Animal Emergency
On duty?
If you’re holding an animal-care shift, you’re the calm responder when something needs attention. See Animal Care Roles for how shifts are delegated.
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 & Preventative Care for daily/weekly practices. In a true emergency this still means: call the vet. Don’t delay over philosophy.
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
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 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
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
- Stay calm. Approach slowly so you don’t add stress.
- Move others away if possible — calm herd, secure the patient.
- Bleeding — apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth.
- Don’t give medication unless the vet has told you to.
- 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
- Stop bleeding with direct pressure.
- Once bleeding controlled, rinse with clean water or saline.
- Apply antiseptic from the first aid kit.
- Cover lightly with non-stick dressing.
- 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 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.