Healing Severe Wounds

[20dourmdd]

We are washing her wounds down twice a day...dressing them...leting her in the round pen to walk...antibiotics...bute...oats and grass hay...with the wounds being from the knees down, they are more serious because of the all the tendons, ligaments, ect., but she is getting as much care as we can do and afford. Thanks for the encouragement and the procedures that you have used.

Dave

[BJ]

We are washing her wounds down twice a day...dressing them...leting her in the round pen to walk...antibiotics...bute...oats and grass hay...with the wounds being from the knees down, they are more serious because of the all the tendons, ligaments, ect., but she is getting as much care as we can do and afford. Thanks for the encouragement and the procedures that you have used.

Dave

I just found this site, while looking for something to treat a fungal infection. Thought of your post.

It shows a pretty nasty wound being treated by this antimicrobial wash http://www.equineelite.com/relief.html (scroll down to Digger's Story) for the pictures of the wounds. Then, http://www.equineelite.com/digger.html (for the write-up on it).

BJ

[Marli]

Hi Dave,

The type of wounds your mare suffered are the same that I had with the gelding - open flesh down to tendons/ligaments, deep and nasty.

The cold water flushing along with antibacterial scrubbing (betadine/novalsan) to remove dead flesh and prevent infection are critical. And when I say cold hosing, not just the wound site, but as one of the others stated, the entire leg(s) from top to bottom. Time consuming, but necessary.

Wrapping her legs during this early stage is just to prevent infection from entering the wound sites - dust and dirt from a paddock along with flying insects pose an infection threat.

I would imagine that she is pretty much a hurting unit right now, that's okay as it will limit her activity on her own. Bute for swelling/pain along w/her antibiotic routine and continued dressing of her wounds *should* bring her through this. Continued prayers that she's a survivor and will muddle through these injuries along with your care.

[mini's mom]

not to make light of the injuries that your horses have suffered but I had a mare that severed the artery that goes to the foot - femoral (??spell) artery - what she did was roll over in an in & out shed type situation and banged her leg on the edge of the shed - fourtunately I got the vet out there asap (l5 minutes) and he put a pressure bandage on her - I could not get her to the surgical facility so we did the farm thing - and yes the smz's - 85.00 (valley veet charges about 35) - I had to change the dressing every day and it woudl not stop bleeding - finally I put some wound dust on it and then a bandage and then dry fronts over that - it took about a month to heal but it has - she has a little white spot where the injury occurred - and yes I had a horse trying to escape a aggressive mare and he jumped the panel gate and ended up slicing himself all to ribbons - that was a huge vet bill but he made it -

hope your horse gets better
mini's mom

[adrienne]

There is a vet named Dr. Jolly in Hot Springs, Arkansas that specializes in large lacerations like that.

I didn't believe in his methods and I was really really skeptical because it was different that what I had learned, but I saw it work.

We had a big gelding put his leg over the divider of a trailer. I didn't see it until 2 months post injury and I could put my fist in his leg then.

1 month later he was on my farm. There is a 4"x4" bald spot on his leg. That's it.

Here is the website of the products he uses:

http://www.belumedx.com/

That vet has a DVD on bandaging and support techniques. I can get you a phone number if you're interested.

~Adrienne

[syndeis]

I wasn't sure I should post to this since there has been some wonderful advice given already and the accident happened some days ago.

I wasn't sure the product was approved for animals either. I searched the internet and see the product is listed by the People for Emergency Preparedness Planning for Animals (P.E.P.P.A)(in case of disaster), contact: Lorelei Lamere, D.V.M. * P.O.Box 772751 * Eagle River, AK 99577.

6.) Basic first aid supplies (i.e., Silvadene cream, Betadine solution).

The product is silvadene. It is used on burn patients. If you have ever been burned you now that you don't want anything on you that stings. It is used for proud flesh areas and to help fight infections. It is a nice cooling cream when applied.

This can only be obtained by prescription so your Vet would be the only source.

Best wishes.

[20dourmdd]

syndeis,

Thanks for your input...I am calling the vet again tomorrow to see if we can get some of that silvadene...She is hanging in there and the swelling is going down...we make it bleed every time we wash it...it has to heal from the inside out, and if this creme will do the job, I am all for it.

Again Thanks for your concern!

Dave

[austique]

This article was just put out in Thoroughbred Times and mentions some good topical products. I hope your mare is doing well

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horsehealth/hhview.asp?recno=63717&subsec=

[20dourmdd]

austique,

I get the TB Times, but haven't read it yet. So far the mare hasn't got any secondary infections, and a lot of the superficial wounds have been healing very well. The swelling is down...she is turned out everyday in the round pen. We are pleased with the progress.

Thanks,
Dave

[Marli]

Dave,

That's a fantastic progress report! I'm very glad to hear she's doing well so far - whatever method of treatment you're doing, it sounds like it's working. Continued good luck!

Edited to add- Thanks to Austique for adding the link to the TB Times article. It mentioned the product I was referring to but couldn't remember the name - hyCure. At least now I know the name again as well as the healing properties of the powder.

http://www.hymed.com/hycureQA.htm

It's great stuff (but very costly).

[WarHorse]

WarHorse-

The information on Nystatin sure sounds like the topical powder that I used, but for the life of me I just can't remember the name! Is Nystatin a topical antibiotic that would be prescribed in equine use?

If this is supplied via veterinarian, I would say this just might be the one (and it's *very* costly!).

I think it's the same as Wonder Dust.

At Margaux, they had a teaser who tended to maul himself on the flanks. I would put a grazing muzzle on him and treat the wound with Wonder Dust. Weeks later, the wound was gone.

Amazing stuff.

Sorry for the late reply.

[klbash2000]

I remember that teaser! I assumed he was long gone by now after they'd changed satellite farms over the years. Glad to hear he's still around and getting cared for. I can't think of any other situation that'd put up with what he could do to himself.

[ragsdaj1]

I use a couple of products for dealing with more severe type wounds.

One is called Phenol Wound Treatment by Aloe Advantage. The new bottle I just picked up says its now part of a MATRIX three step process. Depending on how bad the area is you may or may not need step #1 Cleanse which is sprayed on the wound to clean the area. If the cut is bad like this incident water therapy is probably done so you can just apply Step #2 Treat which is the Phenol product. I buy these from www.valleyvet.com

The second product I use comes from Wal-Mart. Solarcaine makes a topical sunburn spray (not the original), comes in a green can and contains a topical pain relief ingrediate and aloe. I use this in between normal scheduled treatments for more serious wounds and it's also great for the little cuts and scraps that occur daily.

JonR

[WarHorse]

klbash2000:

+++I remember that teaser!+++

Dakota - the Standardbred teaser - was there in the mid-ninties, when I was there. I have no idea what's happened to him since. He was at the satellite near Midway, which was due to be plowed under, if I recall.

Carlotta Maria was kept there.

I was foaling/nightwatch in 1995-96. When were you there?

[Ziku]

Great information