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  Discussion on Puncture at the Cornet Band
Author Message
New Member:
lexygirl

Posted on Sunday, Oct 7, 2007 - 5:17 pm:

Dr. My Horse Had a minor cut (or so I thought at her cornet band) because she walked through some iron wood, I cleaned and wrapped the wound each day and still the cut had some puss each morning. So I had a Vet come out, The vet Put her on Oral Antibiotics for 7 days, and had me clean and dress the wound, It got better daily, but somedays it would still have puss.
After 3 weeks it looked completely heeled, then she was rolling around in her round pen, and when I took her out I Noticed the Wound looked open again, I cleaned it out and found puss again and the wound looked blistered. This time I decided to drive to her to get it x-rayed and try a different vet, The wound was really bothering me, not her, just me, Well in the x-ray the vet found a wood sliver and a puncture in her cornet band, which explained why her body was not healing her, He sedated her and cleaned it out. Got out the splinter, and wrapped her up: His instructions for me were to give 3cc of Pen pro in a needless syringe and inject it daily into the hole where the puncture was, to work on any infection that may be in the hoof, from the sliver (for 10 days). And in addition he has me giving her 10 pills Isoniazid Daily in her feed. For 21 days. Well after two days her wound was healing great and the scab over the hole he made while digging out the splinter was tough, I called him and told him my mare was extremely sensitive where he had scraped and the would was healing with a strong scab, and he said just sort of jab the syringe into the hole and keep injecting the Pen One anyway, Well This is not as easy as it sounds being the area of the injury: rear right hoof, as well as the wound is getting a harder scab daily, which makes it more sensitive to her for me to break it and inject this Pen One. But I have twiched her lip and made it happen each day,.. Well Its been 5 days, since the vet took out the splinter, and I wanted your opinion on a few things. Is the Isonaiazid (Antibiotic) Strong enough to heal her from the inside out without constantly needed to insert the Pro One into her wound Daily? Or should I keep irritating the healing process, and keep re- opening the puncture and force the 3 ccs of pen one, down in there. She is not lame, She is not hot, nor does she have a fever. The vet also asked me to put a big slab of PVP iodine Ointment on her every day with a new vet wrap for 21 days. That seems excessive to me, Since I would think that wrapping it less would help the oxygen get to it and help her heal faster. Anyway I know Cornet band injuries are very slow to heal. And my horses health is more important to me than anything. When I called the vet today, to tell him how difficult she is being allowing me to re-puncture her wound to inject her Pen one, He said: Well ,Safety first, So don't use it anymore, just continue with the oral antibiotics. This bothered me, I ask is there any alternative? I would rather give her a shot everyday. or something. He said no, there are no alternatives. Anyway I am worried that forcing the entry into this puncture daily while its trying to heal is not helping, But I would rather do it than not, if it will kill the infection she may have in hoof. Do you have any ideas or feedback for me?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 6:36 am:

Welcome susan,
I disagree that coronet band injuries are slow to heal. This is one of the most vascular tissues of the skin and healing is usually very quick. Lack of improvment in lameness and puss may indicate that there are most splinters present.

Oxygen comes by way of the blood but it is very hard to keep wounds near the hoof clean without bandaging so is an important component of healing such sounds. For a description of how to evaluate these wounds, a safe way to treat it, the use of systemic antibiotics see, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Wounds / Burns » Coronary Band Injury.
DrO
New Member:
lexygirl

Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 12:13 pm:

Thank you Dr. O, And Yes there were splinters in the wound. The Vet has removed them, I have been treating as described in my original posting. My question to you is what do you think of the treatment my vet has prescribed?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 6:19 pm:

Without seeing your horse I really cannot pass judgement on the treatment susan, all I can do is educate you on how I take evaluate and care for wounds of this type. I personally think using a hose under pressure will work for the daily flushing and is easier to stay a safe distance away but this should be run by your vet for final approval.
DrO
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 9:58 pm:

Susan -- One of mine had a splinter in the coronet band that was overlooked until it became swollen. Fortunately, I was able to extract it on my own once I examined and discovered the problem. All I did was wash it daily and pour some Betadine solution in, without making any attempt to further probe or open the area, which closed up and healed quickly once the splinter was removed. I never wrapped it. As Dr. O said, this is an area that heals quickly if all the foreign objects are removed.
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