Healing Wounds - What's best?

[jennystreek]

I was away last week, and my mare managed to cut herself in the field. Unfortunately with all the ice and snow, the cut wasnt noticed on the day that it happened, but picked up the next day by the farrier.

Had I been there, I would personally have got it stiched, but understand that its too late to do it now.

This is it 5 days later:

What would you advise in terms of helping it heal quickly? The yellow on the cut isnt pus but woodchips that got in it over night - I had wanted to keep it open to the air, hence them getting in.

Any advice greatly appreciated

) x

 

[Izzwizz]

I would get the Vet to check it out if you havent already, would guess that a course of anti biotics would be needed. Warm salt water is a good healer and dermagel to act as a barrier and maybe it needs bandaging. Your photo is a little blurred but a pony on our yard cut round the back of her heel. Vet advised it to be bandaged for 3 days. Looks pretty sore and the dressing would keep the shavings off the wound along with any poo etc.

Hope it heals well.

 

[jennystreek]

thanks - I have been cleaning it every day with hibiscrib and putting vet gel on it. Tried msn cream today to see if that helps. Have applied a dressing tonight and bandaged it to stop dirt getting in to the wound.

these things always happen around christmas time when everything is closed down

 

[Angelbones]

Oh dear that looks bad, whereabouts is it? I would defo have the vet check it out, and I would bandage it to keep it clean - something breathable over the top. If there is no infection and it is dry, I would put Equaide on it to form a scab type of shell over it, and to help prevent any proud flesh. Hope it all heals up well.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Pic is horribly out of focus so I can't really see what's going on. You don't say where the cut is either. From what I can see it looks deep and nasty and if it's anywhere near a joint you could already be in big trouble. If it's just a nasty flesh wound, be careful about religiously scrubbing it with Hibiscrub every day. You need to keep the wound clean but if you are too enthusiastic you can wash away the new cells that are trying to close the wound and you might make things worse. If it was my horse, I'd get the vet as soon as possible. That wound looks as if it needs careful assessment, antibiotics and possibly some debriding back to good skin and tissue. Good luck and please let us know how she does x

 

[appylass]

[ QUOTE ]
Pic is horribly out of focus so I can't really see what's going on. You don't say where the cut is either. From what I can see it looks deep and nasty and if it's anywhere near a joint you could already be in big trouble. If it's just a nasty flesh wound, be careful about religiously scrubbing it with Hibiscrub every day. You need to keep the wound clean but if you are too enthusiastic you can wash away the new cells that are trying to close the wound and you might make things worse. If it was my horse, I'd get the vet as soon as possible. That wound looks as if it needs careful assessment, antibiotics and possibly some debriding back to good skin and tissue. Good luck and please let us know how she does x

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely agree with this, I would want veterinary advice asap.

 

[fingers_crossed]

manuka honey may help

 

[kerilli]

as above, get vet. if it's near/on a joint, get vet TODAY, seriously. i'd sponge very gently with saline not hibiscrub), prob put a dry bandage over it, and get vet to investigate thoroughly.
as above, manuka honey seems to be the big new thing in wound healing, but it has to be MEDICAL GRADE manuka honey, not the edible version...!

 

[glenruby]

Agree with kerilli - medical grade Manuka honey only.
If its over a joint get the vet out asap. Dont wash the actual wound with hibiscrub - use saline (yoy can use hibiscrub around the wound edges but preferably not in the wound). If its in such a place as woodchips can get into it then it should be bandaged. If its a lower leg wound as i presume it is then it should be bandaged to avoid proud flesh. If your horse is not lame (or not >1/10th lame) then if you are satisfie that you can clean it properly and bandage sufficently then it may be ok to do it without vet seeing it but i would ring your vet for advice anyway.
Flamazine is probably the best cream to apply over that wound as the silver sulfadiazine has good healing properties. Medical grade manuka honey can be good too but ask for your vets advice first.
From a personal opinion that looks like quite a dirty wound and i would be getting the vet out to clean and bandage it asap.

 

[jennystreek]

thanks for your comments. The wound is on her hind leg near the bottom of the fetlock. I must admit that the photo is horrendous (taken from my mobile and im rubbish with things like that!) and was taken in the morning after she'd been in her stable, so there is residue cream everywhere, plus woodchips clinging on to the wound (which makes it look like puss).

I was wanting to keep it open to the air to dry out, but decided to bandage last night and it looks so much better today - I stupidly forgot to take another photo, but will do tomorrow.

I certainly havnt been scrubbing the wound with hibiscrub - just pouring it over gently - same with the salt water.

Will see how it is in the morning, but Im confident that it will be better. She isnt lame on it, so that has to be a positive! I will also post another photo to show the difference - it certainly looks much cleaner....

Could anyone post a link to where I can buy manuka honey from? Ive looked on www.manukahoney.co.uk but want to be sure that those products are the correct ones to get... thanks x

 

[glenruby]

I believe Activon is one of the most used medical grade manuka honeys I would think you might have to purchase it from a pharmacy but not sure as we get it wholesale from veterinary suppliers.

 

[PurplePickle]

Make sure your vet jumps on this asap. my horse cut the same area 6 weeks ago and his leg is still infected and still oozing yellow stuff, hes on his 6th week of antibiotics and box rest and infections really took a hold Its cost me £600 and counting

 

[Dolcé]

I would try some arnica too, it should reduce any swelling and promote healing