Best wound management to prevent scarring.

[Spyda]

One of my horses was kicked on the forearm last night by a shod horse. Viewed from the offside of the horse, the wound is in the centre of the forearm, about 4 inches down from the elbow joint.

The kick has left a large swelling and deep cut about 1.25 inches long, which is pouching open and weeping slightly. The vet came out last night but didn't want to staple it closed, dispite me being concerned about it scarring, and told me to keep cold hosing and to give a 20ml penicillin jab daily for the next 4 days.

It's a difficult area to cover, so apart from continuing the cold hosing, is there anything else I can do to minimise the actual wound from scarring?

 

[Ali2]

My horse had a very similar injury about 6 weeks ago. It was not that much to look at on the surface but had quite a pouch underneath. He was antibiotics for a week and bute for about 4 days. We had to cold hose every night and keep the wound open initially so it could drain. It was quite unsightly and there was quite a lot of swelling which moved down his leg from the original wound site. Anyway the point I am failing to get to is that it has healed beautifully and apart from the hair which was cut away and needs to grow back you would never know he'd been injured. So I wouldn't worry unduly about scarring

 

[Spyda]

THANK YOU! That is so reassuring. Was suprised the vet didn't want to staple or stitch it last night - but he was in a hurry to get off to a colic emergency so I wasn't sure if he just didn't have time or genuinely did not feel the need to do it. Like you say, the wound doesn't look all that terrible, but any scar on a potential show horse is best avoided.

 

[Birker2020]

I would suggest vitamin E capsules broken open and the liquid rubbed lightly on the skin. This is the same sort of thing as Bio Oil which is excellent to reduce scarring.

 

[Rana]

I would recommend keeping the wound as moist as possible to reduce scarring - so avoid using anything like wound powder which will dry the wound.

Something like Intrasite gel, or Hydro Gel would help, or even Equine America Dermagel. I've seen great results with all of these, on some fairly horrendous wounds.

 

[ajf]

I'd second intrasite to keep the wound moist as most wound powder type things can make cuts worse.
As far up as you say it should heel quite nicely, but just keep an eye and keep cold hosing. Its knee and below that the healing is very comprimised.

 

[Spyda]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd second intrasite to keep the wound moist as most wound powder type things can make cuts worse.
As far up as you say it should heel quite nicely, but just keep an eye and keep cold hosing. Its knee and below that the healing is very comprimised.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm applying Hydrogel twice a day, after cold hosing for 15 minutes, and covering the wound with an adhesive dressing as it's too awkward a place to bandage - Does anyone know the best ADHESIVE DRESSING for applying in these situations. I'm buying human dressings from the chemist ATM but wondered if there was anything more 'sticky' for application over fur?