might be needed, equipment wise, and how seriously injured the animal or animals may be. Upon arrival the scene is often chaotic and who is in charge can be difficult to ascertain. Specialized items such as a skid, straps, lifting equipment etc may be needed. The response becomes a concern of safety for those trying to assist as well as the well-being of the trapped horse.
The protocol is intended to provide a clear chain of command. The veterinarian upon arrival will know his or her duties and what those of the emergency services responders are. Equipment needed will be at the scene and a plan of approaching the situation made and prompt, appropriate, safe care will be provided to the horse.
Many times an owner of a horse may also be injured in the accident or be away. The fund allows a response from the private veterinary sector with assurance of compensation for time and medicines in delivering urgently needed emergency care.
The Emergency Respond...
This protocol is essential because horses in distress are in imminent threat to their life and well-being. Members of the public and emergency responders are put at risk if these incidents are not coordinated and handled appropriately. The protocol will enable correct training for emergency responders and ensure that an animal is treated in the best possible way while insuring safety of fire department responders, the public and with consideration for the welfare of the horse.
The key decision making stages include:
At all stages preservation of human live and prevention of injury to members of the public and the attending Emergency Service personnel involved must take precedence.
If a horse is reported to be injured or thought to be injured at ANY of the above stages, then an equine veterinary from the Equine Emergency Services register must be summoned unless a veterinarian competent in equine care is already in attendance or en route.
The Equine Emergency Services Veterinarian from the Equine Emergency Services Register will stabilize an injured animal with immediate first aid or if necessary humanely destroy a severely injured animal.
The absence of animal's owner MUST NOT preclude the immediate attendance of a veterinarian.
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