Equine Emergency & Critical Care in Madison, Georgia & Beyond
Always Here when you need us.
Piedmont Equine’s veterinarians share on-call responsibility on a rotational basis during the week/weekends and on holidays. We pride ourselves on accessibility; if you call, we will answer. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year you will get a familiar voice. Whether you need emergency services or have an urgent question and need advice, we are here for you and your horse.
After-Hours & On-Call
With in-house bloodwork/labs and imaging technology, we can begin critical diagnostics and treatments at any time in the clinic and many also on an ambulatory basis.
The on-call veterinarian has a fully stocked vet truck and can assess and treat a great array of emergent problems in the field. For those cases that require further or more intensive management, we also have a clinic to facilitate that level of care. Whether your horse needs immediate attention in the field or comprehensive care at our clinic, we are committed to delivering prompt and effective emergency and critical care services.
Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Colic Overview
Colic is one of the most common emergency calls we receive. The on-call veterinarian is equipped to assess and treat colics in the field via physical exam, rectal exam, passage of a nasogastric tube, and preliminary bloodwork with our mobile unit. Should your horse require more intensive care than can be rendered at your farm, after hours management at the clinic is recommended where your horse can be intensively monitored, receive IV fluids and other medications, and more.


Colic Surgery
Certain types of colic may require surgical intervention to resolve the issue. Our team conducts thorough diagnostic tests to assess the severity of the condition and determine the need for surgery. If surgical intervention is deemed necessary, our surgeons and facilities are ready at a moment’s notice to provide the required treatment.
Esophageal Obstruction
In humans, “choke” is used to describe an airway obstruction; we can’t breathe, it’s a life-threatening emergency. In horses, fortunately, “choke” describes an esophageal obstruction. While they are not at risk of passing out or dying due to inability to breathe, it is an emergency because an esophageal obstruction puts them at great risk of a host of other problems: aspiration pneumonia, esophageal perforation, and more. Most chokes can be resolved on the farm with passage of a nasogastric tube and flushing the obstruction with fluids.


Laceration Repair & Wounds
Lacerations and wounds often require immediate attention and are a common reason for emergency calls. If owners are unsure whether an injury requires suturing, they can consult with the on-call veterinarian and provide photos or videos of the injury for evaluation. This allows for quick assessment and determination of the best course of action for proper wound management.
Neonatal Emergencies & Peripartum Emergencies
Once the water breaks, the fetus rapidly loses oxygen supply and the difference between a living neonatal foal and a severely compromised or deceased foal is a mere 20-30 minutes.
Mares also have a short window (~3hrs) to pass their placenta before they become susceptible to severe uterine infection and potentially fatal consequences.
Whether you are an experienced breeder/foal raiser or a first-time mare/foal owner, we recommend calling us when you think your mare is going into labor. If labor and delivery proceed normally and the foal is normal in the first few hours of life, we recommend doing a neonatal exam with an IgG test and a mare exam between 18-24 hours post foaling.
Other Common Emergencies
Musculoskeletal
Severe, acute lameness can arise from various causes, ranging from minor issues like a hoof bruise or subsolar abscess to more serious conditions such as cellulitis or fractures. Our team is equipped to identify the underlying cause of lameness and provide necessary care, including on-farm radiographs for thorough evaluation. Additionally, should the situation require more intensive treatment, our surgeon-on-call can be consulted.
Tying-up and episodes related to HYPP/PSSM often occur following exercise or stress, and their symptoms may resemble those of colic at first glance. Through meticulous evaluation and in-house bloodwork, we can determine whether your horse is experiencing musculoskeletal issues and treat them appropriately.
Ophthalmic
Corneal ulcers/scratches, uveitis, conjunctivitis, and this list goes on and on. Horses have the largest eyes of any land-dwelling mammal, and they are very susceptible to injury or disease. An ophthalmic issue is always considered a medical emergency. Refer to the Ophthalmology Section on our “Internal Medicine” page for more information.
Respiratory
Respiratory emergencies in equines can show as coughing, fevers, and other related symptoms. For further details on respiratory issues, please refer to the Respiratory Section on our “Internal Medicine” page.
Down horse
For a variety of problems, horses will often present as “down” without many other obvious signs or symptoms. Potential problems can include severe lameness/pain such as that with laminitis, cellulitis, or a fractured limb. Horses may also present as down for neurologic problems, colic, tying-up, weakness, etc.