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  Discussion on Wound protection
Author Message
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 7, 2004 - 11:19 pm:

Last week I was involved in helping care for a friends 6 week old colt that had cut his chest open on the fence. The vet had come out and tried to stitch it closed but he picked at it with his chin and popped most of the stitches. We took him to the vet clinic and the other vet trimmed the skin and stitched the flap down. We stood around at 1130pm trying to figure out how to protect the wound. The vet said "I wish we could put a vest on him or something" Off he went and came back with his old shirt that he uses to get firewood. His wife/assistant was more than pleased to see it go for a good cause. We modified it and removed the sleves and put it on him! Duct tape works wonders. The next day we found that he could work the sides up a bit so when we cut up the next shirt we left the sleves a little longer. Sonny has quite the warDrObe now! The wound is healing better and the flies cannot get at it. He struts around feeling pretty fancy:
at the vets
one stitch left before returning to the vet
new stitches with antibiotic cream
the shirt bandage
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 7, 2004 - 11:23 pm:

after new stitches with antibiotic cream
restitched with antibiotic cream running down the wound
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 7, 2004 - 11:25 pm:

sorry posted one picture twice - here is the before with one stitch left
Member:
Dres

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 7, 2004 - 11:41 pm:

we did the same thing with a chest wound, only i used a diaper under a pair of OLD ladie underwear to collect all the goop.. it was easy to clean and change...

Ann

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 8, 2004 - 7:36 am:

Great pictures guys. We have long used old sweaters for sick foals during the winter. Put the front legs through the arm holes and button it up down the back.
DrO
Member:
Skye

Posted on Thursday, Jul 8, 2004 - 8:45 am:

Ah, and in the cold climes we use down vests!
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Sunday, Jul 11, 2004 - 12:35 am:

Dr O here are the latest pictures of the wound - can you let me know what you think? They are having trouble reaching their vet - they are 70 km away up the lake and their vet apparently has been in surgery for the last two days and has not looked at the pictures yet,thanks.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 12, 2004 - 9:26 am:

The pictures look very good, the wound is well granulated in and free of purulent exudate. How is the horse moving?
DrO
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Monday, Jul 12, 2004 - 11:55 am:

He moves freely with no shortening of stride. Is the large part on the top of the wound nothing to worry about? Is it proud flesh? Will it shrink over time?
thanks
Janet
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 - 7:41 am:

With good care and no complications this flap will granulate down to the underlying tissue. I don't see any obvious proud flesh as all the granulation tissue is below the level of the surrounding skin.
DrO
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 1:36 am:

Here are the latest pictures of Sonny's wound:

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 9:31 am:

Thanks Janet. Would you outline the daily care of the wound?
DrO
Member:
Dres

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 9:31 am:

looks to be healing nicely.. you will be amazed, one day you will go out to treat it.. it will be sealed.. my little // big guy now, barely has a scare...

Ann
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Thursday, Jul 29, 2004 - 8:04 pm:

Here is an update on Sonny - the daily care has been hosing 10 min daily once and applying Hibitane and putting on a jacket - plus spraying with KRS once every 3-4 days. Now July 28/04 they are not watering anymore but continuing with the ointment and KRS and the jacket
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 6:45 am:

Most excellent Janet, The speed with which this wound has healed is excellent, great job. What is KRS? It does look like serious damage was done to the underlying muscle resulting in some necrosis / fibrosis of the pectorals and possibly shoulder a little bit. Are they making sure this little guy gets exercise that stretches this area to try and prevent gait abnormalities, for more see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Fibrotic or Ossifying Myopathy & Myositis.
DrO
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 9:32 am:

Thanks Dr. O. I am going up there in the next few weeks and will get the exact description of KRS - I know it is an insecticide used on cows and horses to prevent maggots in wounds. All the interior Ranchers swear by it and it is available in the interior of BC. Our local vet only had 1 can that she will lend out and was looking for a new supplier so I directed her to the 100 Mile Feed Store. I printed your article you refered to and will take it with me. I know he is not stalled and is a free range baby that is out all the time. They are on restricted pasture of about 7 acres by the house while he heals and they treat him. I am off for a few weeks and will post again when I get back.
thanks again
Janet
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 9:38 pm:

Update - here are a couple more pictures of Sonny - he is looking really great and all treatment has basically stopped. He is not wearing any more shirts and is out all day and in a paddock and shelter at night. He moves freely also. Still trying to get the information on KRS - sorry I forgot when I was up there.
Janet
Member:
Dres

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 10:07 pm:

he looks GREAT.. my little/ big guy now, picture above, you can hardly find a scar!~

Ann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004 - 6:49 am:

That does look great!
DrO
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