Bloat, Toxicities, Lacerations, Wounds

Bloat, Toxicities, Lacerations and Wounds in Lincoln, AR

Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where we provide wound care and treat lame, injured and sick animals for large animal owners in Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Summers, and everywhere in between.

Understanding Bloat, Toxicities, Lacerations and Wounds

Some large animal problems can’t wait. Bloat, poisoning and serious wounds can go from worrying to life-threatening quickly, and getting a veterinarian involved early often makes a real difference in how an animal recovers.

Bloat happens when gas builds up in the rumen of cattle, sheep or goats faster than the animal can release it. Toxicities can come from poisonous plants, moldy or contaminated feed, chemicals and other hazards around the farm. Lacerations and puncture wounds from fences, equipment and other animals are common, especially in horses.

If you have an emergency with your animal, and do not have a scheduled farm call, please call us and we will try to accommodate you if possible.

What to Expect When Your Animal Needs Urgent Care

Knowing what to do in the first few minutes helps keep you and your animal safe. Here’s what to expect:

Call First

Call us as soon as you notice a problem. We’ll ask about the animal, what you’re seeing and how long it’s been going on, then let you know the next step, whether that’s a farm call or bringing the animal to our fully-equipped on-site large animal facility.

While You Wait

Keep yourself safe first, since animals in pain can kick, strike or crush. If you can do so safely, move animals away from any suspected poison and save a sample of it, keep a bloated animal on its feet, and hold gentle pressure on a bleeding wound with a clean cloth. Don’t give medications unless we tell you to.

Treatment

Care depends on what we find. Wounds may need cleaning, repair and bandaging, and we’ll explain the plan for your animal.

Follow-Up

Many wounds need follow-up visits to heal well. We’ll go over what to watch for at home and when to bring the animal back.

Know When to Call Right Away

Quick action can make a real difference for horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Call us right away if you notice any of these signs:

• Signs of bloat: A swollen left side, discomfort or labored breathing in cattle, sheep or goats
• Possible poisoning: Sudden drooling, trembling, staggering, seizures or collapse
• Down animals: An animal that is down and can’t get up
• Serious wounds: A wound that is bleeding heavily, is deep or gaping, or is near a joint, tendon or eye
• Punctures: A puncture wound, which can look small but go deep
• Lameness: Sudden severe lameness or an animal that won’t bear weight on a leg
• Herd-wide illness: Several animals sick at once, or an animal found dead without warning

Any wound is also a good reminder to check that your horse’s tetanus vaccination is current. Our team cares for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and other farm animals. Learn more about our food animal and equine medicine and herd healthcare, or see everything we offer on our large animal services page.