Cut above knee

[katia]

Hi,

My mare came in yesterday with a swollen knee. She has a small cut around 2/3cm in length, slightly above the knee and to the inside of the leg. Its not deep at all, no puncture or debris in the wound.

I cleaned it thoroughly, hosed it for 15ish mins, applied antiseptic cream and wound powder for good measure!.. She isn't lame on it at all and didn't seem particularly bothered by it being poked and prodded! She was in for the day and out for the night as I thought it may be better for her to keep it mobile??

However today it is slightly larger, I have done the same again i.e, hosing, cream etc but I'm slightly concerned still with it being so close to her knee

Am I doing the right thing turning her out? Any other treatment advice or shall I call the vet if no better tomorrow??

Thanks in advance,
Kat.xx

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

If the wound punctured the joint your ned could already be in big trouble. But from what you said, that it was a superficial cut, that's not the case. It's probably got an infection in, either from the original wound or from contamination after it was done. A careful cleaning to both clean the cut and assess the extent of the injury is exactly what I'd do but I think you need to stop cold hosing! Cold hosing of sprained muscles/damaged tendons/etc aims to prevent the rush of white blood cells to the site of the injury because it can cause scarring on tissues that need to remain flexible. But continuous vigorous cold hosing on the site of a cut will prevent the white blood cells from being brought to the site to fight any infection. It could also wash away the new skin cells that start the healing process. And wound powder is not recommended these days. A gel covering is much more beneficial as it provides the moist, sterile covering that the wound needs.

If it was me, I'd stop cold hosing immediately, start regular gentle bathing in warm salt water, cover with a wound gel. If you have any concerns whatsoever that an infection has taken hold or the cut could be deeper than you thought, get the vet out. Your girl's body may need some help from antibx for a few days.

 

[katia]

Thankyou sooo much for your advice box-of-frogs! I have been using an antibacterial gel..the sprinkle of wound powder over the top just seemed to act as a additional fly repellant! But I shall stop using it. Thanks for letting me know about the cold hosing theory, it makes sense.
I shall let you know how she gets on.xxxx