This is quite the injury (graphic) - curious as to others' opinions

[Dazednconfused]

The farm I work for just got in a new horse with one of the ugliest injuries I've seen on a horse in my fifteen-plus years. Of course we are consulting with the vet - he has already seen him and we're considering several options at this point. This goes without saying but there's always someone...:winkgrin: He's receiving bute & SMZs and I think we've settled on an appropriate wrapping protocol. We're trying to keep him contained in a box stall with some short spurts in a large grass paddock off the stall to keep him happy (especially GI-wise with the bute).

The horse is a 20 year old gelding - former foxhunter & jumper. He is otherwise healthy and shockingly enough, quite sound on the foot (I'd say 1/5 at most). He had a run-in with some sheet metal and has taken off most of the inside right front bulb of the foot in addition to quite a bit of flesh above it (he is barefoot). There's nothing really to suture left. Luckily for us at his age he is quiet and not likely to do anything stupid like run hell-bent for leather on it and he's being a fabulous patient so far. Jingles & advice from those who have dealt with this kind of problem, if there are any of you out there would be appreciated. I'm not terribly hopeful about it healing but you never know. He's such a sweet old guy and we want to do what's best for him.

The photos here are not very good but will give an idea. I may take my real camera out tomorrow so we can track the healing (or lack thereof). Like I said the photos are pretty graphic - not for the weak stomach! This is four days post-injury.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1814/46865490116388816750.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3571/46865461816388805610.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/1344/46865432116388794360.jpg


I have my own ideas with the vet consult on what to do but thought the vast experience of COTH might have some helpful suggestions. Thanks for looking!

[MistyPony]

No suggestions, but you weren't kidding about those pics being graphic! I have a pretty solid stomach usually, but that last one gave me a couple churns in the belly. Good luck!

[Diamondindykin]

Believe it or not I had a mare with a similar injury but it was on the front of her foot not the bulb and hers was just as bad as this one if not a little worse. She went to kick at my other mare and her foot went through the side of the metal barn. When she pulled it out she literally sliced all the skin and meat off to the bone. There was NOTHING to suture. We kept it wrapped for months and it healed better than expected. Although she is still missing hair in that spot she grew back somewhat of a skin. She was never lame a day during the whole thing!!

While the pictures look horrific he should heal just fine if you can keep infection from setting in. We used some new high tech pads under the bandaging that worked fantastic. We also used some some proud flesh medication during the last phase of healing to prevent any proud flesh.

I have some pictures somewhere. I will post some before and after pictures if I can find them.

Good luck and jingles!!

[Dazednconfused]

Great to hear, Diamondindykin. Can you tell me more about the pads under the bandaging? And what kind of bandaging did you use? I'm using a combination of cotton, gauze, elastikon, and duct tape.

I'd like to add that we've stuck him on a full dose of Platinum Performance & Farrier's Formula.

[Diamondindykin]

Great to hear, Diamondindykin. Can you tell me more about the pads under the bandaging? And what kind of bandaging did you use? I'm using a combination of cotton, gauze, elastikon, and duct tape.

I'd like to add that we've stuck him on a full dose of Platinum Performance & Farrier's Formula.

Let me call the vet clinic and see if they can look in her file.

In the beginning we changed the bandages every other day. Closest to the wound was the pad, then gauze, then a cotton wrap that was kind of like a standing wrap and then topped off with vet wrap. Hopefully your guy is better than my mare because we had to put a catheter in her so we could sedate her every bandage change!!!! She was pretty bad to deal with but the sedations worked great..........just VERY expensive. When we changed the bandage we just cleaned it with sterile water and rewrapped it. Nothing fancy just time to heal the wound.

[Dazednconfused]

That would be super cool and I very much appreciate it.

This guy is being a total rockstar about the bandage changes so far. He gets a bit irritated when removing the cotton but that's no surprise. Trying to be gentle about it.

Luckily his owners are willing to do whatever we need to do to get this healed (or euthanize him if we can't). Because he's been so good so far, is remarkably sound, and is eating well, we're going to continue to pursue it.

[Equibrit]

That is not so bad really. I had a horse drive a stick up throught his foot and clear through the bulb (left rear left bulb). He got SMZ's and wrapped with icthamol as the vet thought he just had an abcess. When I unwrapped the first dressing after a few days I removed the necrotic bulb with the stick attached and had a large hole straight through where his bulb should be. I used Equaide and kept the shoe on the foot to retain it's integrity. I kept it scrupulously clean and bandaged with the equaide next to the wound, re-bandaging twice a day. The whole bulb grew back, if somewhat wonky, but the horse is not and never was lame.
Next to the wound was equaide, then gauze sponge, then gauze bandage, then vetwrap, then duct tape, which cradled the bulb and was tucked under the shoe to stop any chance of removal. It took a few weeks, but he was fine and the only way you would know is that his heel is funky shaped.

Equaide is awesome. http://www.equaide.com/

[SpottedTApps]

Gag.

If it were my horse, I'd wash every day with a betadine solution and spray with Schrieners before wrapping. For wrapping I would use the sterile, no stick pads, then a few of the cheaper gauze pads, the tan gauze wrap before the elasticon. As it's around the hoof, I'd then use duct tape.

As time went on, hopefully could back off to bandage changes every other day, and have to start watching for proud flesh. If it became an issue, apply panalog during bandage changes.

[JB]

Gosh, I was expecting something really horrific from your build-up :lol:

Not that this isn't something to sneeze at :) I was expecting more like the horse in a fairly recent Equus, who completely chopped off about 1/3 of his foot, including part of the coffin bone :eek:

Instead of cotton right on the wound, ask the vet about using feminine pads - super absorbant, don't stick, and you can tape them with some surgical tape so they stay put.

I bet this heals very well, actually. How much damage is there to the actual coronet band? That will be the biggest issue long-term - how healthy will hoof growth be. It won't be very good if there is significant damage. But, the Equus case study didn't HAVE a coronet band in that section of the foot, and he was pasture sound, and sound (enough) for light trail rides here and there with a shoe :)

[Dazednconfused]

I thought about using something like Equiaide. The sprouting of proudflesh in this injury seems like it will be a foregone conclusion so definitely want to keep on top of that. I'm a little concerned they don't provide an ingredient list on their product though - anyone know what's in it?

[jaimebaker]

Gonna second the Equiade. Had a similar injury, not quite so bad where my filly shaved the back of her pastern down to the heel bulb off by pawing a fence and getting her foot hung in it. 3 months of diligent medicating it and nothing to show but a wad of proud flesh and a wound that wouldn't heal. Got some Equaide, applied and kept wrapped for 48 hours. When I unwrapped it, I literally cried. All of the proud flesh was gone and the wound was flush with the surround skin again. I took photos of it all along the way. Took a little over a month or so IIRC to heal with the Equaide. I keep it on hand now. It's expensive but worth it's weight in gold if you ask me.

[Equibrit]

I didn't really care what was in the equaide, cos it really worked ! It is the same colour as Wonder Dust though, but liquid.

[Dazednconfused]

Like I said the photos aren't very good - this really is one of the worst injuries I've ever seen and I've seen some doozies. I don't get Equus but I'll have to see if I can find that issue. Luckily it doesn't appear any bone is involved (phew, thankgoodness for small favors :rolleyes: )

I would say the coronet band is gone in that section of the foot.

Already washing it every day with Betadine, so that's taken care of.

Interesting idea about the pads, JB, thanks. Definitely something to consider.This horse only 'needs' to be pasture sound btw - like I said, the owners are great and are willing to do whatever needs to be done. He was already basically retired previously - at 20 years old, just being happy & healthy is the important thing.

[mht]

I had a yearling do much worse to the bulb of a back hoof. Just kept it clean and bandaged. She went on to race, was never lame. If you didn't know where the injury was, you would have a difficult time finding the scar.

[jaimebaker]

I didn't really care what was in the equaide, cos it really worked ! It is the same colour as Wonder Dust though, but liquid.

Yeah, me neither. I'm pretty sure it has a guarantee to it as well.

[Grataan]

I've had good luck anesthetizing, debriding, suturing what can be sutured and packing the rest and then casting in a shortleg/hoof cast.

[Calamber]

I would not wash with Betadine anymore, it is very irritating and is burning what healing processes have begun. As one of the respondents answered with their severe wound, just wash out with sterile water. One of the best wound care vets I ever worked with said that the ph balance of the skin and structures is very important for the wound, we used zinc oxide on flesh and tissue type wounds quite frequently (not recommending for this one), and he told me not to use Betadine after the initial injury cleansing process, and even then, it was to be dilute.

I am going to look up that Equiaide product, that sounds very promising.

[Gry2Yng]

not to use Betadine after the initial injury cleansing process

agreed. In an effort to keep a wound clean we can end up scrubbing off the new tissue.

[Pippigirl]

I'd pack with raw honey then put the femine pads on or try the Dr. Underwoods stuff.

[jaimebaker]

I wouldn't use straight betadine, but a weak tea of betadine would be fine. I had a horse impale himself on a T-post this year that left a puncture wound over 6 inches deep. The only thing my vets told me to do was syringe it out with a weak betadine solution (should be the color of weak tea). It sucked because I felt there should have been more I could do, but that's what worked. But on an external wound like that, I think there are more promising remedies besides betadine.

[jollytrak]

ouch :eek: but not as bad as I thought it would be!

another product to try is vetericyn, it might be similar to equaide. I haven't had the chance to use it yet... knock on wood :lol: but have some ready cause it looked interesting :winkgrin:

http://www.vetericyn.com/

to help with proud flesh... get some silver nitrate sticks.

the only other thing would be to clip the longer hair above the wound.

good luck and can't wait for more pictures.

[Tamara in TN]

[QUOTE=Dazednconfused;4548992]The farm I work for just got in a new horse with one of the ugliest injuries I've seen on a horse in my fifteen-plus years.

it is a little icky ain't it...?

we have had good success with furacin
+ dmso 2x2's under sweat wraps held by vet wrap...

changed every day in the beginning and then every other day later on...

and caustic paste under the wraps to burn off the proud flesh you created...

takes a few months but it's not impossible to fix...

[Leather]

Do a search of the forums for "amnion"--some people here have used it to help heal bad wounds.

An article on its use with lower leg wounds: http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/illnesses_injuries/eqamnion03/

[Ruth0552]

What did your vet recommend about bandaging and cleaning?

I agree with others about the betadine... maybe you could just rinse it with some dilute chlorehexaderine (sp??) solution?

I second the non-stick pads. You can get them at the drug store and your horsey will really appreciate it!!

[Dazednconfused]

We just got hit with a huge rainstorm so keeping it dry is going to be a challenge. Supposed to continue through saturday :dead: I'll try to keep updating with photos though I don't think I'll break out my good camera in this rain.

Definitely can pick up some Nolvasan tomorrow instead of the betadine - in the past I've done betadine several days and then gone to nolvasan/chlorahexadine.

Thanks again for all the advice and opinions. I'm feeling a little more hopeful about our old guy.

[AKB]

We had a similar wound about 7 years ago. The coronary band on our horse was not damaged. We changed the bandage daily, using Silvadene (silver sulfadiazine) cream, a piece of gauze or paper towel, and a roll of vet wrap on top. The cut took many months to heal. At one point, about 2 months after the injury, our referral hospital vet recommended surgically removing part of the wound and trying to stitch as much as they could closed. I did not want that done, as he is an older horse and does not do well with procedures. Eventually the wound healed, and there is only a tiny scar.

[Dazednconfused]

Sorry, no pics today folks - too wet. He's hanging in there though. Will try to update more tomorrow.

[horseladi78]

Bannix! Stuff works wonderfully and i have seen it heal injuries just like that wonderfully. just spray and wrap

[caballus]

I and those who have used this swear by it -- Calendula. Natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, coagulant and promotes rapid tissue growth. Can make a spray or flush by mixing (shaking thoroughly) oil and water together then use the ointment to treat topically before bandaging. In addition, to help the body heal itself, Calendula Homeopathic remedy 30c. Give one dose 3X day for 3 days. The topical also helps to prevent proud flesh and reduces scarring.

[horseowner40]

Yikes that is ugly, I had a stallion several years ago that a vet injected wrong and he loss flesh from his upper neck to his chest, I could see his main artery, it took me 5 months to get him to grow new skin, and I had to cut his proud flesh off weekly, long story short he lived, but did have scarring, so I believe that this horse with proper care will be OK, it will take some time and a lot of TLC. After it heals and there is no more proud flesh and the wound is closed, use preperation H daily, this shrinks the scarring and grows new hair back, anyways that is my 2 cents worth, Jingles your way.:)

[Dazednconfused]

I and those who have used this swear by it -- Calendula. Natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, coagulant and promotes rapid tissue growth. Can make a spray or flush by mixing (shaking thoroughly) oil and water together then use the ointment to treat topically before bandaging. In addition, to help the body heal itself, Calendula Homeopathic remedy 30c. Give one dose 3X day for 3 days. The topical also helps to prevent proud flesh and reduces scarring.

No offense but weren't you the one suggesting on another thread suggesting people give their horses fruits, vegetables, coconut, etc? :lol::lol: Thanks, but no - we plan to use scientifically-validated remedies to the issue. I guess this is a good example of taking what you need and leaving the rest, if nothing else :yes:

[Weighaton]

Don't forget that good disposable diapers make great bandages under wraps. Wrapping with a diaper and then duct tape would keep it clean and dry if necessary.

[Bluey]

We had a five year old mare injure her front leg worse than that running in a brushy pasture, we don't know how, where you could see the ligaments like spaghetti floating in there and some of the bone.
It healed well, but left a large ridge scar there and she was never quite right after that.
The vet could not find anything other than the big scar was pulling and that was making her a little off, but she was not really limping.
Anyway, we kept her for a broodmare after that.

The healing part went very well, no infection or any problems from it.
We washed it every day at first, then two days and ran water over it for ten minutes.
Then we sprayed with a yellow Furacin spray, wrapped it with a Tefla pad with a very light coating of Furacine, just enough so it would not stick, a cotton roll and Elasticon.

I hope your horse will do as well as she did for us.

[caballus]

No offense but weren't you the one suggesting on another thread suggesting people give their horses fruits, vegetables, coconut, etc? :lol::lol: Thanks, but no - we plan to use scientifically-validated remedies to the issue. I guess this is a good example of taking what you need and leaving the rest, if nothing else :yes:
Ummmmmm, actually yes I was. And my guys, along with others who are eating fresh veggies, etc. are doing wonderfully. Their coats are softer, their hooves are harder and stronger, they are all gaining weight and have more energy. So what works, works, I guess. The year I DIDN'T feed 'salads' the horses and ponies all went downhill in their general condition. Others have reported the same. What's wrong with fresh vegetables, fruits nuts and seeds for horses anyway? Are they not 'designed' to eat forages? They utilize the nutrients from forages a heck of alot better than those from processed feeds that get digested quickly in the foregut. The digestion of forages also helps them to stay warm and keep the motility of the gut in good working order. But to each his/her own, I guess. I'm glad you find this humorous, btw.

As for the Calendula? I think if you did some research on your own you'd find there are a number of scientific studies done for the efficacy of Calendula.

[Fharoah]

I think I would wash with a saline or hibitane soap. Dry and apply derma gel which does have some calendula in it, apply tefla pads,gauze, gamgee and vet wrap every other day.

Good luck!

[fourmares]

Been there, done that...panalog ointment, non-stick pads, cling gauze, sheet cotton, brown gauze, vet wrap... go by a finger nail brush. When you unwrap scrub with betadine scrub, use minimal water to rinse. Proud flesh bleeds a lot, but it has no nerve endings. Pat dry. Apply panalog to the non-stick pad, apply pad to wound, apply pressure wrap. Expect hoof to grow back with a scar in it... if you can't get panalog you can use Nolvasan Ointment which is significantly cheaper... don't use furasin... it creates proud flesh.

[fourmares]

I have to add that Calendula is quite effective in wound therapy. You might try the homopathic tablets even if you prefer not to use the topical.

[GatoGordo]

I've had good luck anesthetizing, debriding, suturing what can be sutured and packing the rest and then casting in a shortleg/hoof cast.

If they don't want to anesthetize him, the vet can still block the foot and debride the proud flesh and do any suturing that might be done.

It sounds like you are pretty much on the right track, it just takes time. Getting good pressure from the bandage discourages proud flesh, and a combination steroid/antibacterial cream can be used if it wants to grow back. You also really want to discourage movement as much as possible, which I think is why Grataan suggested a cast. If casting is not an option, you have to keep a solid bandage on there until it heals.

You may already be doing this (it wasn't quite clear to me, but maybe I just have issues with reading), but I would do a bandage like this (based on seeing multiple vets bandage many horses):
- Telfa or other non-stick pad
- roll of gauze around the pastern and hoof to hold the Telfa in place and apply gentle/firm pressure
- roll cotton from heel to fetlock
- Vetrap over the whole thing
- Elastikon - preferably wrapped tightly around the whole roll cotton but at least at the top to keep dirt from getting down in there (I know Elastikon is $$)
- Duct tape over the hoof

Another thing I have seen done to try to apply more pressure and limit movement is to take a short piece of thick leg cotton, fold it in half or thirds (to make a rectangle), and place it under the hoof and up the pastern (but below the fetlock), then wrap around it, so it makes sort of a soft splint-like thing. When you wrap tightly over it, it makes the pastern less able to flex.

You can get leg cotton in bulk from Heartland Vet - $33 gets you 10 yards, or enough to make 10-12 bandages.
Roll Cotton (http://www.heartlandvetsupply.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=1908)

Gauze Rolls (http://www.heartlandvetsupply.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=1665)

[RiverBendPol]

I'd agree with 99% of these ideas, except the Calendula-it never make one spec of difference for my mother's shin when she whacked it against the lawn mower and had a big non-healing wound!:eek: I would definitely clip that shaggy hair away, however. It is working hard to gather up all the loose bacteria in the place and deposit it in the wound. I'd also be sure my wrap went well below the heel and down under the hoof to keep crud from getting worked up from below. Elasticon at bottom and top of wrap. I'd also take the cotton and Vetrap wrap up above the fetlock. It'll help keep crud from going down from the top.
Silvadene Cream is the best stuff for a scrap-wound like this. Never DMSO on an open wound. Good luck, I'm glad he's such a good patient. I hope you'll post some more pix as he heals.

[winfieldfarm]

I agree with the caution about Bentadine. I've had many vets tell me that the caustic nature of Bentadine can make the good new tissue irritated.

Whatever you do to heal it, I would suggest taking the clippers to his lower leg to get the hair pretty short. You'll have an easier time monitoring proud flesh, drying his leg after a washing and just have an easier time keeping it treated and clean. Also, I have found from experience that shaved skin holds Elasticon tape better than a full hair coat, if you have to tape a bandage to the skin.

If the old guy triesd to chew on whatever bandages you apply, I have found the best deterant is to loosely wrap the whole finished bandage with some sort of vetrap type wrap from top to bottom. Then apply Wraplast to the vetrap. Wraplast is extremely good for keeping a horse's mouth off it's bandages. If you use a throw away cover like vetrap, you will not have to wash and reuse the wrap. I use the bottle with the brush over the spray because no matter how careful you are with the spray, you will get it in your mouth or eyes.

[Dazednconfused]

Good update for today - it looks to be improving already (teensy bit by teensy bit - I know it just takes time!). My phone isn't wanting to upload the photos right now but I'll try to get those up later. Washed it w/ clorohexadine this AM, dried, rewrapped, etc. The other good thing is we've moved him into a new stall in a brand new barn, so it's not only bigger but also drier. He's thinking it's pretty swanky!

Definitely not going to go with the calendula. Like I posted earlier - trying to go with a more vet recommended track. If this were a minor scrape or something I'd be willing to give it a go, but this is too serious of an injury to mess around with herbal/homeopathic stuff that isn't that likely to work anyway (and before anyone has a cow - I have used herbal remedies in the past, and sometimes they work but a lot of the time they don't.)

He's still being really good. No bandage chewing - and yes, I am going under the foot and topping it with some duct tape for good measure.

Will try again with those photos later!

[jollytrak]

thanks for the update! sounds like he's being a good patient :)

[spacely]

I did not read the whole thread but it looks similar to what my mare did last year but worse. My complicating factor was she was nearly 5 months in foal as well.

Pics below. The first 2 are of the initial injury before & after surgery. The third pic is 8 months after injury & fully healed. It looks the same today. She is sound but does not move quite the way she used to. That's ok as she is a broodmare only due to a different injury as a weanling.

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/stacey4401/DSC03733.jpg
http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/stacey4401/DSC03737.jpg
http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/stacey4401/DSC08054.jpg

Here is the entire album so you can see the healing process.
http://s707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/stacey4401/

We did not do a lot after surgery really. She had bandage changes daily for the first month or so (had to be sedated for every change), was on antibiotics for 2 weeks & I cleaned the wound with just water a few times a week after the first week of cleaning with chlorhex. I definitely did not clean it everyday unless she managed to somehow get it dirty. She was on stall rest a total of 5 months. I wasn't sure she was going to be off stall rest by the time she foaled but she was allowed back out about 6 weeks before foaling.

[Dazednconfused]

Thanks for the link to your album Spacely. It does look quite similar. I assume from the photos that flap of skin had to be removed during the surgery? So glad our guy doesn't have to be sedated every time :eek: Even though the hoof is clearly not the same since, it's cool to see she grew back that wall even where her coronet band looks to be essentially gone. Were you glad you kept her barefoot for the healing process/did you consider shoes? Just out of curiousity. Our farrier is going to be out next week sometime and he's going to take a look so we have a plan for that end of things as well...


Okay, got the photos to work finally. Going to clip that fetlock hair off on monday, that should help I think.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/705/46964268716426561274464.jpg
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8038/46964320716426580120.jpg

Oh, and I shouldn't say he's the perfect patient...he sees me coming with his syringe of meds morning and night and he puts on the brakes and says "Ohhellzno, lady!" :lol: I've always been a big proponent of doing that kind of medicating in paste form so I can be 100% sure they get all of it, esp. with the antibiotics, and luckily I'm pretty stealthy about it....

[spacely]

Yes, the flap was necrotic & had to be removed during surgery. This mare can be a little funny about her feet, so sedation to do bandage changes was absolutely necessary. She eventually got to the point where I didn't have to sedate her but it was quite a ways into the healing process.

She has always been barefoot being a broodmare, but had she needed a shoe(s), I would have gone ahead & done so. I am not into the whole barefoot thing, so if one needs shoes, that's what they get. She remains barefoot still & is fine. She will obviously always have a defect in her hoof, but my farrier is taking great care of it. I'd try to leave you guy barefoot IMO as to not restrict or put pressure on the hoof in any way during healing, but if the farrier & vet think he needs a shoe, then I'd do so.

I would definitely clip the hair away from the injury if he will let you.

Luckily she ate her meds in a rice bran "soup". She was on Uniprim since it is a once daily dosing (what I could manage with my schedule) & her being in foal.

[goeslikestink]

you could buy some animal lintex to apply directly to the foot as you can use that hot or cold and it doestn stick and what it does is draw out the infection then have a big wad of cotton wool over the whole area then bandage with othband which is like cotton wool and also like bandage then vet wrap
this will become hard to the outside but soft inside

animal lintex like i said can be applied hot or cold, and will help to draw any gunk out

rather than wash or trying to scrub or what ever you use a syringe and if
washing use petherdine - its what vets use( to scrub up with ) and you can
buy that over the counter at the vets -

all you need is a dab in a bucket say a cap full in a bucket then fill the syringe and gentle rinse the horse foot off so all dirt flow out and down the foot by using a big fat syringe is a gentle way and will get in all the knooks and carnnnies of the injury with out upsetting the horse to much

dont use any kind of spray especially purple which is dyed as you wont be able to see the healing process and if the vet needs to view it at any time makes it harder for them - if you have to use a spray via vet ask for a clear one


i would also if me want the vet to xray the horse injury to see the extent inside compare to outside the horse and wha we can see i would also do this want this done with my farrier present - as qualified farriers and vets can work hand in hand and help get this horse to a more comfortable state

this horse would also need bute and anti botics as it must be very painful for him

[jaimebaker]

Here's my filly's injury after 3 months of doctoring with Nolvasan, Betadine solution and other various OTC creams and such. This photo was taken after it was cleaned up. I had just gotten in my little jar of Equaide to try because nothing else was working.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoofday1.jpg


I followed the instructions and applied the Equaide (though a little thicker than probably necessary), place a gauze over it, vetrapped and duct taped it. And waited 48 hours. This was the wound 48 hours later, after I unwrapped it.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoofday3.jpg

You can see all of the proudflesh had gone down to mostly level to the surrounding skin. If you look at the edges of the wound, you can see new skin already coming in.

Here was the wound 4 and half weeks later after using the Equaide.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoof6.jpg


I don't work for the company or have anything to gain from posting those photos. I just know when I find a product that actually WORKS I will sing its praises every where.

[Oakstable]

I have a filly who did something similar with the bulb of her foot. She was never off. I treated it and it has healed and left a scar that looks like an extension of the frog. I am going to have the vet radiograph the foot and see if he can do cosmetic surgery.

Since she is not lame, is there risk trying to pretty up the back of her foot? She is for sale.

The vet is in his 60s, tons of experience.

I have had two wounds on two other horses in the intervening months and I have learned how great Prep H (generic works fine) is to prevent proud flesh.

Photos of all these are in my laptop which is in the repair shop.

[Tamara in TN]

I wanted to add that a bit of 6-10 q tips used together can take that nasty yellow mess out of the cracks as it fills in

and hosing can blast that nasty crap out also

best

[Dazednconfused]

you could buy some animal lintex to apply directly to the foot as you can use that hot or cold and it doestn stick and what it does is draw out the infection then have a big wad of cotton wool over the whole area then bandage with othband which is like cotton wool and also like bandage then vet wrap
this will become hard to the outside but soft inside

animal lintex like i said can be applied hot or cold, and will help to draw any gunk out

rather than wash or trying to scrub or what ever you use a syringe and if
washing use petherdine - its what vets use( to scrub up with ) and you can
buy that over the counter at the vets -

all you need is a dab in a bucket say a cap full in a bucket then fill the syringe and gentle rinse the horse foot off so all dirt flow out and down the foot by using a big fat syringe is a gentle way and will get in all the knooks and carnnnies of the injury with out upsetting the horse to much

dont use any kind of spray especially purple which is dyed as you wont be able to see the healing process and if the vet needs to view it at any time makes it harder for them - if you have to use a spray via vet ask for a clear one


i would also if me want the vet to xray the horse injury to see the extent inside compare to outside the horse and wha we can see i would also do this want this done with my farrier present - as qualified farriers and vets can work hand in hand and help get this horse to a more comfortable state

this horse would also need bute and anti botics as it must be very painful for him

Did you read the thread at all?? :no: Here's a recap for you since it's relatively evident you didn't.

a) He is under the care of a qualified (and excellent, IMO) veterinarian
b) the farrier will be out this week
c) The horse is on bute
d) the horse is on antiobiotics
e) there is no purple spray on anything
f) I don't believe I said anything anywhere about scrubbing the injury (although, you may not be aware, but for both Betadine and Nolvasan to be effective you are supposed to scrub, 45 seconds IIRC for Betadine, 2-4 minutes for Nolvasan)

Thanks to everyone else for bothering to read what I've *actually* posted so far ;)

[jollytrak]

Oh, and I shouldn't say he's the perfect patient...he sees me coming with his syringe of meds morning and night and he puts on the brakes and says "Ohhellzno, lady!" :lol: I've always been a big proponent of doing that kind of medicating in paste form so I can be 100% sure they get all of it, esp. with the antibiotics, and luckily I'm pretty stealthy about it....

when one of my guys got injured and had to have shots it got so bad that i had a friend give them so i could be the 'good' guy :lol: and a big :yes: to paste/liquid meds, much easier!

thanks for the updated photos!

[yellowbritches]

hmmm...We have a horse here who is now well into his teens but I'm thinking had an injury that looked very similar to what you are dealing with as a 4 year old (didn't see the injury, just see the scar on a daily basis and the trainer we got him from had him as a 4 year old). He's sound and always has been, his foot just looks a little funky on close inspection. ;)

I'll be another voice of caution in regards to Betadine. My usual protocol is betadine (since that's what I currently have) the first time or two on most things as long as it isn't a puncture, then switch to plain water, sterile water, or, depending on the issue, a gentle scrub with a very gentle soap (like Ivory). One of the best things I've used on a nasty puncture was sterile water with genocin (sp??) in it. I'd rinse out with sterile, first, then go to the genocin laced sterile water. The horse was also on killer antibiotics.

SSD (silver sulfadizine, which someone already mentioned) is one of my favorites for nastier wounds. Lots of people have had lots of good ideas here. Sounds like you are on the right track. I don't envy you!

[Cloverbarley]

Actually you aren't supposed to scrub with Nolvasan on wounds such as this, you should only gently cleanse the area. As you said though, you haven't been scrubbing thankfully.

I second the diapers or animalintex though, both are a great means for applying whatever ointment your vet subscribes to in a gentle fashion and being large enough to wrap all around the wound so as not to rub unduly.

Its not a particularly nice wound but all the same it isn't horrific or anything like that and I think you will all be surprised at how quickly and inexpensively you can have great results. :)

I use light dustings of Furazone for injuries like this. I know many people do not like using Furazone but I have had good success with it. Manuka honey is what a lot of good vets will prescribe for injuries like this. I've seen some wonderful results that people have had with Manuka but I have personally never used it on any of my horses.

[FindersKeepers]

I think you're on a great track already. If you are still using the cotton, I'd switch to disposable diapers or maxi pads. They don't stick like cotton does. Just make sure you pick up natural ones. Some of the new maxipads have weird absorbent chemicals in them that can be really irritating... discovered that last year while wrapping a massive injury on my mare...

[Manes&Tails]

A friend of mine is dealing with what looks like the same injury as this horse. Her horse slipped her leg under the metal shed and it sliced off a hunk of her hoof when she jerked it back out.

[Timex]

It sounds like you're on the right track with your boy! Just wanted to add that, IME, wounds like that tend to LOOK really gross, but as long as you stay on top of it, tend to heal really well. Trust me, I've had 2 mares over the years try to amputate feet and limbs. Pictures would have looked like yours. And both mares came back sound and happy. Good luck!

[Dazednconfused]

No photos for today. It's looking better all the time. He was a smidge sore on it though I think that is because he got his bute a little earlier than usual yesterday evening.

Going to do a little more research on Equiaide and maybe give that a try.

[Dazednconfused]

Just a little update.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2nk6iqs.jpg

Farrier was out today. He was a rockstar of course. We just barely touched up the foot on the unaffected side (left), as we were both concerned about compromising what little is there. Clipped off that long hair on his pastern/fetlock area the other day as well. He has been a little bit painful on it yesterday and today but his appetite is still good and he's continuing to be weight-bearing - no sign of infection thus far. I'm pretty attentive by nature so any small change is something I notice quickly. Continuing with the bute and SMZs (much to his disappointment :winkgrin:). Vet will be out to reassess early next week. He will be going up to his owner's other facility tomorrow and will be in good hands so this will be the last of my photos/updates at least for awhile. I know it will just take time and patience, the latter of which has never been my strong suit! ;) Continued well-wishes for him would be much appreciated though. :)

FWIW, I'm using Telfa pads, cotton, then gauze, then elastikon, and finishing off with some duct tape for good measure.

BTW - has anyone used a product called Wellhorse? Farrier suggested it from clients who have had good luck with it. There are some interesting case studies on it but no real scientific data that I can find...wish some of these horse products would pony up and do that...

[GatoGordo]

It definitely looks and sounds like he's on the right track. Good luck!

[Dazednconfused]

Was doing a search for another topic and came across this old one of mine. Figured I should update - the horse is completely, perfectly sound today and his hoof is basically normal (he's never quarter cracked or anything of that nature). He is lightly trail ridden occasionally. Kind of crazy!

I always hate when people leave me hanging on threads with gruesome injuries, so there you are....

[AKB]

Thanks for posting. What an amazing recovery.

[Lord Helpus]

when one of my guys got injured and had to have shots it got so bad that i had a friend give them so i could be the 'good' guy :lol: and a big :yes: to paste/liquid meds, much easier!

thanks for the updated photos!

I am currently dealing with a similar wound except that it is across the bottom of the horse's neck. Evidently she tried to garrote herself (and she almost succeeded).

So, no wrapping will stay on there, and she succeeded in rubbing her stitches out despite my best efforts and we are now doing the cleaning/medicating and letting it heal from the inside out thing.

For most of this thread, I am an avid reader, learning a lot about wound care. And a lot of it is sooo different from the vet my boarder uses.:rolleyes:

My contribution to this discussion is how to get medicine down a horse's throat daily for many days in a row: add Lixotinic to the feed. Horses adore it and it coats everything in the feed bucket. I can get any kind of medicine into her I want and she never even knows it.

[I have tried corn syrup and waffle syrup, etc. but horses can still tell the medicine is in there. But not with Lixotinic.] The side benefit is that your horses will have a beautiful coat and be very sharp eyed and healthy. :yes:

[shakeytails]

I've seen much worse injuries heal just fine (like 12" gash to the bone on the hind leg that wasn't discovered for a couple of days-not my horse- that recovered sound albeit with a nice scar without the vet ever being called). I've had a few heel injuries similar to yours that have healed just fine.

My protocol for this type of injury is just to just keep it clean and wrapped. I don't call the vet for something like this because he can't do any more for it than I can since it isn't stitchable. I use betadine scrub and/or plain water to wash, slap some goo on it (often I alternate between furacin and betadine ointment) and wrap with gauze pads, Kling, and then Vetrap. As soon as possible- once it's dried up- I leave it open to air. For proud flesh I have some meat tenderizer/scarlet oil concoction my vet mixed up. Generally I don't do stall rest after the first couple of days as long as I have someplace dry to turn out; I want the horse moving to keep circulation going to the injury.

[Catersun]

I wanted to add that a bit of 6-10 q tips used together can take that nasty yellow mess out of the cracks as it fills in

and hosing can blast that nasty crap out also

best

I use sterile saline in squeezey bottle like you get for cleaning your contacts... nice pressure but doesn't soak everything so you have have to wait for forever for it to dry.

Personnally I'd do sterile wet to dry dressings and change it daily with a good sterile saline lavage each time I changed the bandage.

[Anyplace Farm]

Here's my filly's injury after 3 months of doctoring with Nolvasan, Betadine solution and other various OTC creams and such. This photo was taken after it was cleaned up. I had just gotten in my little jar of Equaide to try because nothing else was working.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoofday1.jpg


I followed the instructions and applied the Equaide (though a little thicker than probably necessary), place a gauze over it, vetrapped and duct taped it. And waited 48 hours. This was the wound 48 hours later, after I unwrapped it.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoofday3.jpg

You can see all of the proudflesh had gone down to mostly level to the surrounding skin. If you look at the edges of the wound, you can see new skin already coming in.

Here was the wound 4 and half weeks later after using the Equaide.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/hoof6.jpg


I don't work for the company or have anything to gain from posting those photos. I just know when I find a product that actually WORKS I will sing its praises every where.

Well geezus! This stuff, Equaide looks like the stuff to have. That is amazing! My guy seems to always be getting into some kind of crap. I'm going to see if I can get this stuff to keep on hand.

[HungarianHippo]

I know this post comes long after it is useful for the OP, but just food for thought if this happens to others:

My horse sliced the heel bulb in his RH (also sheet metal! grr so preventable and I blame myself). It was very very deep and his hoof was essentially flapping as he walked. Talk about stomach-turning pics (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2495335390051052354HQuZvL)
No sutures would hold that closed so vet put a cast on for ~ 6weeks with stall rest and bute and antibiotics, and healed absolutely perfectly.

[Ghazzu]

I've had good luck anesthetizing, debriding, suturing what can be sutured and packing the rest and then casting in a shortleg/hoof cast.

I'd second the casting idea.