EQUINE | SAEVA News
rected intent! And all this before safely facing down
and coaxing the 500 kg patient who does not want to
be examined or injected by the vet…..
Dogs will often react as a pack and the trigger for the
attack is not known as in the case with Rissa. The dogs
attacked her at the gate and not at her car (where her
own dogs – in the car for self-protection- were wait-
ing). Although this severe incident is an isolated oc-
currence, all large animal vets should take heed and
exercise care when arriving for farm calls as the danger
to you and your helper may not be your grumpy patient
but the pack of dogs guarding the property. I would
urge all vets and other animal health care providers
(farriers, physios, dentists etc) to request owners to lock
10
dogs up when yards and farms are being visited. It is
advised to note these farms in the practice database as
‘proceed with caution on arrival’ and all new vets and
other health care workers visiting the farm should be
advised.
Rissa was discharged after 3 weeks in hospital and is still
recovering from her severe injuries sustained and is not
able to return to work just yet.
References
1. BEVA Equine vets have the highest injury risk of all civilian pro-
fessions (July 2016) https://www.beva.org.uk/.
2. Greeen,C. & Goldsteine, E Bite wound Infections August 2016, Ve-
terian Key, Chapter 51, https://veteriankey.com/bite-wound-infections
• Equine Health Update •