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  Discussion on Virtues of hosing
Author Message
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2006 - 9:01 pm:

Just wanted to say thanks for the great article on wound care. I haven't seen daily pressure hosing in any of my vet books, and I would never have thought to do this had it not been for your article. My husband's gelding got the better of my mare when they took down the fence between them a couple of months ago (I was there in a flash, lucky to have seen it all happen, though not quick enough to separate them before some damage). I didn't even see the slice near her belly button until the next morning, preoccupied as I was to other cuts, and by then it was too late to suture the deep slice there. But, daily hosing and debridement for a month or so, plus smearing with ointment, did the trick and at this point it's hard to even find the scar (incredible, given it was a deep 3-corner tear...).
Thanks again for the great advice at HA.
M
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Mar 18, 2006 - 9:09 am:

Thank you Melissa, I have hosed under pressure hundreds of wounds for 2 decades. Some wounds several feet long, many inches deep, with exposed bone. All with the same experience you have had.
DrO
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 7:57 am:

Dr. O, I have been wanting to write this note for some time but until I found out what the final outcome of the horse (Babe) involved was to be I have held off. On March 18, 2006 my wife and I took on a rescue horse that had fallen out of a horse trailer and was dragged down the road about 300 yards. Her entire right side from her front shoulder to her hip and hind leg were turned into hamburger. There was a hole in her hip that you could have put a volley ball into and she had large road rash burns down her entire side. At the time of the accident the humane thing to do would have been to put her down but this did not happen. We got her post accident about two weeks after she had received some initial Veterinary. The previous owners soon found out that they did not have the time to dedicate to her care. We took her sight unseen and she was as bad or worse than we were told. Her hip and flank area was literally held together with gauze stitched across the open wound just to hold her together. At the top inside of the hip wound you could see the ilium and there were three nasty holes we believe were caused from abscesses. Not a pretty sight. I was a paramedic for a lot of years and one thing I learned there was that the eyes are the gateway to the sole. When I looked at this horses eyes I knew she would make it. They just sparkled and were full of life, not the dull, I'm hurting look you would expect. She didn't move too well but we knew that would improve with time. Our first call was to the original attending Vet to get the history on her treatment and then to our Vet for him to come check her out. His only comment when her saw her was "Ah S---!! and we moved on to evaluating her. The evaluation wasn't real good but he never once mentioned that she should be put down. He knew I would not do that at that point in time. What we needed then was a lot of help from God and a lot of time to get her healed up. I really figured it would take a year for everything to heal. Our Vet's treatment plan was some pretty massive doses of PCN to start with and daily doses of Bute to help her cope with the pain, and twice a day hoseings with water. At the outset of treatment it was taking about 4 hours a day to care for Babe. We pretty much followed your protocol for long term deep wound care however we did use Nu-Stock ointment after the initial treatment with furazone. The Nu-Stock helped hold the infection down, kept the area moist and kept the flies away. Now, four months down the road Babe is pretty much healed. She was saddled and ridden a short distance last week just to make sure everything worked and there didn't seem to be any pain or discomfort in her joints. We and everyone that has been associated with Babe during her recovery are totally amazed at her progress. I could go on but we have posted pictures and a slide show on our web site that tell the story better than I can. The pictures can been seen at https://thunderranchhorses.com and then Babe's Page. I guess the bottom line with all this is and what we have learned is the hoseings made the difference by stimulating circulation and speeding up the healing process. We did suffer some ups and downs, especially with the abscess and I will be glad to share how we treated them if anyone is interested but to conserve space I won't go into that here. We have never looked back and would do it all again. Thanks for providing a terrific and informative web site. It all helps.

Jim
Member:
Cheryl

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 8:31 am:

How, in the name of all that's Holy, did she fall out the back of a horse trailer???!!! Please give Babe a big juicy apple for me. What a great job you have done.
Cheryl
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 8:50 am:

Theron,

I do agree wholeheartedly with you about the virtues of hosing ... in response to a multitude of situations.

However, the purpose of this post is to pay homage to your dedication, concern and spirit - I read your post and looked at 'Babe's Story' on your website -- and I am in awe of what you (and I'm sure others) have done in serving Babe. I've always wondered what defines a 'horse person' ... the definition should include you. Your patience and willingness to bring her back each and every day is an inspiration. You have put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. Thank you.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 9:09 am:

Thank you so much for the kudos Theron and thank you for caring for Babe. It always seems to me that horses that go through this type of ordeal become especially appreciative of their care givers.
DrO
Member:
Peggyr

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 9:18 am:

Theron, it was fate that Babe landed in your very capable hands. Thank you for saving her life. Peggy
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 12:19 pm:

Well done, Theron. God love you for giving such excellent care to Babe.
Member:
Canter

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 1:04 pm:

Holy Sh...! is right. I've never seen anything this horrifying in my entire life. Bless you for taking such dedicated care of Babe; it was an obviously long and difficult job, but one with a satisfying outcome.

I wish Babe continue healing!
Member:
Zarr

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 1:26 pm:

Theron, your email will no doubt burn down with responces to your story of Babe but what a beautiful job your have done Congradulations! We took on a doberman that had fallen out of a pick up while chained her injuries were much the same as Babes, so to take on such a huge job speaks of a deep soul and huge heart on your part.As for Babe if she is as Chaser was you will be repaied many times over!! Cindy
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 3:31 pm:

Theron,

There are no words to describe what an amazing thing you've done for Babe. I watched the slideshow, and saw that sparkle in Babe's eye, too, even in the early pictures. She is a true fighter.

Babe's story is also a true testament to just how powerful the healing powers of the body really are. To overcome such trauma in just four months is mindboggling!

Nicole
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 4:09 pm:

Oh my! the slide shows some of the worst injury's I have ever seen. Thank god for people like you. Amazing recovery. Amazing story.
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 6:37 am:

Cheryl, I have no idea how she came out of the trailer. I only know that it happened in Louisiana and she was loaded back on the trailer and brought to Florida. It was something about the side door came open and she went out while still tied to the trailer. I don't think I will ever know the whole story. Also I hope I didn't over simplify her treatment. We knew from the first day that all the vital functions were working. She ate, she drank, she peed, she pooped, and she could walk. All good things. Babe was under weight by at least 200# but her initial blood work only showed she was mildly anemic and protein deficient. We put her on Purina Senior because we knew she need the added protein and vitamins/minerals for healing and it would be easy for her to digest. We also added 2 oz daily of Red Cell. Then it was two weeks of 35cc PCN twice a day, and then a regamin of Tucoprim. We took her temperature twice a day, flushed the wounds, put on ointment and then walked her a little. We didn't want her to just stand and get stiff and possibly founder. Then it was the infections in the holes in the hip. We flushed those with a saline mild Betadine solution until it came out clear, twice a day. Then on to just flushing with saline. We shot Gentozen directly into the holes. Those infections got better then worse. We then cultured the infection and changed to direct application of PCN and they cleared up. Once we got the infection out of the holes the healing process from that point on has been amazing. You would never believe that much damage would heal over in four months. We are still hosing her daily and still putting Nu-Stock on the wounds but have added sun block to all the new pink skin to help protect it and keep it moisturized. I also need to mention a couple of the milestones we passed. The first time she laid down and rolled. It was a mess to clean her back up but we were glad to see her do it. And then the first night we saw her lay down with the other horses... it was the little things we were glad to see. We knew she was getting better. We are still hosing daily and putting ointment on until all the raw areas are completely covered. The only problem we have now is that sometimes she will rub against something and tear the new tender skin. **Dr. O, during the whole process I kept detailed notes on observations and treatment that I would be glad to share with you or anyone else that is interested. Just email me at tunderranch@msn.com and I will send them. One more thing, we update the pictures on the web site on Sundays. Jim
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 12:23 pm:

Update and a question. Babe has done better than anyone could expect. Our Vet is amazed. And the best part is that we are rideing her some just to get her limbered back up. But now I have a question. It seems that the few remaining spots that need to cover have almost stopped covering. Maybe it's because we have been looking at it everyday for 6 months but it has really slowed down in the healing process. We are still hosing, using Nu-Stock and Furazone. Seems like I need something to jump start the healing process again. Any suggestions??
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 12:41 pm:

Jim, this is the first I have read of your rescue of Babe and subsequent treatment. We were involved in a household move at the time of your original post and had no access to computers. I will be interested to hear of what you can use to complete the healing of the wounds.
What a heartrending and hopeful story of courage and love. Your story is a model of compassion that other people will benefit from hearing. Animal Planet or some major equine magazines should carry Babe's story.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 7:17 pm:

How big are these spots Theron and what is in the Nu-Stock?
DrO
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 5:44 am:

Dr. O, the spot on the back leg is L shaped, about 6 inches each way and 1/2-1 in. wide the spot on the side is about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. The Nu-Stock is made up from mineral oil, pine oil and sulphur. It really has done a good job for us so far and we haven't had any problem with flies during the summer. The most recent pictures are on our web site, https://thunderranchhorses.com at Babe's Page.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 7:15 am:

The problem with the pine oil Theron is that it is tissue toxic, slows down skin reepithelization and predisposes to scar formation. Your wound has been healing in spite of this medication and not because of it. I would recommend you stop using the product and switch to nitrofurazone sprays as a antibacterial and fly repellent.

If the skin then does not continue to heal, you could try freshening the granulation bed: this consists or removing the layer of mature granulation tissue so that fresh granulation tissue can fill back in the wound and may stimulate new skin growth or perhaps even take a skin grafting. Finally if you do nothing this areas will in time form a scar.
DrO
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 8:26 am:

Dr. O, THANKS!! We are so close th everything being healed Babe doesn't need to have any problems now. We'll switch back to the nitorofurazone full time, fly spray and continue the hosings. I'll keep you posted on the progress... Jim
Member:
Jgordo03

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 5:39 pm:

All I can say is bless you both. You are amazing people and you will be rewarded someday for your kindness. I am so glad that people like you are in the world. March 18th is my birthday; please make sure you post additional pictures of Babe on her first anniversary with you.
Judi
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 8:05 pm:

Holly and Judi, thanks for your kind words. It's been a long haul and we are almost there. It just amazes everyone that sees Babe that she does not have any kind of physical deficit with all the muscle damage that she had in her front and back legs and her hip but we kept her moving from day one. And to be able to ride her was unthinkable when we started on her in March. I think it just proves how powerful a little prayer, mother nature, and a little human help are. All we did was support her the best our Vet, my wife and I could do. A special thanks goes to Dr. O for publishing the protocol we followed on Long Term Deep Wound Care. A lot of people contributed to her care. We were just the mechanism to get it done. And yes, we learned a lot and we would do it all again just to save a horse. As this one turned out it would have been a crime to put her down. We have 9 horses and Babe is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. She is awesome!
Member:
Djws

Posted on Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 - 12:08 am:

Jim and Dorie-

Not sure how I missed this post originally...

God bless all of you! Your dedication, and love, are the key ingredients to Babe's healing. May you have continued success (I will follow her progress on your web site)!

I wish you all much happiness together!

Babe was sent to the right hands!

DJ
Member:
Tangoh

Posted on Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 - 8:53 am:

I don't even know what words to type. I have watched the video more than once and have been following this thread and I am utterly speechless and overcome with awe and respect for what you have done for Babe. I have never seen such injuries.

Thank God that there are people like you on this earth.

Bravo!
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 - 11:25 am:

Devotion knows no bounds, you have done what needed to be done, a most extra-ordinary task. I feel am humbled and inspired by your dedication.
Thank you for taking the time to pictorially record her injuries and her progress. It is from seeing, not just reading, that we learn. You and Babe have given us an immeasurable gift.
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Friday, Oct 13, 2006 - 12:18 am:

Always so happy to see your posts, Theron. Hopefully, you'll have the time to keep us up on Babe's progress. I've been curious: have the previous owners been abe to see the miracle you guys brought about?
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Sunday, Oct 15, 2006 - 9:38 am:

Dr. O, just in the few days since we changed back to nitrofurazone I can see a difference. The epithelization process appears to be taking off again.

Yesterday I found out why I have been doing all this for Babe. I had her out in the back pasture for a short ride and some exercise, about 20 minutes worth. I figured that was enough and walked her back through the gate. While trying to close the gate Babe kept trying to push it back open with her nose. She was trying to tell me she wasn't done yet. So out we went again for another half hour. She would have kept on going if I would have let her. That's all the pay back I will ever need. She is one awesome horse!! Also, posted new pictures on the web site this morning. I usually update them on Sunday morning. Jim
Member:
Savage

Posted on Sunday, Oct 15, 2006 - 3:27 pm:

Jim, I just went to your website and how wonderful to see how well Babe is doing!!!! :-) You are a good person and your critters show it in their bright eyes.

Keep up the good work, it's people like you that give the rest of us continued inspiration and determination, I am glad you have joined our wonderful group of caring people on HA.
Member:
Tangoh

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 8:53 am:

As I stated in my above post, I am still moved by the awesome care you continue to give Babe and by the most amazing results of that care and I truly wish Babe a full and complete recovery

..but on a different (musical) note..

I absolutely love the music behind the video. It brings even more emotion to watching the video, it portrays an extremely brave horse to even think about surviving such a monumental wreck.

I minimize the video quite often (I've watched it numerous times); so I can listen to the music. I'm listening to it as I speak. It is truly the music of my 'soul'.

Can you tell me, is it a CD that I can purchase, or do you know the artist?

Thanks for Babe's story and for your undaunting spirit.
Member:
Tunatime

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 12:54 pm:

Sherri, send me your email address through our web page and I will send you the file.
Jim
Member:
tunatime

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 7:22 pm:

Dr. O, I think this will be my final report on Babe and her progress. It was ten months ago today that we got Babe and if you remember she was in pretty bad shape. Now, except for a spot the size of a dime and a couple of small spots on her leg she is almost completely healed and we really are not doing too much except keeping the spots clean and putting Banana Boat After Burn on everything else that has already healed just trying to keep the new skin from drying out. The big wound on her hip is filling in from underneath and really is looking good. I suspect there will be some scaring, but so be it considering what the original outcome could have been. We have been riding her and she really seems to like the work. There doesn't appear to be any kind of deficit in any of the muscles that were damaged and her hooves that were ground down where she was dragged have complete grown back out without any problems. This story really does have a happy ending! Thank you Dr. O and everyone else for your email and kind support. Jim
Member:
tunatime

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 7:24 pm:

I forgot to mention, the latest pictures are on our web site https://thunderranchhorses.com Enjoy!!
Member:
dres

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 7:46 pm:

BEAUTIFUL...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
hwood

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 7:48 pm:

What a lovely mare and an incredible story . . . Thank you for the update and for the photos. Surely, this story must make it into one of the horse or veterinary magazines. What a wonderful testimony of loving sacrifice, generosity, and healing.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 8:00 pm:

The hair is even starting to grow back! There are special places in heaven for people like you. Thanks for the update.
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 8:13 pm:

Thank you for sharing your story. Pictures mean so much. We have been so worried about our little guy. By comparison, his injury seems minor. We started hosing him today (day 8). He was fine and didn't act like it hurt at all. Anyway, your efforts have clearly made not only an amazing impact on Babe, but also on everyone who hears (and sees) her story. It is truly a story of hope.

Hugs and blessings,

Judy
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Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 9:42 pm:

Wonderful to hear James.
DrO
Member:
tuckern

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 12:54 pm:

WooooHoooo!!!!!

What an amazing story of recovery! Sara said it just right, there are special places in heaven for people like you.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

Nicole
Member:
corinne

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 6:27 pm:

Theron...please don't stop posting on Babe...we would love to hear about all the good things that are brought to her life now that you have given her the chance for a good one! I for one would like many many more updates. I have been following this post since this summer and had thought I had sent my wishes before until I reread it through and realized I did not. I have been praying for her all along. Continued prayers for Babe and for you and your family of rescuers! Please keep up the good work...and don't stop posting on her, I suggest you start a new post in inspirational to tell us about all the joys she now faces!
Member:
tunatime

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 8:41 am:

Corinne, OK, I'll keep you all posted on Babe's future and progress and I'll update her pictures on the web site at least every other week. I have no reason to believe that Babe will not be able to perform at anything that would be asked of her at this point. We do an annual week-long trail ride in March every year. Way too soon to take her this year but by next year she should be conditioned enough to go and that will be our primary focus in the coming months, getting her back in good physical condition. Really, she is in very good shape now except for the few spots that are just a little slow in healing and a dose of the Florida crud. Thanks to the itch she has managed to rub her mane off and has some spots on her chest and under her front legs but we are getting all that under control. I do have a question for everyone. Does anyone know of anything that will help promote some hair growth over the scared area?
Member:
cheryl

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 9:08 am:

Jim - there are no words to convey my gratitude for what you and your family have done for Babe. We need many more just like you.

I would also be interested in anything that would help grow hair on scars. Robbie severely injured his right hind - stepped through a piece of sheet metal before he was rescued - then re-injured it and required surgery again. He has a big scar that worries me. Seems it would be very easy for it to be re-injured again. Hair would give it at least a little protection.
Cheryl
Member:
corinne

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 1:59 pm:

Jim and Cheryl...Not sure if it works growing hair on scars (although it claims to) but have you ever tried topical MTG shapely's oil? Demetrius has a bad habit of getting stuck on the receiving end of another horse's teeth quite often and often had bald patches. The hair always took forever to return so I tried the oil on one of two different bald spots and the one with the oil seemed to grow faster. It does however leave a greece like residue so she won't stay clean and dirt will surely stick to it. I can't be sure if it grew back because of the oil or it was going to at that rate on it's own but it sure seemed to have helped. You might try googling it....Beware it smells like bacon fat however!
Member:
zarr

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 5:07 pm:

Theron and Babe and all who worked so hard WOW it is one of the best examples of faith and courage from one and all. So very well done! Cindy
Member:
tunatime

Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 5:28 pm:

As promised, but this is the last update... Yesterday, Easter Sunday, Babe went on her first trail ride, just a little over a year since her accident. The only thing I can say is WOW!! Absolutely no problems from her injuries. She got a good workout for about three hours and never missed a step. She trotted some and oh boy does she like cows. She likes to lead the way too and would rather go through a palmetto thicket than go around it. Babe still has a spot about the size of a dime on her hip that has not healed but we keep after it and sooner or later it will completely cover. We are just glad that this story has a very happy ending. Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and support. Jim.
Member:
zarr

Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 5:55 pm:

Oh My Gosh ! Thank you so much for update I have thought about Babe and your efforts often and wondered how you all were doing!! That must have been a glorious ride for everyone! Here's to many many more!!! Cindy
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 8:08 pm:

Thank you so much for posting your latest ( and last) message! WOW! is all I can say. What a very special horse, and very special people to bring her through her injuries and pain to being a happy, healthy horse again! Kudos to you many times over!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 6:50 am:

Thanks Theron,
DrO
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 7:58 am:

I love happy endings!

Your love and care for Babe have obviously paid off - I know that you will continue to enjoy each other for many years to come.
Member:
sonoita

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 9:56 am:

Theron,
Great job and blessings your way. I am a sucker for happy endings. followed your webpage . Keep us posted please.
Happy TRails
Member:
paul303

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 12:39 am:

A thousand thanks for the update. What an accomplishment!!!
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