How's this wound healing? [graphic]

[brightbay]

11 days ago, my horse got himself tangled in wire fencing (I board him). I immediately called the vet who decided no stitches, but debrided the wound. Vet recommended daily betadine flushing and horse was on antibiotics for 7 days. Vet also pressurized the wound, and it does not have any contact with his joint. Lots of antibiotic shots for the poor guy though.

It seems like it’s healing awfully slow, and my vet is now on vacation. He has remained sound throughout. I have had horses my whole life but have never had one get hurt on wire. I’m worried about how deep that puncture is, and while I’m glad it’s not communicating with the joint, I’m concerned about scar tissue and his ability to jump. I’m probably just overreacting…share your horror stories of horses bouncing back from much worse?

Day 1:
https://imgur.com/a/ioyae

Day 6:

https://imgur.com/a/OwWMQ

Day 11:

https://imgur.com/gallery/AScsO

https://imgur.com/a/IllCU

[StormyDay]

I’m not a vet, so hopefully one will come along and tell you their opinion but I am not loving that bottom puncture wound. IMO by day 11 I would hope to see more progress with it. What was your vets reasoning for not stitching? I see several spots I think could have benefitted from a stitch or two.

[brightbay]

I’m not liking the puncture either. It was quite deep and vet did say it would take time to fill in though. We are carefully monitoring for proud flesh, and so far no signs of infection.

Vet said no stitches so that it could drain. Also, the skin was completely gone. I’m not sure if it could have even been stitched.

[Training_Cupid]

It looks pretty darn good to me. My horse had a pretty nasty puncture wound earlier this year and I recall it still being more raw 11 days in though it was worst to begin with. Keep an eye on the granulation tissue as it fills in, you don’t want it rising above the surface of the skin.

[brightbay]

Good to know! We are watching the granulation tissue like hawks. I don’t want it becoming proud flesh, but I also don’t want to start throwing caustic products on there while it’s still filling in where it needs to be.

Other than the IM antibiotics and the diluted betadine flushes, I have been keeping it simple. I don’t want to slow the healing process. Vet said he is a very lucky horse. Could have been much worse.

[visorvet]

Are you bandaging it? Most wounds heal faster under a wrap.

[brightbay]

Currently not bandaging it. I’m not sure how to effectively wrap it given that the puncture is so close to the carpus. The upper part could be bandaged, but I worry about him fussing with it and pulling it down around his hooves.

My bandaging experience is pretty limited and I don’t want to irritate that new tissue, but of course I am not a vet and can’t get ahold of mine to ask again about bandaging.

[Hej]

That looks good to me, too. The wound is the color of healthy flesh, not red and angry looking, not pale and not discolored. Minimal swelling around the wounds, no evident seepage or pus. I think you’re on the right track. (I am NOT a vet, but have seen my share of boo-boos. Keep 'em clean and most will heal just fine.)

[vxf111]

I think it looks like it’s healing. Is it hot/swollen/filled? Smell anything when you sniff down there? Is it still draining?

It looks like it’s on the right track to me.

[vxf111]

Are you cold hosing it gently? And hand walking to keep circulation going? I might if the vet oks that

[brightbay]

No heat or swelling, but it was pretty swollen up through around Day 5. No smell, and no drainage.

Yes, I have been cold hosing before flushing with diluted betadine. He gets anxious in the stall, so the vet said it would be better to leave him in the field with a quiet buddy. He moves and grazes all day, so circulation should be good.

[DrBeckett]

i think it looks great. There is no obvious discharge or major swelling. The skin is closing up really well.

I currently have 3 patients (dogs) that were dog attacks where they lost a ton of skin and we have been doing Sugardine (sugar + betadine) wraps and they have healed really well. It takes a lot of time, though.