What to Include in a Livestock First Aid Kit

Injuries to livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and goats tend to be inevitable and can occur in numerous ways that might be difficult to predict. Illnesses and birthing are also instances wherein immediate care may need to be rendered. It is essential to have emergency plans in place along with a well-stocked and readily available first aid kit to address critical emergencies efficiently. This publication will assist livestock producers, managers, and owners in selecting and organizing supplies for potential emergencies that may occur among different livestock species.

Introduction

It is difficult to anticipate every type of emergency scenario for livestock, which may vary by species. However, some scenarios are more likely to occur. Abdominal pain (colic), trauma, lacerations, and acutely ill foals are frequent scenarios for horses.¹ Situations that most bovine veterinarians encounter for cattle include bloat, down cow, dystocia, uterine prolapse, and the down neonate.² Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, are in danger of musculoskeletal disease from fractures, wildlife attacks, fence injuries, and infectious or degenerative diseases.³ For pigs, common injuries are muscle tearing, leg fractures, wounds from interaction with other pigs, and shoulder ulcers.⁴

Access to and organization of first aid kits are essential to immediate, efficient, and proper care. Kits should always be clearly labeled and stored in dry, easily accessed locations. Everyone caring for the livestock should know the kit location(s).

• Use one large container, and try to group supplies in separate smaller containers or bags, especially if they might be used together.
• Set reminders to check and replace supplies with expiration dates.
• Include copies of medical information and records and a list of phone numbers for emergency contacts (e.g., veterinarian, local trusted producer, manager, or owner of similar livestock).
• Consider compiling additional mobile kits to store in trailers that haul livestock and in vehicles used for pasture checks.

First Aid Kit Supplies

Some items in the list below are specific to different livestock species, although most are basic supplies for any kit. It is beneficial to talk with a veterinarian about first aid supplies that might be relevant to specific livestock species and consider any individual livestock needs or health issues. Consult with a veterinarian about recommendations for the brand or type of items in the list noted with an *.

Wound Care

• 4×4 gauze dressings and sponges (clean wounds, control bleeding)
• Antibacterial ointment (prevent infection)*
• Bottled sterile saline (wound cleansing, irrigation)
• Bulb syringe (use with saline for wound cleansing, irrigation)
• Clippers or small scissors (remove hair around wounds)
• Fly repellant/ointment (protect wounds from flies)
• Self-adhering wrap (control bleeding, secure underlying dressing)
• Small disposable diapers or rolled cotton (serve as waterproof, temporary bandages for hooves)

Regarding wound cleaning, research indicates saline is the least toxic to healing tissue.⁵ Surgical scrub agents can be damaging to tissue and delay healing, and hydrogen peroxide can increase the incidence of infection.^5,6

Tools

• Bloat trocar (emergency relief for bloating)*
• Heavy-duty scissors (to cut bandages, gauze, or other material)
• Hoof pick
• Large flashlight and penlight with extra batteries
• Wire cutters (to free an animal caught in wire)
• Tweezers and needle-nose pliers

Medicinal

• Antibiotic eye ointment*
• Epsom salt
• Frothy bloat treatment (treat bloating)*
• Syringes of several sizes and lengths to accommodate different medications and methods of administration

Vitals Measurement

• Stethoscope
• Thermometer (and petroleum jelly for lubricant)
• List of average livestock vitals signs (table 1)

Miscellaneous

• Crate(s) to separate or secure smaller animals
• Duct tape
• Gloves (latex, ob sleeves for birthing situations, and work gloves
• Halter and lead rope (to restrain an injured or scared animal)
• Hand sanitizer
• Instant cold packs (prevent swelling)
• Safety goggles or glasses
• Water soluble ointment
• Waterproof notepad and pens (to record vitals and other notes)

Vital Signs

Include a list of normal livestock vital signs in a first aid kit—including normal respiration rate, heart rate, and temperature—to assess and monitor an animal’s level of distress. It is also common practice for veterinarians to ask for the animal’s vital signs when they receive a call for emergency assistance. Table 1 presents ranges for normal vital signs in various livestock species. However, situational aspects, such as environmental temperature and an animal’s age and activity levels, can affect the values.

Table 1. Normal vital signs ranges for different livestock species.⁷

Sources: *Adapted from Robertshaw D. Temperature Regulation and Thermal Environment. In: Reece WO. Dukes’ Physiology of Domestic Animals. 12^th ed. 2004. Cornell University Press. ^†Adapted from Reece WO. Respiration in Mammals. In: Reece WO. Dukes’ Physiology of Domestic Animals. 12^th ed. 2004. ^‡Adapted from Detweiler DK, Erickson HH. Regulation of the Heart. In: Reece WO. Dukes’ Physiology of Domestic Animals. 12^th ed. 2004.

Conclusion

The primary objective in a livestock emergency is to implement a plan of action that will provide appropriate care for the animal. Being prepared can help alleviate a stressful situation for an animal and those caring for it. A well-stocked and easily accessible first aid kit with supplies applicable to specific types of livestock is vital to an emergency plan. It is a good idea to check the kit regularly to assess supplies, especially if there are items with expiration dates. Including instruments in the kit that record vital signs will help evaluate the animal’s level of distress. Additionally, moving injured animals—if possible—to a safe location away from other animals can make it easier to monitor or provide treatment and reduce the risk of an animal further injuring itself or creating an additional emergency involving other livestock and people.

References Cited

1. Munsterman AS. Equine Emergency Medicine. Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc. Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual; 2024 [reviewed 2019 Jul; accessed 2024 May]. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/emergency-medicine-and-critical-care/equine-emergency-medicine/equine-emergency-medicine.
2. Jones M. Top 5 bovine emergencies-solved!. In: Gingrich II KF. Proceedings of the Fifth Recent Graduate Conference, American Association of Bovine Practitioners; 2022 Feb 19; New Orleans, Louisiana. Ashland (OH): Association of Bovine Practitioners. p. 14–17. doi:10.21423/aabppro20228505.
3. Muir A. Common emergency and musculoskeletal repairs in the small ruminant. In: Gingrich II KF, Wren J. Proceedings of the Fifty-Fifth Annual Conference, American Association of Bovine Practitioners; 2022 Sep 22–24; Long Beach, California. Ashland (OH): Association of Bovine Practitioners. Vol. 55, No. 2. p. 151–153. doi:10.21423/aabppro20228634.
4. F Ison SH, Clutton RE, Di Giminiani P, Rutherford KM. A review of pain assessment in pigs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2016 Nov 28;3:108. doi:10.3389/fvets.2016.00108.
5. Debebe N, Gelaye A, Fesseha H. Open wound in equine and its management-review. CPQ Medicine. 2020;10(3). https://www.cientperiodique.com/article/CPQME-10-3-266.pdf.
6. Aisa J,  Parlier M. Local wound management: a review of modern techniques and products. Vet Dermatology. 2022;33:463–478. doi:10.1111/vde.13104.
7. Fielder SE. Reference Guides. Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc. Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual; 2024 [updated 2022 Sep; accessed 2024 May]. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-subjects/reference-guides.