Sutured wound on foreleg - would you bandage for turnout?

[milliepops]

I posted on Monday night about a horse I look after that injured itself on the side of a bath, requiring quite a few stitches The owner's vet came to stitch it and left me to dress it afterwards which seemed odd

Anyway, the vet came to see the horse again yesterday morning but I was at work so couldn't speak to him direct. He didn't take the dressing off as far as I'm aware but left some antibiotic sachets for her etc.

The owner was there to speak to the vet, and he tells me that she was to keep her dressing on today in the field, and then from tomorrow to go out with no dressing. I'm a bit worried about this because it is a large wound and she likes to roll and scrub about in the mud. I was going to phone the vet later on to try and speak to him directly, but just wondered what others would do?

A different vet (from different practice) who came to do a biopsy on a friend's horse recommended that the stitched area was covered for several days, so this approach seems a bit odd especially as the wound is much larger. Apart from that I haven't had much experience with stitches, and we aren't expecting the vet to come back again until the stitches are due to come out.

 

[doris2008]

I personally would want to keep any potentially bacteria absorbing area covered up until a certain degree of healing has taken place. I would ring the vet or your vet for a chat - they are usually happy to speak over the phone & advise about these things.

 

[fatpiggy]

I wouldn't be turning out, full stop. Not for at least 3 or 4 days and then in a very small space with plenty to eat and keep all 4 feet on the ground. Many years ago I had surgery on the inside of my elbow. The day after I escaped from hospital I'd got a date in my diary for a string quartet session with friends and I didn't want to let them down, so I unwound the bandage (so that I could straighten my arm!) and played for 3 hours. The knots at the end of the stitches got pulled inside the wound and all the stitches went a bit slack which resulted in the scar gaping much more than it should have. I got questioned by the nurses at the hospital but denied all knowledge

 

[milliepops]

OK, thanks both - at least I know I'm not being over protective! the whole experience with this vet practice has been interesting... Not helped by the owner thinking I'm fussing too much already Will give them a call and try to have a chat about it.

 

[BigRed]

I think one of your problems might be that messages are being passed and things always get confused/contorted in situations like this. It always best to speak to the vet directly and then you know exactly what he/she wants you to do.

 

[kelz07]

my mare cut her leg on the electric fence rope on monday and had 2 massive cuts on her hind leg, the vet came to stitch and dress the wounds and has been again today taken off all the bandages had a look and then put all fresh bandages back on. She is on box rest until i am told otherwise and he is coming again on monday to have another look. She is on antibotoics and bute. I am not allowed to even walk her out in hand so i am suprised you will be allowed to turn out, if i was you i would ring the vet and have a chat to see what he/she said because at the end of the day you don't want to make it worse than it is.

Hope this helps x

 

[milliepops]

Thanks, yes I spoke to the vet last night and they were still keen on her being turned out during the day, but agreed that it was sensible to keep a dressing on after I explained that she likes digging in the mud! fortunately (in a way) she is a bit lame which puts her off hoolying round the field - they did say she could have some bute if crippled but she is happy enough at walk.

Odd isn't it - they aren't my practice and the advice is quite different to what I'm used to!

 

[Shysmum]

There's a horse at my old yard that's recovering from a serious incident from sheep wire on his hind leg...the vet advised bandaging and turnout, and antibiotics. There is no way he could have gone out without protection on the wound, tho he is still very lame. Not sure why he isn't in tbh.