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Discussion on Full skin thickness wound on the back
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Member:
lizzotp
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2010 - 12:07 am:
Seems I live at the end of the world, where no Vets are available after 5pm, Monday to Friday. Anyhow, my mare somehow got a deep cut on her back (full skin thickness) and I couldn't get a vet to stitch it up. I have been cold-hosing it twice daily and applying hibitane antibiotic cream to the wound - but the horse was in so much pain for the first few days, that I couldn't use any water-pressure to when flushing it. Since yesterday, the wound has started to smell and it is still leaking serum - still clear, but now a darker (brown-ish) color. Should I be concerned? Might she need IM antibiotics? Might she need some Penicillin for this? If so, how long should I give it to her for?
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2010 - 7:12 am:
When did your mare present with this injury? DrO will reply, but in my opinion you should do all you can to get a vet out today (before 5  ). I would think antibiotics are definitely indicated, and stitching, but it's probably too late for that.
Good luck.
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Member:
lizzotp
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2010 - 11:08 am:
Its been almost a week now. The vet saw the wound the day after it happened, but it was too late for stitches - she said to cold-hose and apply topical antibiotics. The vet here is not all that knowledgeable about horses (I was told that her specialty at university was bees)and I would have to trailer my horse there (an hour down the road). I tend to over-react, would just like to hear if it is really warranted in this situation, or if there is something I can do myself... the wound isn't warm and has actually become far less painful. Maybe I put on the Hibitane too thickly and the residue the next day smells strange?
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Member:
sross
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2010 - 8:53 pm:
If the wound is far less painful, does that mean that you can now hose without problem? I've seen some nasty wounds (full skin thickness) resolve with hosing, topical antibiotics, and Preparation H. What is the horse's temperature?
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Member:
dustee
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 - 8:30 pm:
If you use penicillin, please be very careful. It is IM, and if it accidentally gets into a blood vessel, it can be terribly dangerous.
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Member:
lizzotp
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 - 8:44 pm:
Thanks for the advice! I called my vet and asked about it... she didn't sound the slightest bit concerned, but agreed to give me some Uniprim (oral antibiotics) to help my nerves :-) I think it is necessary - though it is healing, it seems to have become quite painful again and I think it is beginning to get infected...
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Member:
npo33901
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 5, 2010 - 10:06 am:
I'd try organic honey - (cold cured ) . It is use on us humans too.. Specialy on burns.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2010 - 10:32 pm:
Hello Elizabeth,
Remember that oral antibiotics do not supplant good wound care. Daily cleaning (which may be as easy as hosing) and frequent application of a good topical antimicrobial ointment or spray that is not toxic to tissues should be continued. What has your vet recommended topically? Necrotic odor is an indication of insufficient cleaning.
DrO
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