Puncture wounds - some questions?

[Jericho]

My horse decided he would take on the electric fencing last Monday and unfortunately it looks like one of the plastic stakes has caught him right in the inside if his hock joint resulting in a short wide gash about the size of a ten pence piece. Hard to tell if it had gone that deep but certainly about a cm. By time I brought him in the wound had stopped bleeding and it looked like it had bled a fair bit so I hoped it had flushed itself out but hosed it off and applied antibacterial cream. Next day it was hot and puffy, and weeping, and he was ibviously sore so cold hosed it off, vet came, had a look but not too closely as horse not happy about being prodded. He was walking gingerly but was weight bearing so vet said it hadn't affected the joint and prescribed 4 days of antibiotics and bute and said keep out as much possible, and leave alone other than trying to keep clean and applying a prescribed antibacterial cream. 5 days on, the wound still looks fresh although not as deep and is still seeping a little clear fluid. The hock is still warm too touch and is puffy in the morning after being in but this improves once turned out. He is fine with it being touched. I rang vet who has prescribed another 4 days of antibs and said see how it goes - because of where it is and if it was a puncture wound it is still trying to get rid of something inside or infection if there is still some seeping.

I don't like the weeping and am hosing it out gently every day to clean it otherwise it goes crusty and dirty and I feel it is blocking the infection in. The fact it is still rather hot and swollen is saying that it isn't 100% right still. Am I expecting too much too soon 7 days after for a puncture wound?

 

[SusieT]

is your vet an equine vet or mixed veT?
Personally I'd be getting him down to a really good vet- could be weeping is normal or could be joint fluid leaking, might need flushed.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

If the wound is at a joint and is still weeping I would be worried about synovial fluid being lost and vet needs to reassess..but wound could still be weeping cos you are hosing away the normal scabbing process which will allow bacteria easy access.

 

[Goldenstar]

Get the horse into a decent vet hospital sedated and properly checked as soon as you can , anything clearish weeping out of a wound near a joint must be treated seriously your right to be worried, better safe than sorry .

 

[Redders]

Also ask about a regional profusion- they cannulate a strong antibiotic into the affected area, it's v effective as the anti biotic goes straight to the site rather than through whole system. It doesn't cost the earth either. Mine was £75