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.
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