When Should You Call Your Veterinarian?

In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen shares his experiences and insights on recognizing equine emergencies, the life of an equine veterinarian, and the importance of telemedicine in equine care. Dr. Mortensen recounts a personal story about his horse, Buck, who came up lame one evening, prompting him to reflect on whether to call his veterinarian after hours. Through his narrative, he discusses a typical busy day in an equine vet's life, the challenges they face, and the reasons behind the declining number of equine veterinarians. He emphasizes the critical role of forming a relationship with your vet and knowing when and how to contact them in case of an emergency. In the podcast, Dr. Mortensen also provides guidance on assessing a horse's condition, what's considered an emergency, and the evolving field of telemedicine. The episode highlights the importance of understanding your horse's normal behavior and vital signs, being prepared for emergencies, and always expressing gratitude towards veterinarians. Podcast Timeline 00:00 A Veterinarian's Long Day: Insights and Experiences 04:24 The Challenges of Being an Equine Veterinarian 05:35 Understanding Equine Emergencies: When to Call Your Vet 06:33 Building a Relationship with Your Veterinarian 08:53 Evaluating Your Horse's Health: Behavior and Vital Signs 21:19 Identifying and Responding to Equine Emergencies 28:00 A Personal Story of Equine Care: The Case of Buck 29:05 Understanding Equine Emergencies: When to Call the Vet 30:40 Practical Tips for Handling Injured or Distressed Horses 32:59 Identifying and Responding to Equine Health Emergencies 34:33 Navigating Non-Emergency Equine Health Concerns 37:46 The Outcome for Buck and Lessons Learned 39:20 Exploring Telemedicine in Equine Care 46:05 Global Perspectives and Legalities of Equine Telemedicine 47:30 Emergency Preparedness: What to Have in Your Barn 51:05 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement   Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]