Dressing changed and pics of actual wound_ also, how is my wrap?

J

JadeWisc

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Sorry about all these updates, I have nothing else going on and really need everyones advice and opinions.


Ok....I managed to get it done with Merrill helping. I wanted you all to have a look at the wound and tell me how you think it looks.

I am feeling somewhat positive although I think if the tissue is going to die it may take a bit longer to show.
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The vet did a nice job with the stitching, but the entire underneath is unstitched as he had nothing but hoof to stitch it into (hence why he feels hoof will never grow back in that spot again.
Ok....eughhhhhhhhhhhhh



THE WOUND
Texwoundopen.jpg


Texwoundopen2.jpg






My first attempt at wrapping it


Not as good as vets, but best I can do!!!

Daythreewrap.jpg
 
I don't know the history. I'd say the wound looks quite neat. Bandaging looks fine, I'd personally make sure it is not too tight if it is on pretty much all the time.
 
vet said make it nice and tight by the stitching to reduce swelling and hold together???? I tried not to be too tight above the wound though as when I went ot cut off the vets dressing it seemmed a bit too tight up there to me
 
Hmmm it's a tricky one. I can see the vet's point about the pressure of the bandage holding the wound together so internal pressure doesn't push outwards causing skin to seperate......If that is what vet has said to do, then I guess that is what you should do....
 
I have seen alot worse so fingers crossed for you.
Looks OK at the mo & your bandaging looks fine.
Last winter er had a horse damage itself in that spot by over reach & took the heel off below that. Thought it was going to be the end & he bleed loads. But it has all grown back even the hoof. So there is hope so long as you can keep infection at bay.
Good luck & keep up the good work
 
ooh not sure about a tight dressing!! Im a vet nurse and dressings are not a vet's strong point, we are much better at them
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lol!
Your bandage needs to give support, but its better to be a little on the loose side and you have to re-apply, than it being to tight and you cut off circulation. Its getting the right balance that will come with practice.

I guess you are putting a non-stick dressing (such as melolin) onto the wound, with something such as intrasite gel on the wound itself? Then you'll put a padding on such as soffban, with a layer of conforming bandage, such as treatrap over the top? Then you obviously finish with a layer of vetrap.

The melolin obviously prevents the wound sticking to the rest of the dressing and provides protection and allows you to apply a cream/gel without it rubbing off on the dressing. The padding layer is just that, it offers protection to the wound and prevents the dressing from rubbing at the skin and causing another wound. The conforming layer offers the support. It is this layer (and also the vetrap) that can cause constriction if applied too tightly. Do not pull the conforming bandage as tight as it will go, otherwise the dressing is too tight. You need to pull it a little for it to do its job, if your not sure its best to be loose. If the dressing comes off, you can apply it more tightly the next time. Finally, the vetrap is only there to help prevent the dressing from getting wet and dirty and helps prevent infection getting in. Its just a protective layer and is really important that you just almost 'lay' it over the rest of the dressing, applying minimal pressure.

The dressing you have done looks very good and is far enough up the leg to help prevent it slipping (although i imagine it does slip - mine always used to!). noramally you would anchor the dressing over the joint above the wound you are dressing, even if you did this, the dressing would still slip down cos of the shape of the joint!

Wound looks pretty good i think, just ensure that each time you bathe it (i assume you are doing that?) that the tissue underneath is pink and healthy.

Good luck with the wound healing!!
 
Jade I have seen one very much worse than this some years ago. The horse was off work for around 18 months having actually lost almost all of one heel bulb and part of the foot. With a good vet, lots of love and a remedial farrier he came back into work, sound, and went on to compete with his owner.

The cause was always a mystery but its thought that he had caught himself on a piece of metal cable.
 
Jade, try not to worry about it. It is so much better than I was imagining. I've seen wounds far worse than this and believe it or not, the horses have recovered perfectly; so I hope that you and Tex are as successful.

Listen if my little Arab has managed to recover and remain totally sound from what happened to her then your guy will be just fine I'm sure.
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Biggest problem, as you obviously know, is to keep infection away. Do you have Furicin? I found that once the skin had knitted back together again and you were left with the open wound that Furicin was definitely my best friend for a while.

Best of luck - you're doing wonderful.
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Hi Jade I used to own a mare who had a very similar injury, initially I took her on loan as a bit of a project but she already had infection in it when I got her.

The wound blew up with proud flesh which left a huge scar but she went on to compete in most disciplines and eventually succumbed to arthritis which was unconnected.

My own vet felt that such a wound would have been treated with some sort of seaweed based dressing if he'd dealt with it from the start, but not sure what it was called and he felt much of the proud flesh could have been prevented.

The only thing I'd stress is that it's treated properly from the beginning and it sounds like your vet is on the case. Keep up the good work!
 
QR to all


Thank you for the words of encouragement! It makes me feel better having the comments now that you have seen it!


It really does not look that bad put back together...but HOLY MOLY I wish I had a pic of it as I found him!

I have had a few people look at it in the flesh and have had encourageing words too. I am starting to feel much more hopeful!


Will keep plugging on and will keep you all posted!
He just had his evening anti b's and is doing well tonight!
smile.gif

He is even walking on it alot better! Not even any butte!
 
o dear, looks painful!! i always find plenty of padding a good idea when pressure bandaging, even if you can only pad the front as it gives a bit more comfort when the bandages are a bit tight and reduces the risk of them being dangerous! main thing my vet told me with regard to the hoof, you cant bandage it too tight cause its his hoof! main thing is even pressure so you dont make a 'band' at the top and let the swelling build up underneath, looks pretty good by the pics though!! i took my horses bandages off about 4 times a day when i first did his cause i was scared of them being too tight, when you realise how expensive the vet wrap is though you soon stop that!!!

hope it gets better soon!!! ;-)
 
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