prolonged hot poulticing = not good?

[happy_talk]

My mare cut her foot a week ago. It was a mess and infected. She's on antibiotics and I'm changing a hot poultice twice a day, with a daily soaking in warm salty water. The wound has improved so much- no longer "inside out" and the hole is filling in well. I'm still getting "gunk" out with the poultice.
Somebody has said i need to leave it to the air soon as keeping the skin damp is bad. Whilst i accept this, I don't think i have an option whilst the wound is still open (not level with skin yet), flies and dirt. Will hot poulticing damage/impair the healing process at some point?

 

[Thistle]

I believe wet poulticing is only recommended for 5 days then change to dry animalintex with something like dermagel

 

[Diggerdog]

Moist wound healing is less likely to cause scarring than letting it dry out. "Letting the air get to it" is slightly old-fashioned thinking.

Your vet will be able to advise you the best type of dressing to use.

 

[LauraBR]

A week is a long time to be getting gunk out still. Are you absolutely sure the gunk is coming out of the hole and isn't just the gunky stuff that comes out of the wet animalintex? I only ask because I made that mistake a few years ago, and I have seen a few friends make it since!!!!

I would speak to your vet, and seek their advice; they may want you to switch to dry poultices for a bit to allow the foot to dry out a bit.

 

[happy_talk]

the poultice leaves a clear/colourless "gel" but over the wound there is yellow-brown ish gunk- I'm assuming this is pus, or does the animalintex discolour??

 

[happy_talk]

vet is currently operating, so will speak to her later.