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  Discussion on Colt impaled on fence post-Any Advice Appreciated
Author Message
New Member:
siouxsmi

Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 9:53 am:

Our 8 month old colt impaled his left armpit on a capped fence post early last Tuesday October 28th. The wound extended into his armpit past my husband's hand and wrist. It was quite clean without a lot of ripped tissue. We only had to trim off two large pieces of skin and left the gaping hole open for drainage. "Hank" is on BenzaPen every other day, 6-960mg SMZ tablets twice a day, and he gets hyDrO'd and lazer therapy daily. We initially had him on Banamine Paste 500# dose once a day. He is on NeighLox twice a day and NutraWound twice a day and sprayed topically with StressLine on his shoulder and Scarlet Oil on the Wound itself. Things were going great but two days ago cellulitis started over his shoulder and has since progressed over his left side to his rump and up his neck to his face and over his withers to his right shoulder. His temp has remained normal. His appetite is good as well. He is in a small turnout because he paces more and stresses in the stall. My husband is a veterinarian and has consulted a couple friends of his. We have heard many opinions, ie DMSO/Dex topically, EquiStim, etc. We have backed off any Banamine/NSaid to every other day. We are just worried about the cellulitis that has spread so rapidly in the last couple of days. He moves just fine, little stiff of course and not much, but bears weight and extends and places leg normally. Sorry for the long post but any advice or change in protocol recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 3, 2008 - 7:16 am:

Hello Sioux,
I am going to assume when you say cellulitis, you mean gas has insuffulated into the subcutaneous tissue and now their is crepitus a spongy crackling feeling, under the skin . The lack of fever, pain, and other signs of rapidly spreading infection that suggests to me that this is is not cellulitis but that the wound is "sucking" air like a one way valve. I have had several wounds over the years that did this inflating the skin in this manner. And yes it does seem like that you might see with severe clostridial infections except there is no rotten tissue or odor. In one instance the horse had a hole in the trachea (but not the skin) and the whole horse blew up like a balloon for about 4 days.

If this is true, my experience is that this is transient until the wound granulates in and once the wound quits sucking air the gas is absorbed and the horse no the worse for it. You could try packing the wound with betadine soaked 6 inch brown gauze. If this is not what you are dealing with describe the cellulitis your horse is experiencing.

As to care for the wound you should definately be flushing it well everyday but I cannot see an indication for a laser.
DrO
New Member:
siouxsmi

Posted on Monday, Nov 3, 2008 - 7:57 am:

Dr O, Thanks for the reply. The colt has swollen up like a toad frog this morning. Yes, it is subQ air with crepitus and the like. He seems more "stiff" on his right side now as the gas is spreading. Still no temp and eating. Due to scheduling and our unavailability for proper care this week, we have dedided to take him to Texas A&M this morning. Our concerns are trying to load him but as much air as he has over his whole body it surely can't get much worse. Thanks again for your time, Sioux
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