Calling all bandaging experts

[Juxtapoze]

My horse has a cut across front of fetlock on hind leg. Can’t be stitched and it opens up every time he bends it. Two weeks out from initial injury. I have to clean & rewrap every 2-3 days.

Vet has me covering wound with gauze, wrapping with roll gauze, then no bows, then polo wraps, cover all with vet wrap (which takes about roll & half), then I duct tape lowest point of exposed hoof to keep shavings & moisture out. Vet initially wanted to keep even pressure and wants joint immobilized as much as possible to keep wound from opening up, but every time I change bandage, horse is able to bend it. I need to have another person hold a hoof to keep my horse from bending injured leg while I wrap.

It’s getting expensive, probably $8 every time I wrap. Any bandaging experts have ideas on how I can simplify a bit to save a little time & money?

(I’m not sure how to posts pics)

[IPEsq]

I’m having a hard time picturing it exactly but why the quilts and polos? I’d just top the rolled cotton with Vetrap and then elastikon at the top and bottom. Do the extra wraps wind up acting like a cast because there are so many wraps?

[OTTB2]

Best advice I can offer is look online for a bulk deal on vet wrap. I had large slice in my horses “arm pit”. It was very hard to get a bandage to stay on and keep the horse still. Yes it gets costly but IMO for things like this its just the cost of horses. They are going to hurt themselves and they will break your wallet beyond repair. What I don’t understand is why polo wraps and not normal standing bandages. That has me baffled. Also you can try twitching him before you take the wraps off. I know twitches don’t work for all horses but its worth a shot.

[DancingArabian]

Have a helper hold the opposite foot so he has to stand on the foot you are working on.

[Juxtapoze]

Here is a pic of the closest thing I could find to my wrap job, minus the vet wrap on top to cover everything: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RnIOGVJSJF8/TT4uCbeNHwI/AAAAAAAAAkE/rWuo5B7o4js/s1600/012211h.JPG
I dont think vet cares if I use polos or standing wraps. I do have back-on-track quick wraps if I could simplify inner layer & use bot wrap for protective outer layer. Just unsure how to make inner layer rub free & how much Leg I would still need to keep wrapped up.

[CHT]

When I had to do a similar wrap, I did the disposable cotton roll base, then vet wrap, and then a no bow, followed by overwraps. I had to tape the overwrap as the wrap was too thick for the Velcro. It won’t save you much, but by using the vet wrap UNDER the no bow, it will take a bit less to complete the wrap.

I really don’t think there is a way to save money other than to look for cheaper places to buy your supplies.

[Juxtapoze]

Yep, polos & no bows are to help immobilize joint. Definitely need to ask my vet how long “pressure bandage” needs be on for. Will do on Monday.

Any idea how many uses I can get out of rolled cotton?

[crosscreeksh]

[QUOTE=Juxtapoze;8447741]
My horse has a cut across front of fetlock on hind leg. Can’t be stitched and it opens up every time he bends it. Two weeks out from initial injury. I have to clean & rewrap every 2-3 days.

Vet has me covering wound with gauze, wrapping with roll gauze, then no bows, then polo wraps, cover all with vet wrap (which takes about roll & half), then I duct tape lowest point of exposed hoof to keep shavings & moisture out. Vet initially wanted to keep even pressure and wants joint immobilized as much as possible to keep wound from opening up, but every time I change bandage, horse is able to bend it. I need to have another person hold a hoof to keep my horse from bending injured leg while I wrap.

It’s getting expensive, probably $8 every time I wrap. Any bandaging experts have ideas on how I can simplify a bit to save a little time & money?

(I’m not sure how to posts pics)[/QUOTE]

Sounds like overkill to me!! I NEVER use polos to wrap…EVER!! Except for exercise. I can’t keep track of your layers.

My treatment would be clean wound…apply topical med…cover wound with 4x4 gauze squares…wrap leg with quilt/no bow standing wrap…wrap bandage with your 6" bandage. Your bandaging looks great…but do a figure 8 around the ankle at least once to keep it from slipping… and the way your bandage is sitting…little or no bedding will get up inside the wrap.

I would be changing the bandage/dressing EVERY day, myself. The wound is going to have to fill in the cut with new tissue…if it heals in a totally immobile position…you will lose mobility when it is healed.

I have another treatment, but won't post it here...We had a 17 hand filly jump a 5'3" round pen panel...bad news was the gate was 5'6"!!  She laid the whole front of her ankle open.   It has healed beautifully!!  (Personal credentials...I'm a surgical RN and was in charge of leg care of a racing stable for 40 years.)  Good luck.  PM me if you want an alternative treatment suggestion.

[hlra11]

I had a very similar injury. We ended up having to cast the leg to heal it as the bugger would not close. I hope you have better luck with yours! Ours actually ran and won on it with it open… Butt eventually we had to bring him home to get it healed !

[CHT]

The reason for the two layers is to keep it immobile.

For my horse, the vet said change every 2 days, but that is a good question for your vet as your horse’s injury is not the same (mine did not have an open wound). I could not reuse the cotton as it would be stretched out of its original shape.

[IPEsq]

I would not use rolled cotton more than once. If you cover the leg down to the coronet with the rolled cotton and Vetrap and then secure at the bottom with something stiffer like elastikon then you shouldn’t get any more movement than you would in a standing wrap. The advantage to putting something like a BOT quick wrap overtop instead of your standing wrap is that it has the strap that runs under the fetlock and does restrict movement some.

[Juxtapoze]

cost wise, rolled cotton or rolled gauze? What’s going to give me the most bang for my buck?

[IPEsq]

My guess is that based on the amount you need and thickness you want, you should use rolled cotton. Ask your vet if they will do an order for you. I bought a case of Vetrap from my vet which he sold to me at cost.

[myrna]

i use maxi pads instead of gauze much easier. or diapers depending on the wound.

[Palm_Beach]

I’d stick with the vet’s advice and recommendations. Maybe look online for better prices? Sounds like a tricky wound, best of luck!!

[VTMorgan06]

My horse just had lower leg surgery, and he needed his leg immobilized for a few weeks after. We did a layer of sterile cotton, then brown gauze, then expandover tape, 2 sheets of sheet cotton, another layer of brown gauze, then a roll of vetwrap, and finally 1/2 a roll of elastikon at the top and bottom to prevent anything from getting in. After the stitches were removed I did just one sheet of cotton, brown gauze and vetwrap under a poll ow with standing bandages.

I’m having a hard time understanding why you would want to wrap with polos, and duct tape doesn’t sound like a great option either. I understand wanting to keep debris out, but you can accomplish that much safer with elastikon.

Good luck!