Drawing out infection...

Zirach

Zirach

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Any ideas on how to draw out pus from a wound site? My horse had a bone flap operation in March to remove a tooth, the wound has healed very well with virtually no scarring however we are still having issues with the wound healing and the area is quite swollen with some pus.

We have of course had the vet out and we have had him on a course of antibiotics but as the infection has greatly reduced, he has been off them for the past couple of weeks. Upon the vets advice I have been applying hot compresses to the site, but as it is in a funny place it is difficult to apply a poultice dressing even for a short period of time.

Any ideas? Prob should be on the veterinary bit but didnt have much joy there a couple of weeks ago.
 
Would flushing with syringes of warm water be easier? It is a tricky place to hold a dressing to and as you are trying to draw pus rather than say a thorn or foreign body something like 'Black Draw' (which would stick to the hair) wouldnt work.
 
Is Yarrow a supplement? Do you know where I can get it?

Manuka honey - assume as a dressing as opposed to in feed?

Will try the syringing but as the pus is quite thick, I have to keep picking the scab off (gross I know to allow it to drain, but could then syringe I guess).
 
Yes the manuka honey is applied directly to the wound as a dressing (you don't need to cover it.) It is a bit messy to use, but I've found it very effective. It's best to get the highest UMF honey you can, certainly above 10. It draws because of the sugar in it and keeps the wound moist to promote healing and is also antbacterial and antifungal so a good all round thing. Apparently they are using it in hospitals for leg ulcers. There is loads of info online, but one article here:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3787867.stm
 
I went up to do the gee gee this morning only to find a huge hard sweling caused by a tick which has become embedded and caused an infection. Anyway vet is coming tomorrow but she said in meanwhile to help to draw out the infection and tick to put a compress of hot towel with english mustard?! It draws stuff out apparantly. May be worth a try
 
Try giving him silica homeopathic pills (you should be able to get them from Ainsworths or a chemist/Holland & Barrett type shop). It can't do any harm and is useful for drawing infection.
 
My favourite poultice is bran, epsom salts and hot water, it is very good for drawing 'gunk' and it is something I used on my own poisonous spider bite a few years ago with great sucess the nurse didn't believe she was looking at the same leg!
 
Nothing to add, but I hope he is much beter soon.

Cant believe you both have had to go all through this.
 
Have been using silicia since he first got diagnosed with the inital tooth abcess and I am sure that is what is helping purge the ous so far - brilliant stuff. Rueysmum, I totally agree with you - its supposed to be good for foot abcesses as well x

Will have a go with the above remedies - wound site is showing a little bit of proud flesh now - the joy! so the sooner we get the rest of the pus out the sooner hopefully the wound will seal and the proud flesh stops.

Thanks guys, and thanks Scally - he is the mend, just slowly slowly!
 
Tea tree essential oil. Put a few drops into hot water and keep applying as a compress. Very highly antiseptic but won't damage the surrounding skin. I once poured neat into a wound site full of maggots (on a sheep) and they just poured out, never seen anything like it!
 
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