Best Way To Protect Wound

[The Flying Irishman]

Well Scoobie has an over reach injury on the bulb of his hoof, happened on saturday and because our field is like a bog at the moment I have kept the poor soul in his stable. I am so worried that he'll get an infection but the cut is in an awkward place, really need to turn him out for his own sanity but how can I protect the wound from the mud he would have to stand in? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Kath x

[DavidH]

1) Bandage leg.
2) place plastic bag over hoof and up bandage to act as water proofing
3) Second bandage over plastic bag
4) gaffer tape over hoof and at top of bandages to secure the two and plastic bag together

[The Flying Irishman]

Fantastic, cheers David (OMG its common sense when you think about it Duh!)
Thanks again
Kath x

[teach1]

we have a horse with a similar wound.

have you had the vet out? is it clean? first of all you need to establish the status of the wound. if you think its likely to get infected theh you must keep him in, with as clean bed as you can get it.

we fisrt poulticed our wound as he came in from the field with it, to draw out any dirt. then dressed the wound with an intrasite pad and then padding and vet wrap for three days, and then again for another three days. this help keep the wound clean and helped it on its way to healing. after that we just ensured it was kept clean and applied a spray. I am really happy with the results and we managed to keep it infection free. the vet did prescribe bute and trimedazine.

its difficult keeping your horse on box rest, but it can be made more comfortable by doing things like walking in hand, and turning out in a small area (we have a small indoor schhol) when we did this we ensured we really covered the wound.

hopefully if you give the wound affective early treatment, you shouldn't have to keep him i too long.

by the way love the mane. I have a dog called scooby, and we sold a horse last year called scooby!

[teach1]

OMG Im terrible at typing!

[The Flying Irishman]

Thanks Teach1, only problem I have is that right outside his stable is like a swamp so at the moment I daren't even take him for a little walk to stretch his legs, immediately he did it he limped over to me and I washed the wound and applied antiseptic cream. Was late for work this morning:D as I have spent the morning cleaning his stable and generally fussing him, the wound is clean and seems to healing well although he does still have a little bit of heat in it. May try the plastic bag idea just so as Scoob can get out.
Kath x

PS The scoobie you sold didn't happen to be a 16.2 bay gelding did it?

[teach1]

plastic bag idea sounds great, let us know how you get on with it.

just keep your eye on thew heat and watch for any filling, but if hes moving around he should be fine.

scooby we sold was chestnut thouroughbred.

[The Flying Irishman]

Will do, thanks Teach1

Kath x

[Jessey]

Go to the chemist and ask for either Intrasite or NuGel (both brands of Hydrogel) clean the wound then apply the gel, keep it clean and dry for a short while and it drys to form a rubber like barrier that is waterproof, breathable, anti-bactirial and is like a layer of skin. They use it for people after surgery in akward places as it is really flexable.

J x

[The Flying Irishman]

Thanks Jessey will get some today and apply that before I do the bag thing
Kath x

[Jessey]

If you get it right you shouldn't need the bag over the top, I've used it loads, just rinse over it each day, dry and re-apply over the top, once its looking healed just leave it and it will fall off.

J x

[The Flying Irishman]

So it would be effective against the muddy bog we call a field, oh please say yes cos I think he would freak at a plastic bag on his foot

kath x

[teabiscuit]

you can use gaffa/duct tape by cutting into strips and winding carefully round foot and leg (so it doesn't cut off circulation) until its high up enough to provide a barrier to the mud. its effective at keeping mud and water out, the leg/foot sweats underneath it but it would under a plastic bag too.
good luck

[Jessey]

You'd have to try and see, but I would be fairly confident it would do the job, and being anti-biacterial if anything does get in it should kill any infection before it takes hold. We use it on our selves, our dogs and the horses its wonderful stuff.

J x

[domane]

I saw a picture recently of a baby's disposable nappy covered with a "star" of gaffer tape - although this may have been for poulticing the foot! :p In any case, I was just thinking that the granules in the nappy may help to draw the sweat away???? Or am I starting to get a little silly now..... :eek: ???

[teabiscuit]

i know someone who uses babies disposable nappies to hold a poultice in place on a foot, they are the right shape apparently, and i don't see why they couln't be used to protect a foot wound too-good idea :)