The Role of an RVN/SVN at Towcester Equine Vets

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) and student nurses play a vital role in providing your horse or pony with outstanding care at Towcester Equine Vets. Whilst they are instrumental in caring for our hospitalised patients at the clinic and assisting our vets on the road, they are also able to use their valuable knowledge of patient care to provide several veterinary services. With this being said, you may start to see them out and about on visits to your yard.

RVNs spend 3-4 years training, either whilst working as Student Veterinary Nurse (SVNs) or on a placement year from University during their degree.

Here at Towcester Equine Vets, we have a range of experienced nurses who are either fully qualified or currently studying towards their exams.

Each member plays a vital role in the care of patients both in and out of the clinic.

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, registered nurses are permitted to carry out many roles within the clinic and out on visits such as:

• Bandage changes following injury or surgery
• Suture removal
• Post operative home care such as help with administering medication and offering help and advice with box rest.
• Taking blood samples on the request of a vet.
• Taking samples such as hair plucks and skin scrapes.
• Medication administration at the request of a vet such as intravenous antibiotics or sedation when required g. clipping, dentists, farrier, travelling.
• Taking radiographs at the request of a vet. This can be following a lameness investigation, acquiring images for the farrier for remedial shoeing or laminitis. Whilst the nurses can take the images, they are unable to make a diagnosis, a vet in charge of the case will see these later on in the day.
• Laser and shockwave therapy, which would have been recommended by the vet beforehand.
• Nursing clinics covering various areas:
  • Biosecurity advice and assessments
  • EMS and weight clinics
  • Equipment demonstrations.

A student vet nurse would be able to do all the above in clinic under the supervision of a Veterinary Surgeon.

A Vet Technician assists a vet directly with any procedures in clinic and out on the road, they do not work independently like a RVN would.

All the nurses have different roles within the equine team, and these roles reflect their individual strengths and areas of interest: 

Chloe Goddard RVN PgCertAVN (Clinical Lead) – theatre and intensive care

Georgina Moses (Logistical Lead) – managing equipment & organising the nurses’ diary. Breeding services including artificial insemination, semen collections.

Emma Chapple-Hyam RVN – lameness and poor performance exams including riding assessment if needed. Laboratory work.

Becky Price SVN – inpatient care, lameness and poor performance exams including riding assessment if needed.

Kelle King – lameness and poor performance exams including riding assessment if needed.

Charlie Coyle BSc (Hons) MSc MNAVP – Veterinary physiotherapist, especially DSP surgery and rehabilitation.

Otti Riganti – assistant to Vet Andy Hayes

It is important to note that the nurses are unable to carry out certain procedures such as:

• Appointments where a diagnosis is required
• Microchipping and passport certification
• Dentistry
• Medicating joints
• Vaccinations (due to the need to be certified by a vet)

The role of the ambulatory Equine Nurse (RVN) is very different to that of the Equine Veterinary Surgeon. Equine nurses are not able to make a diagnosis, however they are able to obtain the vital information such as samples, radiographs, and assessments that in turn provide our vets with the information that they need to support our patients as well as advising, teaching and supporting owners through their horses’ conditions.

If you would like to speak with any of our equine nurses please contact our team.

Author Emma Chapple-Hyam RVN

Veterinary Surgeon Holly discusses Mud Fever

Veterinary Surgeon Holly Gimmler, discusses the symptoms of Mud Fever (Pastern Dermatitis), how to treat it and importantly how to prevent it.

Mud Fever also referred to as Pastern Dermatitis, is a common non-contagious skin condition which typically affects the lower limbs of horses following exposure to wet, muddy conditions. Horses can suffer in summer but as the name suggests, it is more common during the winter months.  Mud Fever occurs where a breach in the skin allows bacteria to enter, causing a painful flare up. Cuts or mite damage to the skin may also exacerbate the onset of the condition allowing the bacterial infection to establish. Mud Fever can be extremely frustrating to treat and action is required quickly to get things under control.

If you are a horse owner then learning how to prevent or identify and treat Mud Fever early, will save you time and stress. It will also save affected horses considerable discomfort.

Identifying the symptoms of Mud Fever

Mud fever is commonly seen at the back of the pastern, between the hoof and fetlock, but some scabs may spread higher up the legs. Unpigmented skin on white legs is more susceptible. Typically, affected areas appear as crusty scabs, areas of matted hair or loss of hair, with raw skin underneath. In severe stages there may be a cream-yellow discharge oozing from the area. This can develop into heat and swelling in the lower limb which may be painful.

Mud fever can also occur on other areas of the body where it is called “Rain Scald”.

Treatment of Mud Fever

What can you do if you think your horse has Mud Fever? Well, there are a number of actions you can take before deciding if you need to call our equine vets. Firstly, bring your horse out of wet, muddy or dirty conditions. Clean the affected area daily and keep it dry. If your horse has feathers, these can be clipped to reduce wet contact time on the skin.

If your horse is suffering from more severe lesions, please contact our equine vets for further advice. They may prescribe:

• A gentle shampoo
• A steroid based cream which is applied to the skin
• If mites or fungal infection are implicated, we can treat either or both
• Pain relief and anti-inflammatories
• In complicated cases, your vet may take a swab for culture and sensitivity in order to select the appropriate course of antibiotics

How to prevent Mud Fever

• Limit the amount of time spent standing in wet conditions or mud. This may involve rotating pasture or stabling your horse to avoid muddy exposure
• Reduce the risk of pastern injury where possible e.g., overreach boots
• Barrier creams can be helpful
• Always dry your horse’s legs

Most of all, please do inspect your horse’s legs daily to identify problems. This is by far the best way to save you all a lot of time, stress and discomfort.

For more information or if you have any concerns regarding the management of pastern dermatitis, please call one of our equine vet team.

About the author

Holly Gimmler BVSc MRCVS has been at Towcester Equine Vets since July 2021 after graduating from the University of Liverpool. She enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary work, you may meet her working with the team at the Paulerspury clinic near Towcester or out on the road. Holly particularly enjoys lameness investigations and medical cases.

Holly is a very active person and a talented long distance runner, she is often accompanied on her daily travels by her gorgeous Saluki named Figgy.

Colic, a cause for concern!

Colic is one of the most common equine emergencies we see at Towcester Equine Vets. It is not a disease, rather colic describes general abdominal pain and discomfort. There are many ‘types’ of colic, which means there are a lot of disease processes (and changes that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract) that cause abdominal pain. Any horse displaying signs of colic is a cause for concern. We recommended that you contact your vet if you suspect colic, as early recognition and treatment is the key to successfully dealing with the condition.

What are the signs of colic in horses?

The signs a horse can exhibit when experiencing abdominal pain are broad. To help owners remember how to recognise key signs exhibited by a horse when they have colic, the British Horse Society created the REACT mnemonic:

A couple of things that are worth bearing in mind are that:

1. Not all horses will display all the signs listed above.
2. The severity of colic signs can depend on the individual horse and the severity of the disease process; levels of pain do not always correlate with level of severity.

How do I reduce the risk of colic?

Colic can occur year-round in both stabled horses and those out at grass. Although the causes are often unknown, there are a few key risk factors that can contribute to the onset of colic. Therefore, there are some simple steps that all owners can take to help reduce the risk of a colic episode.

Feed and water intake

• A horse’s diet should mostly be composed of forage, such as hay or grass. Horses are hindgut fermenters so feeding forage is essential to maintain a healthy gut and normal gut motility.
• Introduce feed changes slowly. A horse’s gastrointestinal tract is home to millions of bacteria; introducing new feeds or new feeding routines slowly allows these “good” bacteria a chance to adapt.
• Ensure your horse has access to a constant supply of clean fresh drinking water. This is especially important during winter when water supplies can freeze over, so check your water supplies and remove any ice twice daily.
• Ensure your horse is not turned out onto sandy surfaces to graze. Ingested sand particles can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, causing abrasion and discomfort.
• Do not feed unsoaked sugar beet or mash like feeds which expand with water. If these are fed unsoaked they can form a dry ball of solid material in the gut, which can lead to impactions.

Routine healthcare

• Maintain a worming protocol. A high parasite burden can cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract. We recommend using faecal worm egg counts to monitor your horse’s parasite burden and using the appropriate wormer when needed.
• Regular dental check-ups ensure that your horse can chew properly. Inability to fully chew food can lead to horses swallowing larger portions of feed and increases the risk of impaction colic.

 Seasonal changes

• Abundant growth of lush grass in spring and autumn can lead to horses consuming large quantities quickly. This undergoes rapid fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to gassy or spasmodic colic episodes. Restricted grazing is recommended during these times to prevent horses from gorging on fresh grass.
• In the winter, the colder weather impacts a horse’s access to forage and fresh water, as water sources may freeze, and grazing may be sparse. Ensure supplementary forage and fresh water is always available.
• In the winter, many horses’ routines change too; they go from being out at pasture to stabled. Make sure this management change is made gradually, as sudden box rest increases the risk of impactions due to less movement and reduced moisture in forage compared to grazing. Daily exercise can help reduce the risk of impactions and soaking the forage initially can also help the gut acclimatise from grass to hay or haylage.

What to do if you think your horse is colicing

If your horse is showing any signs of colic, it is best to get them checked over by a vet. The vet will likely ask you questions about your horse and their demeanour. So, prepare to answer the following:

• Has your horse passed any droppings?
• Is your horse trying to get down and roll?
• Has your horse had any recent changes in management?
• Has your horse had any previous episodes of colic?

When you’re organising a vet visit, it can also be useful to give the vet directions, a what3words or significant landmarks to help them get to you and your horse in a timely manner.

Preparing for your vet visit

If your horse is showing signs of severe pain, such as rolling, it is best to put them in a safe and secure area, such as stable or arena, with all feed removed whilst awaiting the vet. It is not advisable to try and stop them rolling as when they are in pain, they will not be conscious of their surroundings and therefore your safety will be at risk. Although it can be distressing to witness as an owner, a horse will not make their colic “worse” or twist their gut by rolling.

If safe to do so walking the horse can help to settle the horse prior to the visit.

Diagnosing and treating colic

Colic diagnosis will include an examination of your horse to assess heart rate, gut noise and hydration status. Rectal palpations provide information on the cause of the colic to allow for specific targeted treatment. Sometimes, a sample of peritoneal fluid (the fluid surrounding the intestines), is obtained to help give information on the health status of the horse’s guts.

Treatment normally includes painkillers, anti-spasmodics and possibly a sedative. Horses suffering with impactions or dehydration may be administered oral fluids via stomach tubing. Some colic conditions require exercise, hospitalisation or surgery. The vet will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment options available for your horse.

It is sensible to have a plan in place as to how your horse would be transported in an emergency, including telephone numbers of horse transporters if required. Discussions about whether colic surgery and referral are an option for your horse are far better done in advance so in an emergency, clear decisions can be made quickly when time is of the essence; if your horse is stabled on a livery yard, it is also prudent to share these plans with the yard owner.

In Summary

In most cases, colic is seen as an emergency and a vet will come to assess your horse as soon as they can. Learning & using the REACT checklist is important as it will help in early recognition, treatment and sometimes referral.  Don’t forget, a prompt veterinary assessment can make all the difference in ensuring the best possible outcome for a horse suffering from colic as it allows your vet to make good, early decisions.

Written by Veterinary Surgeons Abi Jennings & Danielle Bowles

Tying up (Azoturia)

What is ‘tying up’?

‘Tying up’ also known as Azoturia is a term for a horse suffering from muscle damage. This condition is cramping of the muscles usually in the hindlimbs or back which occurs when muscles are not properly oxygenated.

What causes ‘tying up’?

There are many causes of ‘tying up’ which vary depending on your horse’s fitness and current level of work. Causes can include:

• Increase in workload.
• Demanding exercise in an unfit horse.
• Returning to high-level work straight after 1+ days’ rest.

What are the signs of ‘tying up’?

Signs of ‘tying up’ include:

• Firm, painful muscles usually in the gluteal, hamstring or back area.
• Reluctance to move.
• Sweating
• Increased breathing (respiratory) rate.
• Colic
• Dark/orange-brown urine.

How is ‘tying up’ diagnosed?

‘Tying up’ is diagnosed based on history, clinical signs and a blood sample. Muscle enzymes and kidney parameters are checked on bloods to diagnose the disease, guide treatment options and monitor response to treatment.

How is ‘tying up’ treated?

If you are out riding when your horse ‘ties up’ then arrange for your horse to be collected on a trailer or lorry and contact the vet. Avoid moving your horse further than absolutely necessary to prevent further muscle damage.

While waiting for your vet steps you can take to help include:

• Keeping your horse stabled in a quiet environment.
• Providing plenty of water.
• If you have salt/electrolytes these can also be given in a separate bucket of water (always provide plain water at the same time).

Veterinary treatment that is provided depends on severity of disease. This will often include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Fluids either oral or intravenous.
• ACP (to calm fractious horses).

For recurrent episodes of ‘tying up’ or horses that do not respond to initial treatment further investigations may be required to check for an underlying muscle disease such as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).

How can I reduce the risk of my horse ‘tying up’?

‘Tying up’ can be prevented by:

• Feeding a high fat, low carbohydrate diet.
• Slowly re-introducing work after time off.
• Slowly increasing demand when increasing your horses’ fitness level.
• Vitamin E and selenium supplements can be useful in some horses but advice from your vet should be taken before supplementing to prevent overdosing.

Danielle Bowles BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS MRCVS