Equine Emergency Veterinary Care
When your horse needs you, you need a vet you can count on.
When something is wrong with your horse, knowing who to call matters.
Equine emergencies are unfortunately a reality of horse ownership. Colic, choke, serious lacerations, traumatic injuries, and foaling complications can happen suddenly, and when they do, timely veterinary care can make all the difference.
At Bartley Equine Veterinary Services, emergency care is an important part of the relationship we build with our established clients. We believe that providing comprehensive equine care means being there not only for routine wellness and reproductive management, but also when the unexpected happens.
Once you’ve established a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), 24/7 emergency services are available.
Emergency Care When You Need It
Not every equine veterinary practice offers emergency services. Providing emergency care requires a significant commitment from the veterinarian and the practice, including being available outside normal business hours and ready to respond when a horse needs help.
At BEVS, we believe that commitment is part of what it means to be your horse's veterinarian.
When you establish a relationship with our practice for your horse's routine care, you aren't simply choosing a veterinarian for scheduled appointments. You're gaining a veterinary partner who knows your horse and can be there when an urgent situation arises.
Our emergency services are available for both farm calls and haul-in care, depending on the circumstances.
Establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR)
Emergency care is more than simply having a veterinarian available after hours.
When you already have an established relationship with BEVS, we know your horse's history, health status, medications, reproductive history, and previous veterinary concerns. That familiarity can be valuable when making decisions quickly.
Your routine veterinarian is also already familiar with your horse's normal behavior and baseline health, which can help when something suddenly changes.
That's why we believe emergency care should be part of comprehensive equine veterinary care.
The veterinarian who knows your horse should be there when your horse needs you most.
Haul-In Care
Whenever practical, hauling your horse to the clinic is our preferred option.
A clinic setting gives us access to equipment and resources that may not be available on the farm. At the clinic, we can provide treatments such as IV fluids, monitor your horse closely, and continue care overnight when needed.
Our clinic is also equipped with cameras that allow us to monitor hospitalized horses remotely, providing an additional level of observation while your horse is in our care.
There can also be a financial advantage to haul-in care because you avoid the additional cost of a farm call.
Most importantly, having your horse in the clinic allows us to provide a higher level of continuous monitoring and treatment when the situation calls for it.
Emergency farm calls
We understand that hauling a horse isn't always possible.
Whether your horse is unable to travel safely, an injury makes trailering impractical, or another circumstance prevents you from coming to the clinic, BEVS also provides emergency farm calls when appropriate.
We'll evaluate the situation and determine the safest and most appropriate way to care for your horse.
What Is an Equine Emergency?
Horses have an unfortunate talent for finding trouble. Colic, choke, lacerations, traumatic injuries, and other emergencies can develop with little warning.
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your horse is experiencing:
Signs of colic or significant abdominal pain
Difficulty breathing or severe respiratory distress
Choke or difficulty swallowing
Severe bleeding
Deep or extensive wounds
Suspected fractures or major injuries
Eye injuries or sudden changes in the eye
Severe lameness or inability to bear weight
Neurologic abnormalities
Difficulty foaling or an abnormal foaling presentation
A mare or foal showing signs of significant illness
Sudden collapse, weakness, or severe distress
Any condition that causes you to be seriously concerned about your horse's immediate health
If something seems wrong with your horse, don't wait for the situation to become obvious. Call BEVS and let us help you determine the appropriate next step.
Emergency care is what sets BEVS apart.
Your horse's veterinary care shouldn't stop when regular office hours end.
At Bartley Equine Veterinary Services, emergency care is one of the ways we support our established clients through the full spectrum of horse ownership. From preventive care and breeding management to unexpected injuries and emergencies, we're committed to providing experienced, accessible equine veterinary care when you need it.
Offering emergency services requires a significant commitment from any veterinary practice. It means being available when others are home for the evening, keeping the phone nearby, and being prepared to respond when an emergency call comes in. We make that commitment because we believe it matters to the horse owners who trust us with their animals.
When you choose BEVS for your horse's ongoing care, you gain a veterinary partner who is committed to being there when it matters.
Concerned about your horse? Give us a call at 859-801-0487!
Emergency services are available to established BEVS clients. If your horse requires care beyond what BEVS can safely provide, we will help coordinate appropriate referral or emergency care.