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Discussion on CUT ON ANKLE
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Member:
Kcovell
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Posted on Friday, Oct 22, 2004 - 6:58 am:
I need some advice on a cut my horse got sometime yesterday (10-21-04).
The cut is on the front of her ankle and the only way I can describe it is it looks like if you cut yourself with a knife. It is about 1" long and straight up and down on the ankle. When she rests her foot it opens so I'm not sure stiches would stay.
I cleaned it and put furican ointment on it. I also put on a bandage, but when I went out to feed this morning the bandage had slipped down and there was swelling above the bandage. I checked when I applied the bandage and it was not to tight or loose, I think where the cut is a bandage won't stay. Maybe someone can tell me if there is away to keep one on.
I can pull the sides open and it's about 1/2" deep.
Is the furican ointment the right thing to put on it? Is there anything else I can put on it that would be better?
How long after a cut happens can it be stitched?
I really don't think they would stay, but if I can get to the vet today after the farrier comes I'll probably take her.
Thanks
KC
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Member:
Kcovell
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Posted on Friday, Oct 22, 2004 - 8:12 pm:
Ok, I took my horse to the vet (not my regular vet he was out of town).
What he told me to do does not sound right, but here is what he said, put furican on the cut, wrap it and leave it wrapped for 2 days, take off the wrap and repeat the above until you see pus draining out of it.
After that happens don't wrap it anymore and it will heal up.
Maybe I'm wrong, but that sounds really out there.
Has anyone ever heard of doing this?
KC
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 12:21 am:
I'm sure it depends on the size, depth, and type of cut. But I have been told to cleanse the cut with a betadine wash, then cover it in Novasan ointment and wrap it for a couple of days, rewrap again for a couple of days, and repeat until the wound starts to heal.
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Member:
Kcovell
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 4:33 am:
Hey Sara
I can see doing that and that is what I was planning on doing, but I wanted to make sure stiches weren't needed. He told me they wouldn't have been, but then he came up with that off the wall stuff of waiting until I see pus and then leaving it unwrapped.
Of course this is the same vet (he was standing in for my vet) who came out when one of my horses was colicing (he was just starting to colic) and told me he didn't show any symptoms other than laying down, rolling, and looking at his side. He left that day without doing anything and I called him out again the next day (still same symptoms) and he gave him mineral oil. I don't know if you're ready for the rest, but here goes he told me to go somewhere and "pick a bushel of rye grass" to feed him.
He's been a vet for along time and alot of people go to him, but I think a doctor needs to examine him.
Thanks
KC
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 9:08 am:
Is he a large animal vet? We have some excellent vets in town for small animals, but they really aren't up on care for large animals.
If a wound is over 24 (or is it 48?) hrs. old it's too late to stitch it,and a lot of wounds heal better without stitching. Also, if a wound shows any sign of infection or if there's a possibility of contamination most vets won't want to stitch it. I think the biggest thing is to try and keep it clean. I've tried the method of just washing the wound out and debrading with water from the hose and they've healed up really good. The lower leg and foot areas are a bummer for keeping clean, especially if you've had a lot of rain and the consequent mud. One good thing about winter and snow is that if the horses get injured, the wounds seems a lot less prone to infection.
Good luck with this one! Always something if you have a horse.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 9:21 am:
KC, his advice would be acceptable, not great, if this is a not a full skin thickness wound. If full skin thickness, particualrly over the top of the joint, this would be unacceptable care. Infections in joints have been known to get started by migrating in from adjacent infection.
We have recommendations for caring for deeper wounds at Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Long Term Deep Wound Care. Since we cannot examine your horses wound however I cannot be sure if this is proper treatment or not, you should OK it with your vet.
DrO
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Member:
Kcovell
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 5:56 pm:
Dr. O
I think this is a full thickness wound and because of the location on her ankle I don't think it could be stiched, but I wanted to see what a "vet" said. I was not happy, to say the least when I found out my vet was away and I had to take her to him. He does deal in alot of large animals as well as small, but after the last advice I got from him about the colic I wouldn't do anything as off the wall as he said without checking around to see if anyone else has ever heard of this.
I'll read the deep wound care section and see what it says.
My vet won't be back until Tuesday and I'll also call him then.
Right now I've got it wrapped with furican on it because I let her out so it wouldn't swell up so bad. I also have her on 2gm. of bute.
Thanks to both you and Sara for sharing information with me.
If anyone can think of anything else please let me know.
This horse seems to know when I'm going to take her to a barrel race and does something to herself so I can't take her.
KC
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