Hole-In-Head Horse Update (Warning - graphic)

Now the room has stopped spinning..........

<font color="blue">It's even more fascinating in real life - such a shame I couldn't stuff the camera down there as there really was so much more to see. </font>

Tia, what are you like!!!

Actually, I was rather disappointed to see there were no abscesses full of pus
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Hi,

Those photos are amazing. Please can I ask, what sort of a hay feeder did your horse hurt it's leg on? Was it one of those round ones that are designed to go around haylage bales?

I think the phots are amazing, but I am a bit squeamish! I do hope she makes a good speedy recovery.

xx
 
OMG how big is that hole !!!
blimey o reilly !!!
whoa bejesus !!!
( just recovering)
i cant imagine your reaction when you first saw it i think i know what mine would have been
SHEER PANIC !!!
best of luck for a full recovery.
 
I confess I never worry about graphic warnings - I think I've seen some VERY ghastly things in my day. But that head injury floored me - TBH it didn't occur to me that an injury like that WOULDN'T be fatal (shows just how tricky it is to shoot a horse, doesn't it!) I DID have a horse with a much larger hole once - also from a gate post - but that was in its chest!

The leg injury was nasty too - you're obviously a good nurse to get it healing so well.
 
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Sorry had to rush off to do more hay runs
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. Have I ever told you all how much I love having a hay farm
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In answer to the questions; no she isn't going to have a plate put in. All ragged bone has been sawn or cheese-wired off and it is now smooth. Skin should grow back together eventually and although I've never actually seen this injury at this stage before, I have seen the results of one healed over and to be honest you really can't see the scarring. When you prod the area it is just softer, a bit like the skin over the supra-orbital really. Hole is deep as it smashed through to the sinus cavity, as some of you said. Hole is being packed with 8 inch long gauze sausage. Once skin has grown over a bit more, vet is planning to plug it (not sure what with mind you).

I always worry about infection with these types of wounds but so far, touch wood, I've never had one of these horrid open wounds become infected. Remember all horses here are kept outside 24/7 so they are out in the fresh air all the time and my vet is very much on my wavelength as he is also a big advocate for keeping bandaging and wrapping to a minimum.

Yes I am very pleased with our little App yearling. His leg will always bear a scar but it is very insignificant in comparison to what it was. Yes he had a bit of a freak accident on a big round tombstone feeder. They are designed specifically for horses, however I guess they aren't designed for foals to roll around next to them and then get their leg caught in it.
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Both wounds obviously would have been stitched IF there was any skin to stitch, but in both these cases this was not possible.
 
That is a horrendous head injury, but it looks as if it is doing well so far, you are obviously doing a great job.

The leg wound has healed amazingly well, it never ceases to amaze me how the body can heal itself after incredible trauma.
 
Thanks for the pics Tia.
As others have said, wound looks nice and clean.
I have seen many extensive wounds heal over by granulation alone (Intensive care nurse for 23 years) but I will be interested to see if this is going to heal without some sort of connection to the outside world given that the wound is over a sinus.
Mind you, nature is a wonderful healer.
Tia, I would be like you, having a good look around inside that wound! In fact, I probably would be tempted to borrow an endoscope and have a REALLY good look!
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The flies are troublesome wee beggars, aren't they?
I swear by a product called Dermatect (I think it might be carr,day and martin, it's in a yellow and black bottle)
It's a spray for covering minor wounds, but the reason I think it would be useful in this case is because it has superb fly repellant properties.
Once your wound was all packed and dressed, a wee squoosh of this stuff on top would keep the flies away all day.
 
God, I'm glad I hadn't had my breakfast when I opened this post! Despite feeling slightly queasy now, it does look a very 'healthy' wound, and it's wonderful to see how that leg has healed, I followed your posts on that last year with interest.

Hope this filly doesn't give you too much grief as you nurse her, typical that it wasn't an 'easy' horse that was injured!
 
Very interesting - the appy injury - my mare did a something a little like that on her hind leg - managed to kick 5' high and catch on the two strands of barb wire we had very high up (daft cleveland bay would go through anything else) and proceeded to saw her left in half.

She made a full recovery even grew back bay hair and the scar was hardly noticeable in the end, but it was a bit of a yucky one to look after, especially with having to get the proud flesh to reduce with copper sulphate and picking off the huge scabs that formed.

Hope grumpy mare continues to behave herself and recovers ok - I too would be wanting to see more of the inside - you don't get many opportunites to do this.
 
Wow! I missed your posts where you've reported the initial injury, but that is one heck of a hole! Best of luck with the healing - it's looking good so far, though!
 
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