Evaluation of a new full‐body animal rescue and transportation sling in horses: 181 horses (1998–2006)

Abstract

Objective -The goal of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Animal Rescue and Transportation Sling (ARTS) for emergency and clinical use in horses. Design -A retrospective study of the use of the ARTS in the hospital and field. Setting -The medical records of 158 horses referred to the Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, and 23 records from the Large Animal Rescue. Animals -The ARTS was used in 121 standing and 60 recumbent horses. Seventy-eight horses were sedated, 47 patients were under general anesthesia when the sling was applied and no sedation or anesthesia was required in 56 horses.Interventions and Main Results -The ARTS was applied in crane and helicopter rescue operations to stabilize horses that required lifting (n 5 41), during emergency transportation (n 5 24), to facilitate induction of general anesthesia (n 5 4) or recovery from general anesthesia (n 5 51). Additionally, the sling was used to immobilize horses with fractures (n 5 29), to reduce weight-bearing in horses with severe lameness (n 5 12), to support horses with disorders of the CNS (n 5 7), to help recumbent horses rise (n 5 9), and to provide support for horses after repair of large abdominal hernias (n 5 4). Acceptance of the ARTS by the horses was scored as excellent (n 5 153), good (n 5 19) and poor (n 5 6), and the sling was not tolerated in 3 horses. Only after longterm use (weeks) did the skin over certain pressure points become irritated, resulting in superficial pressure sores. Conclusions -The ARTS was reliable, safe, and easy to use. It proved to be ideal for a wide variety of emergencies.(J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2008; 18(6): 619-625)

Emergency care and transport of horses with limb fractures

“…Im Idealfall werden Pferde in einem speziell für Notfalltransporte eingerichteten Fahrzeug transportiert , von Salis et al 2008. Diese Fahrzeuge verfügen über besondere Einrichtungen, die einen optimalen Transport von Notfallpferden ermöglichen.…”

“…Diese Fahrzeuge verfügen über besondere Einrichtungen, die einen optimalen Transport von Notfallpferden ermöglichen. Ebenso existieren in verschiedenen Ländern Rettungsorganisationen, die über eine Ausbildung für den Transport von Unfallpferden verfügen und somit beste Voraussetzungen für den Transport von Frakturpferden besitzen (von Salis et al 2008). Die Ambulanzfahrzeuge verfügen auch über Seilwinden, verstellbare Seitenwände und Querstangen sowie über spezielle Entlastungsgeschirre (Abb.…”

Fractures of the patella

“…The animal rescue and transportation sling ( Fig ) is a practical and efficient method to prevent horses from lying down during the post‐operative period and allows the animals to walk around in the box, which increases case comfort and decreases the risk of complications such as laminitis (Fürst et al . ). Concerning the duration of sling support, we usually select a 3‐week period if the intention is to prevent wound dehiscence.…”

Management der Aufwachphase- mit oder ohne Hilfe?

“…For this reason several systems with lifting or weight neutralizing function mainly for recovery after fracture repair have been developed. These include sling systems in combination with hoists (Liechti et al 2003, Driessen 2005, Taylor et al 2005, Fürst et al 2008, tilt tables (Elmas et al 2007) and pool systems exploiting buoyancy of water (Sullivan et al 2002, Tidwell et al 2002.…”