castle-docs/content/animals/emergency.md

---
title: Animal Emergency
description: Emergency procedures and vet contacts for alpacas, horses, chickens, and ducks
tags:
  - emergency
  - animals
  - veterinary
---

# Animal Emergency

> [!important] On duty?
> If you're holding an animal-care shift, you're the calm responder when something needs attention. See [[index#animal-care-roles|Animal Care Roles]] for how shifts are delegated.

> [!tip] Our care philosophy
> We tend toward **natural care first** — herbs, minerals, clean environment, and prevention. Antibiotics, pharmaceutical dewormers, and vaccinations are used only when **absolutely necessary** (e.g. genuine emergency, no natural option working). See [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] for daily/weekly practices. **In a true emergency this still means: call the vet.** Don't delay over philosophy.

> [!danger] Call a vet immediately for any of these
> - Severe bleeding that won't stop
> - Difficulty breathing / open-mouth breathing
> - Suspected fracture, severe lameness, can't stand
> - Severe colic (rolling, thrashing, kicking belly)
> - Animal isolated from herd + unresponsive
> - Choke (food/object stuck, drooling, distress)
> - Predator attack — even if no visible injury (shock kills)

## Vet Contacts

> [!important] Try in this order
>
> | Vet | Phone | Notes |
> |-----|-------|-------|
> | **Élodie Vétérinaire** | **06 77 74 83 67** | Primary local vet |
> | **Clinique Vétérinaire Saintenac (Varilhes)** | **05 61 67 43 36** | Clinic, regular hours |
> | **Vétérinaire du Chat Perché** (Saint-Girons) | **05 61 66 01 66** | Previous vet (Emilie Gusse) — has all alpaca history |

## When You Call the Vet

Have ready:
- **Which animal** (Onyx/Onu, Flocon/Floco, Sapphire/Sapphi, the horses, the LGDs — see the [[index|animal pages]])
- **Symptoms** (specific, when they started)
- **Vital signs** if known (heart rate, temperature, gum color)
- **What changed** (new feed, weather, predator activity)
- **The chateau address:** Rue Grand Rue de Bellissen, Bénac, 09000 Foix

## Quick Symptom Reference

> [!warning] Camelids (alpacas) hide illness
> Alpacas are prey animals — they mask symptoms until very serious. **If something seems off, act on it.**

### 🚨 Call vet now

| Symptom | Possible Cause |
|---------|---------------|
| Not eating 24+ hrs | Colic, severe illness |
| No manure output | Colic, blockage |
| Lying down + getting up repeatedly | Colic |
| Kicking at belly, hunched/stretched posture | Colic |
| Bloated/tight abdomen | Colic, bloat |
| Self-isolating from herd | Severe illness |
| Gums pale, purple, or very red | Shock, circulation issue |
| Heart rate ≥ 60 bpm (horse) and rising | Severe colic |
| Stargazing, head tilt, unsteady gait (alpaca) | Neurological — emergency |
| Open-mouth breathing (poultry) | Severe respiratory distress |
| Comb/wattle blue or purple (chicken) | Oxygen / circulation crisis |
| Limp, cold feet/bill (duck) | Shock |
| Predator attack (any) | Shock — even with no visible wound |

### ⚠️ Watch closely / call if not improving

| Symptom | Action |
|---------|--------|
| Reduced appetite | Monitor 12-24 hrs, call if no change |
| Reduced manure | Isolate to monitor output |
| Mild lameness | Rest, check hoof/leg, call vet if persists |
| Wound (small, clean) | Clean with antiseptic, monitor |
| Ruffled feathers + lethargy | Isolate, monitor, call if worsens |

## First Aid Before the Vet Arrives

### General

1. **Stay calm.** Approach slowly so you don't add stress.
2. **Move others away** if possible — calm herd, secure the patient.
3. **Bleeding** — apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth.
4. **Don't give medication** unless the vet has told you to.
5. **Note the time** symptoms started.

### Colic (alpaca/horse)

- **Remove all food.**
- **Water is OK** unless the vet says otherwise.
- **Short, calm walking** can help with mild gas pain — stop if pain worsens.
- **Do not give Banamine, sedatives, or any drug** without vet approval (masks symptoms).

### Wounds

1. Stop bleeding with direct pressure.
2. Once bleeding controlled, rinse with clean water or saline.
3. Apply antiseptic from the [[first-aid-kit|first aid kit]].
4. Cover lightly with non-stick dressing.
5. Keep flies off — wound spray or covering.

### Predator attack

- Even if no visible injury, animal can die of shock — **call vet**.
- Keep animal warm and quiet, away from predator/threat.
- Do not chase off other herd members — they reduce stress.

### Choke (food/object stuck)

- Remove all food and water.
- Keep the head low if possible (helps drainage).
- Don't try to push obstruction down — call vet.

### Heat / cold stress

- **Heat:** shade, water, hose down legs/belly (not back).
- **Cold:** dry shelter, blankets if soaked, hot water bottles for poultry chicks.

## First Aid Kit

The **VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit** is in: *TBD — set location*.

Latex-free gloves are stocked. See [[first-aid-kit|Animal First Aid Kit]] for full contents.

## After Hours

- If your vet doesn't answer, **try the next number on the list**.
- For horses specifically, the **Cleveland-style rule** applies: when in doubt, call. Waiting too long with colic is fatal.
- Document everything — photos and timestamps help the vet enormously.

## Related

- [[alpacas|Alpaca care]]
- [[horses|Horse care]]
- [[poultry|Chicken & duck care]]
- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]]
- [[../emergency/medical|Human Medical Emergency]]