Cut on hind leg just above fetlock. Have I done the right thing?

Nickles1973

Nickles1973

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I went down to bring my boy in this evening and found to my horror his the back of his hind foot completely covered in blood! I panicked as I usually do and assumed it was a massive gash to his heel however on closer inspection it turned out to just be a 1cm cut. It's just above his fetlock and a little to the back so just in front of tendons. It looks quite deep but was just oozing a little blood. I doubt it had happened all that long ago as he's a very sensitive boy and there was no swelling yet. I called the vet and her advice was to cold hose to clean it off and numb the area, then to clean thoroughly with a little hibiscrub spray with blue antibiotic spray and bandange. Then to take his temperature this evening and first thing in the morning to get an idea of if there is any infection. I have followed her instructions, but all I could find to dress it with before gamgee and stable bandage was animalintex. Now I'm sitting here worrying that I should have insisted that the vet pay a visit. Does what I've done sound about right or should I go back down and have another look and maybe insist on the vet??? (I have bandaged both hind legs before anyone asks)
 
You've done the best you can - keep an eye on temp. I'm sure it will be fine as long as there are no bugs present - if there are some noradine antibiotic will sort them out. Don't use bute as this will mask a rise in temp.
 
^^^ Agreed, monitor temperature as this will give be first indication of if there's any infection. If you've got any concerns at all, phone the vet for advice/reassurance, better to be safe than sorry. x
 
Thank's for replies, I'm still sitting here worrying but I guess that's parr for the course with horses :-( I will reassess in the morning when also others will be around to have a look with me and then call the vet again if neccessary.
Re numbing the area, the vet said that the cold water from the hose would help to numb it.
 
seems a strange thing for a vet to say, if we sliced ourselfs running under water would make it feel better but not numb.

best thing to fight infection op is warm salt water, if the cut is that deep it may require a few stitches, otherwise flush is out a couple of times of day (kitten syringes are excellent for this sort thing.)

dont panick if there is swelling tomorrow, just look out for any signs of fresh blood, as this would be a sign it is deep and did need stitches.

is horse up todate with tetnus jabs?
 
You have definately done the right thing, cold hosing cleans and does numb the wound a little especially good while you dress the wound.

Animalintex will be fine - if there is any dirt still in it will draw it out. I use saline solution to wash wounds, mix 1 teaspoon into previously boiled and cooled water. My vet swears by salt. When my mare cut her chest open - a three corner tear she said just fill the wound with salt. It stings initially but then stops stinging, protects the wound from flies and as salt is naturally found in the body is a non invasive treatment.

Active Manuka Honey is also excellent as it contins natural antibiotics.
 
I went to a local vet practice who ran a First Aid night, it was very interesting and I bought an equine First Aid kit, it has enough bandages to cope with bandaging one whole limb, a stethoscope and a thermometer, gauze swabs, latex gloves, vetwrap, and so on.
I carry enough Danolin or Zero bute for four days [bank holiday weekend] and make full use of the vet advice which is free and available 24/7: as long as you have all the kit 95% of things can be sorted that way.
In addition to the normal stuff I have two Animalitex [not sterile but you can pour boiling water on them], two single use Intrasil [for messy wounds and puncture wounds], two 500ml sterile saline packs, and an Betadine iodine spray [pharmacy], plus purple spray for small cuts, and large syringe to jet Hibiscrub on to a dirty area, also two small bowls with lids [supermarket] for cleaning hands and cleaning wounds.
Keep the tetanus vaccine up to date.
There must be some good books on First Aid for horses, you are best to practice bandaging and taking temperatures etcetera when NOT under stress. someone on the yard should be able to help you, as it takes practice to get a neat job.
 
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