Barbed wire injury - update

PolarSkye

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Well, he remained sound on it . . . but it kept filling overnight . . . and this afternoon it hadn't gone down despite being out all day and felt warm so I had the vet take a look. He took Kal's temp and it was normal - we trotted him up (he was sound) - and he took a good look at the wounds . . . he said there was some good granulation, they looked nice and clean and were healing well (especially given where it is and how hard it is to keep it dry) but that there was some nasty inflammation and Kal might just need a "boost" to help with the healing process. So . . . gave him an antibiotic jab, he has a five-day course of oral antibiotics, five days of bute just to help with the swelling and a topical steroid/antibiotic cream. Bandaged at night/when he's in . . . out during the day and he can continue to work.

Vet said we were very lucky with where the wounds are - a couple of inches higher and we'd have been looking at tendons, etc. Also said we had been doing the right thing . . . to continue keeping him clean . . . just making sure we dried him off really well after washing when he comes in in the evenings.

So . . . looks like we dodged a bullet/have been lucky. Phew.

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phew glad he will be ok! Sounds like the vet has given you lots of things to cover all bases, hope it heals up soon :-)

Yes, me too . . . was hoping not to have to get the vet out, but the heat/swelling was worrying (not to mention all the advice on here). Very glad I did . . . if nothing else for the reassurance that we were on the right track but there's some additional medicinal "help." He didn't have an infection - but he won't get one now :).

P

P.S. Thanks everyone who offered their advice and good wishes on the original thread.
 
Thanks both . . . here's to my boy dodging yet another injury (I swear he could hurt himself in a padded room - and the many scars he had when he came to me tell a very sad story) . . . I love his little quirky ways but I don't love the inevitable vet bills or the time off . . . but both are inevitable.

He was so stoic when the vet injected him today . . . barely moved . . . and he ate up his dinner with the antiobio powder in it . . . I just hate tricking him into taking the bute (have to dissolve it in warm water in an old syringe (no needle, obviously) and do a mini drench - always feel like he hates/mistrusts me afterwards).

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I'm glad to hear he is doing well and covered. Punctures are just so nasty.

Terri

Yes, they are . . . and I'm very glad to hear from the vet that he's heading in the right direction . . . and also very glad (despite my bias against unnecessary medication) that he's now on antibiotics . . . peace of mind.

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phew glad he will be ok! Sounds like the vet has given you lots of things to cover all bases, hope it heals up soon :-)

Thank you - I'm actually more concerned now about where the wounds are . . . as in right on his pastern which means he flexes/opens the wounds every time he takes a step) than I am about infection. The steroid/antibio cream should help though . . . accelerate healing.

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Leg barely swollen at all this morning - not sure if that was the bute or the bandaging, but very glad either way. Kali still isn't crazy about me handling/cleaning it . . . but he can be an awkward so-and-so about his hinds anyway. He isn't loving the bute though . . . the only way I can get it into him is to dilute with warm water and syringe it down his throat . . . he gets a strong-tasting treat before and after to help take the taste away, but he's still very distrustful when he sees me coming with the syringe (he can smell it too so there's not much point hiding it). He also wasn't very impressed at his morning routine being lengthened - need to give him his morning bute, take his bandages off, clean/dry and apply the topical antibio/steroid to his wounds instead of just changing rugs, picking out feet and going straight out.

However, very, very glad the GreyDonk is continuing to heal well.

P
 
Can you not mix it into custard?
I find its so much easier if I need to use a syringe (old wormer one?) to give it as its more gloopy and hides the taste too.
Try a supermarket small tub - like yoghurt pot size - as this will last for around 3 sessions.

Good luck :)
 
Can you not mix it into custard?
I find its so much easier if I need to use a syringe (old wormer one?) to give it as its more gloopy and hides the taste too.
Try a supermarket small tub - like yoghurt pot size - as this will last for around 3 sessions.

Good luck :)

Oh this is a good idea . . . will give this a go . . . although I use an old proper syringe - needle removed so I do worry that the custard might be too gloopy to push through that small hole?

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Oh this is a good idea . . . will give this a go . . . although I use an old proper syringe - needle removed so I do worry that the custard might be too gloopy to push through that small hole?

P

Quite likely - thats why I use a wormer syringe for custard & wider end - means its all done quite quickly just like your thin one with water :)
 
I am so please to hear this, my girl was the same and just missed her tendon, so that is really good news to hear. I am hoping next week after eight weeks that my girl will be able to go out. I hope it continues to go well for you x
 
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