Infected navel?

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barley

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I had a gorgeous colt foal born 5 days ago and following posts on here I decided to use hibiscrub on his navel when he was born. I sprayed his navel twice a day for 2 days then have left it to dry. Today when I fetched him in from the field his mother kept sniffing his navel so I had a look and it looks quite moist. The skin around it isnt red and there isnt any smell but was just wondering does this sound like the start of an infection? He had an antibiotic injection when the vet checked him at a day old.
 
Personally i don't use hibiscrub as I don't think it's strong enough and also I treat the stump for much longer than 2 days. I use a spray that is specifically for the umbilicus and use it 3 times a day for about 5 days until the stump is completely shrivelled...If I were you I would treat it again now twice daily again and keep a close eye on it
 
So which spray do you use? I have always used purple spray and never had any problems but I have followed the iodine or hibiscrub debate on here and decided that as it is what the vets would clean wounds with it has got to be pretty good.
 
I always use tetcin antibiotic (blue) spray on mine...I'm sure some will say it's too strong but I've never had a problem in 20 years. I just don't trust the antibacterials like hibiscrub or even iodine.
I'd have a chat with your vet just incase it is infected though..hope all is well
smile.gif
 
An antiseptic should be better than an antibiotic as antiseptics kill all bacteria whereas antibiotics are often specific in what they do. Antibiotics will either be bacteriocidal which means they kill some but not all types of bacteria or bacteriostatic which means they just stop some but not all bacteria multiplying.

To make sure all bacteria are killed you should use an antiseptic and Hibiscrub is more effective than Iodine and is much more broad spectrum than any antibiotic available. However if you are at all worried about infection get your vet out quick. Better to be overcautious than to risk joint ill.
 
The problem with hibiscrub is that it is wet and any bacteria can be carried in the moisture up the stump. The important thing is to get the stump dry and shrivelled as quick as poss. Its just the same with human babies. Its a long time ago, but I was even told not to get the navel wet on my new babies when bathing them until it was completely healed. Iodine and purple spray have a drying effect. Call a vet now and describe it to him/her. It really depends on what you mean by moist. Hope this helps.
 
We dip in dilute Hibiscrub right away, and soon as it is dried we back that up with spray, and use spray when it needs redoing. I rarely need to do more than twice though.
 
I would call the vet and try and speak to someone. Cause its a really high risk of infection. My foals didnt seem to be drying up and I spoke to the stallion owner and she said to call the vet he came and cortorised it and he had to be on antibiotics for 5 days.
 
Thanks for the replies. After I engaged my brain and had a proper look I'm pretty sure he has patent urachus not an infection. The vet is coming tomorrow morning to have a look. I will try to put some pictures on of the handsome little man too.
 
Hibiscrub is not an appropriate navel dressing because of the scrub component; hibitane/chlorhexidine solution should be used. Weak iodine is also suitable, but as others have said tetracycline sprays aren't necessary.

A patent urachus occurs when the tube that runs from the bladder to the umbilical cord that voids urine during foetal life does not close at birth and continues to drip urine.
 
I have used liquids in the past but after a post here last year I used CX powder (Chlorhexidine acetate ) for the first time, it was absolutely brilliant, easy to apply and because it is a powder the naval was completely hard and dry within hours of birth preventing any further risk of infection. I did give a few more applicatons just in case. It is now permanently in the foaling box. I have used it on a cut on my arm as well and it gets the thumbs up here too!
 
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