24/7 Emergency Veterinary Service
CALL NOW: 303-791-4747
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303-791-4747
Fast-Track Emergency Response
We understand the critical nature of timely care in emergency situations. That’s why we’ve established a fast-track emergency response system, ensuring that our existing clients receive immediate and effective care when every moment counts. During work-ups, we utilize our in-house lab for immediate answers to help guide treatment decisions.
For Our Loyal Clients:
Being an established client with us means your horse’s medical history is at our fingertips, allowing for rapid, informed decision-making in emergencies. This seamless access is a key advantage of our wellness program, designed to keep your horse healthy and safe.
Welcoming New Emergencies:
Whether you’re coming to us through a referral or facing an urgent hospitalization need, you can trust our readiness to deliver exceptional care. Our clinic is fully prepared for a wide variety emergency scenarios, supported by a dedicated team committed to your horse’s well-being.
Recognizing an Emergency
Knowing what constitutes an emergency can save valuable time. Here’s a guide to recognizing situations that require immediate veterinary attention:
Dystocia: Difficulties in foaling, especially labor lasting more than 15–20 minutes or the appearance of anything other than two front feet and a muzzle.
Colic: Symptoms may include restlessness, pawing, circling, repeated lying down and getting up, looking at the abdomen, kicking at the abdomen, depression, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Respiratory Distress: Severe breathing difficulties, with horses appearing anxious and unwilling to eat or drink.
Wounds: Any puncture, wound, or laceration that penetrates through the skin or is actively bleeding.
Non-Weight Bearing Lameness: Any reluctance or resistance to move or any uncoordinated, wobbly gait.
Choke: Signs include food, saliva, or foam coming from the nose or mouth, especially after eating, along with an outstretched neck and straining to swallow.
Diarrhea: Abnormal consistency of manure persisting for more than 24 hours.
General Illness: Signs of sickness such as depression, lethargy, decreased appetite, or fever.
Down Horse: A horse that is unable to rise or is struggling to do so.
Eye Emergencies: Any discoloration/cloudiness, wounds, excessive tearing, squinting, discharge, swelling, or light sensitivity.
What to Do in an Emergency
Stay Calm: Your horse can sense your anxiety, so remaining calm will help keep them calm as well.
Ensure Safety: Move your horse to a safe, enclosed area if possible, and keep yourself safe while handling them.
Call Us Immediately: Contact Colorado Equine Clinic at (303) 791-4747 Our team is available 24/7 to assist you.
Send Photos: If possible, take clear photos of the injury or issue and send them to our main number. This helps us better assess the situation and prepare for your arrival.
Provide Details: Be ready to describe your horse’s symptoms, behavior, and any relevant history to help us prepare for your arrival or guide you through immediate steps.
Follow Instructions: Our team will provide guidance on how to stabilize your horse until help arrives or until you can bring them to our clinic.
Our Emergency Services
Colorado Equine Clinic is equipped to handle a wide range of equine emergencies, including:
Emergency wound management and repair
Trauma care for injuries and fractures
Emergency lameness evaluations
Neonatal and foal emergencies
Critical care and hospitalization
For colic cases, we provide comprehensive supportive care, including:
Overnight monitoring
IV fluids and electrolyte therapy
Pain management and medication
Diagnostic evaluations to assess the severity of the condition
While we do not perform colic surgeries at our facility, we will work closely with you to determine the best course of action and, if necessary, refer you to a surgical facility for advanced care.
After-Hours Emergencies
Emergencies don’t always happen during business hours, and neither do we. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency care for your horse.
Emergency Contact Number: (303) 791-4747
What to Expect When You Arrive
When you bring your horse to Colorado Equine Clinic for an emergency, our team will:
Perform a thorough evaluation to assess your horse’s condition.
Discuss treatment options and provide a clear plan of action.
Keep you informed every step of the way, ensuring you understand the care your horse is receiving.
Preparing for Emergencies
While we hope you never face an equine emergency, it’s always best to be prepared. Here are a few tips:
Keep our contact number saved in your phone: (303) 791-4747
Have a well-stocked equine first aid kit on hand.
Know your horse’s normal vital signs and behavior to quickly identify abnormalities.
Ensure your trailer is in good working condition in case you need to transport your horse.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our emergency services or need immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to call or text us. Please text any photos you can of the emergency.
Colorado Equine Clinic
9616 West Titan Road. Littleton CO, 80125
Office Phone: (303) 791-4747
Email: wellness@coequine.com
It is also abnormal if your horse has a decreased appetite (even for their favorite treats), decreased manure production, or signs of colic.
You know your horse best. Please use your judgment as well as these guidelines to determine when to call your veterinarian. For a comprehensive list of recommended First Aid to perform click here. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.
Please contact our main line (303) 791-4747 for any questions regarding emergencies. Our on-call vets will ensure that every horse receives the attention and treatment needed around the clock.
If you think your horse may be experiencing an emergency, call 303-791-4747 immediately.
If you do not reach a Colorado Equine Clinic veterinarian, continue calling every 15 minutes until you have spoken directly with a C.E.C. DVM.
After-hours calls are answered through our emergency call service, which will contact the on-call veterinarian.
If you are unsure whether your horse may be experiencing an emergency, call us. We would rather discuss a concern early than miss an urgent medical problem.
Common reasons owners contact our emergency service include:
• Colic
• Choke
• Eye injuries
• Significant wounds
• Acute lameness
• Sudden illness or unexpected changes in condition
Prompt veterinary evaluation is often recommended when these conditions are suspected.
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TIER 3: EMERGENCY SERVICE ELIGIBILITY
EXISTING CLIENTS
Colorado Equine Clinic's emergency service is primarily intended to support established clients and patients.
Because emergencies often require access to medical history, previous diagnostics, medications, and ongoing care plans, established patients typically receive the most efficient and effective emergency care.
If you are not currently a Colorado Equine Clinic client, emergency service availability may be limited. Depending on location, case circumstances, and veterinarian availability, we may recommend another emergency provider better positioned to assist you.
NEW CLIENTS
New clients may be asked to provide additional information before an emergency visit can be scheduled.
A deposit will be required prior to veterinarian dispatch.
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TIER 4: WHAT WE MAY ASK WHEN YOU CALL
To help us assess the situation and prepare appropriately, please be prepared to provide:
When was your horse last known to be normal?
Exactly when was the problem first noticed?
Is the condition improving, worsening, or unchanged?
What is your horse doing right now?
What symptoms are you observing?
Have any medications or treatments already been administered?
Has your horse experienced similar problems previously?
What is the horse's current location?
Who is physically present with the horse?
These questions help our veterinarians determine urgency, prepare equipment and medications, and provide guidance before arrival.
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TIER 5: AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY VISITS
A responsible adult must be physically present with the horse and available to meet the emergency veterinarian upon arrival.
If the horse owner is unavailable, please be prepared to provide the name and contact information of the individual who will be present and authorized to make treatment decisions.
We may require a digitally signed consent-to-care form if the horse owner is unable to be present.
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TIER 6: INFORMATION THAT MAY BE HELPFUL TO GATHER
While awaiting veterinary guidance, it may be helpful to collect:
• Heart rate
• Respiratory rate
• Rectal temperature
• Mucous membrane color
• Capillary refill time
• Appetite and water intake
• Manure and urination observations
• Ability and willingness to walk
• Photographs or video of the problem when safe to obtain
This information may assist the veterinarian in assessing your horse's condition.
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TIER 7: CONDITION-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
Colic
Prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended if your horse is:
• Pawing
• Repeatedly lying down and getting up
• Rolling
• Looking at the flank
• Refusing feed
• Showing signs of abdominal discomfort
Wounds
Prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended for:
• Deep wounds
• Puncture wounds
• Significant bleeding
• Wounds near joints, tendons, or tendon sheaths
• Injuries where underlying structures may be involved
Choke
Prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended if your horse is:
• Coughing feed material from the nostrils
• Drooling excessively
• Unable to swallow normally
• Showing signs of distress while eating
Eye Injuries
Prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended if you observe:
• Excessive tearing
• Squinting or holding the eye partially closed
• Cloudiness
• Swelling
• Discharge
• Trauma to or around the eye
Eye injuries can worsen rapidly and should not be ignored.
Acute Lameness
Prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended for:
• Sudden severe lameness
• Inability to bear weight
• Marked swelling
• Suspected fractures
• Sudden onset of significant pain
For any condition not listed above, if you are concerned, call us.