⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Minor cuts & scrapes in horses, donkeys, goats and cows
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Shallow skin wound, little bleeding, animal comfortable and sound.
Call your vet now if you see
- Deep, gaping or longer than ~2 in
- Over a joint, tendon, coronet, udder or teat
- Puncture wound
- Bleeding not stopped after 10 min pressure
- Lame on that leg
- Tetanus vaccine not current
What you can do
- Restrain safely; wear gloves.
- Firm pressure with clean gauze until bleeding stops.
- Flush with clean water or saline at low pressure.
- Clean with dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine (weak-tea color).
- Thin layer of wound ointment; bandage legs if appropriate; fly-control around the wound.
- Check twice daily for heat, swelling, discharge or odor.
When to call the vet
Same day if stitches may be needed (within ~6–8 h) or any call-now sign.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Horse
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.0–101.5 °F | Over 102 °F or under 98 °F |
| Heart rate | 28–44 /min | Over 60 at rest |
| Respiration | 10–24 /min | Over 30 or labored |
| Gums / CRT | Moist pink, refill < 2 s | Pale, white, dark red, purple, tacky |
| Gut sounds | Gurgles both sides | Silent |
| Hydration | Skin pinch back in 1–2 s | Tents > 2–3 s |
Donkey
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 98.0–100.5 °F (37–38 °C) | Over 101.5 °F |
| Heart rate | 36–68 /min | Over 70 at rest |
| Respiration | 12–28 /min | Over 30 or labored |
| Gums / CRT | Moist pink, refill < 2 s | Pale, dark, tacky |
| Gut sounds | Present both sides | Silent |
| Behavior | Alert, eating | Dull or not eating = urgent (hyperlipemia risk) |
Goat
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 101.5–103.5 °F | Over 104 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 70–90 /min | Over 110 at rest |
| Respiration | 12–20 /min (higher in heat) | Open-mouth breathing |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min (left side) | None, or left side tight like a drum |
| FAMACHA (eyelid) | Red–pink (score 1–2) | Pale pink/white (4–5) = anemia |
| Manure | Firm pellets | Diarrhea, clumps, none |
Cow
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 100.4–102.8 °F | Over 103.5 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 48–84 /min (calves 100–120) | Over 100 at rest (adult) |
| Respiration | 26–50 /min | Labored, open-mouth, grunting |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min | None, or left side swollen |
| Cud chewing | Chews cud ~8 h/day | Stopped chewing cud |
| Hydration | Skin tent < 2 s; eyes not sunken | Sunken eyes, skin tents > 4 s |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Horse records · Donkey records · Goat records · Cattle records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other horse topics
- Hoof abscess
- Mild colic warning signs
- Thrush
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Laminitis (founder) warning signs
- Choke (esophageal obstruction)
- Mild cough / nasal discharge
- Scratches / mud fever
- Lameness / limping
- Puncture wound / nail in the foot
- Nosebleed
- Fever (high temperature)
- Diarrhea (adult horse)
- Not eating (off feed)
- Not drinking / dehydration
- Tying-up (muscle cramping)
- Leg swelling / stocking up
- Hives (raised bumps)
- Weight loss / poor condition
- Dental problems / quidding
- Foaling problems (dystocia)
- Retained placenta (after foaling)
- Newborn foal problems
- Stumbling / neurological signs
- Snake bite
- Toxic plant eaten
- Cast horse (stuck lying down)
- Lost shoe / hoof crack
- Tail rubbing
- Vaccine reaction
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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