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  Discussion on Leg wound, wrap or no?
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Posted on Monday, Feb 21, 2000 - 10:41 am:

Dr. Olgesby,
I have a thoroughbred mare, 8 years old. About 10 days ago, I went out to feed and found her back left leg swollen from the hock down--huge. There was a quarter sized scrape-cut on the back of the leg about midway between the hock and fetlock. The leg was hot to touch and very tender. On vet advice--after he administered a tetanus booster and a banamine shot, I continued with antibiotic in her feed and bute twice a day. I also applied cold water with a hose for a few days. I wasn't sure whether to wrap the leg area where the cut was but I did. I would clean the wound (I shaved the area first) apply triple antibiotic ointment and a telfa pad, then wrap with vetwrap not too tight. After that regimen for a week, I had to go out of town this past weekend. When I checked her today, I noticed the cut is healing nicely but the area around the cut is still swollen on the outside of the leg--a lump, somewhat soft but lumpy. The fetlock is likewise still a bit swollen. Is this normal healing process? Should I wrap the entire leg? If so, please tell me the procedure. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. She is still lame and the leg around the wound is still "ouchy". Thank you.

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 8:24 am:

Hello Vicki,
Not being able to examine the wound myself I cannot tell if this is normal or not. The swelling could be infection or from blunt trauma and since we do not know how much blunt trauma was received.... The amount of swelling any particular wound SHOULD have will vary depending on these details. It certainly would not be unusual to have some swelling further down in the leg from an open wound.

The degree of swelling and lameness and how it is changing is a good indication of whether infection is well controlled or not. Is the lameness and swelling improving or worsening, using day 2 as the base line?

A pressure bandage on the distal leg will help control swelling but you must be careful with this type bandage and I recommend you have your vet personally show you how to apply one.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 11:05 pm:

DrO
Thanks for your response. I am convinced I need to call the vet out again. I think it's getting worse, the area around the cut is still warm and the swelling may even be worse today than yesterday. The lameness is pretty much the same. We'll see. Thank you very much. As a new subscriber, I must tell you that I am impressed with your site. I am recommending it to my horsey friends. Vicki
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