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Discussion on Care of facial wound
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Member:
Cfulmer
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004 - 1:46 am:
I have a mare who has a large gouge on her face just below her left eye. We presume she was hit by debris during a severe storm/tornado we had here. THe vet cleaned it up and we are using Vetrinary Dermal gel and Neosporine, alternately. Her eye was spared, thankfully, but it is just below there, so how should I handle cleaning this would? It is as if a man with large hands carved a place to put his thumb.
I can't get her to stand for the hose that close to her eye. I have been using a cold compress a few times a day to help the swelling. I'd like to minimize the scar if possible. Thanks.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004 - 7:25 am:
I would hot pack the wound for about 20 minutes daily Callie. Prepare a large bowel of slightly warm water with betadine added until it is very dark and 2 clean wash cloths. Take out the wash cloths, wring the excess water out and place it against the wound with as much pressure as is comfortable with the horse. The idea is to be sure the wound remains clean and open so that it continues to drain and heal inside out.
DrO
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Member:
Cfulmer
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004 - 1:22 pm:
Do I try and remove the slimy stuff that accumulates? Or let it stay in there? I know that removal is what would happen if I was hosing the wound, so should I stick with that model?
Thanks
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004 - 4:08 pm:
Callie - Would your mare tolerate squirting water (w/betadine) from a syringe? I did this once (needle removed of course) when my TB had a puncture at his jaw. He didn't like the hose near his head either. I used a large syringe and it worked well. You could start out with a trickle and work up to a more forceful flushing as she gets used to it. Even putting your palm over her eye to keep anything from splashing might make her accept it better. Just a thought...
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 23, 2004 - 6:27 am:
That is part of the reason for the hotpack: to loosen up the slimy stuff so it is easily removed.
DrO
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Member:
Cfulmer
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 10:42 am:
Just to update you on the outcome of all this 
I used a hot pack and then flushed the wound with a syringe and was able to get quite a bit of pressure with it.(Ann-great minds think alike!) I used a diluted betadine solution to flush. then I cold packed the wound for 20 minutes, to reduce the inflamation and make her less sensitive when I had to touch it. Per my vet I used something called "veternary dermal gel" which is availible OTC now as "skin renovator". She was also on SMZ's for 5 days. The wound has closed beautifully, and while she will have a scar, it won't nearly be what it could have been. We had no proud flesh formation at all. I was really impressed with the dermal gel and have already ordered a supply of skin renovator for all my future issues.
Thanks Dr. O!
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